Rick Moody has enjoyed something of a rock star status in my old writer’s group, and is one of our most influential writers. I’m thrilled he took the time to share his writing life with us.
Who has been a major influence on your writing?
James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Virginia Woolf, Herman Melville, Thomas Bernhard, Stanley Elkin, Lydia Davis, Don DeLillo.
Can you give us insight into your creative process?
It changes a lot. The insight I offer you is this: there’s no one process, and as soon as I imagine some approach to generating work is foolproof, it becomes suddenly worthless to me, and I have to start all over again. Which is disappointing in a way. I feel as though I have to keep inventing the wheel.
How old where you when you first started writing?
Well, I started a few things in the 11-12 range, but I would say I didn’t really finish a story that was recognizably my own until 16.
Can you share an example of overcoming adversity to keep your writing dream alive?
My first novel was rejected something like 18-20 times before it finally found a home.
What project(s) are you working on now?
A new novel, a book of short stories, more essays on music, some poems about American presidents, maybe even a play . . .
What is something about you that writers and readers may not know?
I have a sideline as a not terribly effective songwriter and musician.
About the Author
Rick Moody is the author of five novels, three collections of stories, a memoir, and, most recently, a collection of essays entitled ON CELESTIAL MUSIC. He also plays in The Wingdale Community Singers, whose recently released album is entitled NIGHT, SLEEP, DEATH.
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