George Pelecanos Interview
Jan 2002

http://www.georgepelecanos.com

1) Your work has been described in many ways. How would YOU describe it?

Crime fiction with an emphasis on character and naturalism. Charles Taylor of the NY Times called what I do "urban reportage." That's not bad, either.

2) I've heard rumors of King Suckerman being made into a movie. Any news on that?

After several years of development, the rights have been returned to me.

3) I read somewhere that you initially set out to write just one novel. Things have obviously gone well enough for you to continue to write. Do you ever find your self surprised to be making a living as a writer?

All the time. I don't want to say I'm lucky, because a whole lot of hard work got me here. But I do know how fortunate I am.

4) Your books have a real honesty to them. How much of this is because of your relationship with the city you live in?

I feel like I'm leaving a cultural and historical record of D.C., so I want it to be as accurate as possible. And I do love this town.

5) Do you think being a father affects your work?

Absolutely. My world view as changed considerably since I started raising kids. And because of that change--okay, call it a maturation--the books have gotten better. 6) What kind of jobs did you have before writing?

Cook, dishwasher, bartender, stereo and appliance salesman, shoe salesman, advertising director, retail manager, construction. I've pretty much done it all, and had a good time doing it. All the physical work in my past has helped me appreciate the gig I've got now. Which is why I can't stand being around writers who complain; yes, this can be an intense, mentally demanding way to make a living. But I'm well paid, and my back doesn't hurt at the end of the day. 7) Do you like doing the conventions and signings?

I like doing readings and signings, and I like to meet the people who read my books. The travel can be a drag, but once I'm off the plane, I'm into it. Because of what I do for a living, I've managed to see a great deal of this country and much of the world. Again, the word fortunate comes to mind.

8) I know that Hell To Pay has some of the same characters as Right as Rain , can you tell us anything else about it?

Strange and Quinn go even deeper into the inner city in this one. Like many of my recent books, Hell focuses on the exploitation of disadvantaged kids. Strange in particular goes through some serious changes here. I'm very happy with this one.

9) Will we see Nick again?

Nick Stefanos will be a significant character in a novel called Soul Circus, which I recently completed. It's the third in my urban
western trilogy featuring Strange and Quinn, and will be published in 2003.

10) Who are some of your heroes?

Nobody famous. My heroes are the mentors, teachers, big brothers and sisters, and coaches who help at-risk kids in the cities. They generally go unnamed and their deeds are unsung. In the absence of any true government assistance, these people step up to the plate.

11) People sometimes feel that they know authors through reading their work. Is there anything about you that would surprise people?

Yes.

12) What would make a perfect weekend for you?

Each year, on the Saturday of Super Bowl weekend, my wife and I drive down to Maryland's eastern shore and get a room in an old hotel in a small riverside town. We spend the afternoon in a quiet bar and in the evening have a nice dinner. The next day we stop for crab soup in Kent Island, then head home, where I hang out with my kids and watch the football game. That to me is the perfect weekend.

13) What are some of your favorite movies?

I'm a sucker for just about any Western: Peckinpah, Leone, Ford. Don Siegel, Scorcese, Robert Aldrich, John Sturges, Kurosawa...do you see a pattern here?

14) You are very popular in the UK, and Europe. Why do you think that is?

My swarthy good looks?

15) Who are some of your favorite authors?

The novels that have haunted me most in the last couple of years were The Death of Sweet Mister, by Daniel Woodrell, and Ask the Dust, by John Fante. All the Kings Men remains my favorite American novel. The Burglar, by David Goodis, is my favorite crime novel. The Fred Exley trilogy. The Last Good Kiss, by James Crumley, has to be the finest detective novel written in my lifetime. We would be here all day if I started listing crime novelists I like, and even then I'd still piss some people off. Let's just say that I'm a fan.

16) Your books have a vividness to them that is similar to noir movies an books. Are you influenced by the classics?

I'm influenced by all the popular arts: movies, books, and music. I think most novelists of my generation, if they were honest, would tell you the same.

17) Do you think the internet has helped authors become more accessible to the readers? And, do you have a website?

http:/www.georgepelecanos.com

It took me long time to come up with the name.

18) Drugs play a role in most of your work. Do you think its realistic for people to think that the problem of drugs can actually be stopped?

Drugs are a "problem" because they're illegal. Any American politician who presents a sane solution to the drug problem is a one-term politician. So the answer is No.

19) How do you approach the research for your books?

Each book is different. For this last one I hung out with ATF guys, rode with cops, and walked the neighborhoods I was writing about. Sat in bars and listened to people talk. For the period books I do some serious library-time and oral history work. For what I'm trying to do the key is to stay engaged; breathe the air and feel the dirt, if you know what I mean.

20) What's the hardest part of being an author?

Navigating the first one hundred pages of a manuscript. Convincing yourself that you've done it before and you can do it again.

21) The comic fan in me wants to know, did you ever read comics, and if so what were your favorites?

War comics. You know, the WWII, Sergeant Rock stuff where the grunts are shooting the snipers out the trees. As the snipers fall they scream, "Aiyeeeee!" I'm not a big sci-fi or fantasy guy. I could never get my head around it, and still can't. I like some of the modern comics; the Preacher series is pretty cool.

22) If you were able to travel back in time and talk to your self as a
teenager, what advice would you pass on?

Aside from some trouble I got into, I don't have too many regrets. All in all, I had big fun. That's what teenagers ought to do.

23) What's the one thing always in your refrigerator?

Kalamata olives and feta cheese. Cold beer for me and milk for my kids