Don't miss Eric-Shabazz Larkin in the KidsLIVE! Author series. He will read from his new book A Moose Boosh at the Classon’s Point Library on May 5. We asked the author a few questions to get to know him before the event, read his responses below.
When did you decide to become a writer?
I became a writer because my big brother was a writer first. He used to sneak me into sketchy open mic poetry clubs that I was too young for. They would unleash their poems like mystical cupid darts across the room and each word inspired love and passion and anger and laughter and other things I was too young for. I wanted that kind of power. So I started writing poems of my own.
Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?
I carry a book and pen in my back pocket at all times. When you live in NYC, the best time to write is when you’re among the craziness of the city. There is literally inspiration everywhere.
Why do you write?
I write to escape reality. My imagination world is far more interesting than the real world.
Where do your ideas come from?
I steal all my ideas from everyone. I’ve never written anything original. My ideas are all exaggerations of things I’ve already seen in my, oh so ordinary life.
Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors?
I didn’t read much as a child, I started reading when I went to college. Someone told me that leaders are readers and I decided I wanted to be both. This is tragedy to me—a child who did not read. But the truth is, there are so many kids who have the same issue as I did. To me, kids books were boring and un-relatable. I suppose that is why it is so rewarding for me to try to breathe life back into them again.
Do you work out an outline or plot or do you prefer just to see where an idea takes you?
For me, everything starts with the idea. Once I get the big idea, it’s all about slowly peeling it like an onion, until we get to something interesting in the middle.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
A book can be written in a few days. But perfecting the book takes forever.
What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?
Timelines and deadlines are hard.
Where can you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
It’s a serious thing to ponder the future. I would contend it’s a spiritual act. No one knows what their future holds. The past and the future are figments of our imaginations. But if I were to dream, I would dream that In the future I’m making art and the world a better place.
What is your favorite motivational phrase?
Impossible is a big word thrown around by small men. —Muhammad Ali