What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Killer Kowalski Takes the Mat?
I knew I was going to write this novel from the time that some of the events occurred. I had been a voracious reader since turning nine, always wanted to be a writer, and thought it would make a moving story–and one that hadn’t been told very often. Still, it took several decades and about eight other novels before I got to it. In my defense, one of the novels—which, in one version, was longer than a thousand pages—I consider to be an ancestor of Killer Kowalski.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Killer Kowalski Takes the Mat, what would they be?
Biggie can sing “Where Do the Children Play?” and sound almost like Cat Stevens, as long as he sings along with the record. Had it existed at the time, I think he’d like “Superman’s Song,” by Crash Test Dummies. I’m pretty sure Gloria Serpentino would love “Pink Pony Club.”
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I write (and read) character-driven literary fiction. I’d also read anything by Michael Connelly and was once addicted to Raymond Chandler and his better descendants. A reviewer once compared me (sort of) to Bellow and Roth. I’m not sure if it was intended as praise, but I took it that way.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
My perennials are All the King’s Men and Endless Love, to my mind two of the great novels of the 20th century, both of which I read about ten times when I was in my twenties, and would read aloud from to warm up before writing. I’m curious if I’d have the patience to read them now.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader, Robert Frost famously said. But aside from the emotional scenes, I really enjoyed writing the early scenes where Biggie and Gloria were feeling each other out over the phone, Biggie often misunderstanding (amusingly, I hope), but obviously enthralled.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I used to read out loud before I’d write, from books I wish I’d written, imagining I was before a large, adoring audience. I thought that helped sharpen my ear quite a bit.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Apropos of a coming-of-age novel, I’ve always been taken by something Iris Gaines says in Bernard Malamud’s first novel, The Natural: “I believe we have two lives, Roy, the life we learn with, and the life we live after that.”
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Sometimes the people who will matter most to you are the people you’d least expect. Also, trying is better than not trying. Also, at the risk of sounding even more hackneyed and clichéd, it really is the journey that counts. And doing the right thing is its own reward. Finally, wrestling is a singularly demanding sport that deserves to be much more popular.
Sign up for our email and we’ll send you the best new books in your favorite genres weekly.
