David Sedaris - On His Life as a Writer, Humor, and His Public Persona (2013 Interview)

An interview with humorist and best-selling author David Sedaris on writing his public/private persona, why busboys have the best stories, and finding humor in the painful. His latest collection of essays is called "Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls."
Recorded for The Public in Toronto, Canada. For more interviews subscribe to our podcast bit.ly/1ag9CgE
or visit www.thepublicradio.org or

[@diogesesmore9874]

I believe I’ve heard/listened to all his books and I absolutely adore the man.

[@timweatherill3738]

Mr. Sedaris is a genuinely pleasant, nice man. I was lucky enough to meet him once, very briefly, and he made a very positive impression. He's one of those people you'd want at your ideal dinner party.

[@davidborg1974]

It was lovely to hear a real conversation, rather than a tirade of trivial questions. thank you

[@JIMTHOMASification]

So glad to hear that you have quit smoking. I am pleased to known that we should have you around for many more years (& decades) to come! Congrats on your monumental accomplishment!

[@ladyleesutter]

in his diaries, David talks about a book tour when a woman who picked him up at the airport to take him to the booksigning noticed the bookstore was packed, and said, "Goodness, they must be having a sale." There were 400 people there and he signed for more than 3 hours. Afterwards, driving him back to the airport, the same woman said "it was nice that so many people happened to be in the store." Amazing that someone could be so clueless.

[@everetthuxley8605]

You prolly dont give a shit but does anybody know a tool to get back into an Instagram account..? I was stupid lost my password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me!

[@RatTaxi]

We will ALWAYS read your books, David.

[@sjaanmorrow8317]

Absolutely. David Sedaris is a gem.

[@crimsonjack8617]

Thanks for the "you need distance from a situation" comment, It's exactly what I needed to hear at this particular time. In time, every thing will be, if not alright, better.

[@snowpdx]

+crimson jack Did it work?

[@ladyleesutter]

I love that after 20 years David still gets such a thrill out of seeing his name when he's published in The New Yorker, and that he wants his 20-year-old self to see it.

[@karolinaostman7724]

one of my favourite authors, this was a great interview.

[@tomasfish4422]

This was a really good interview. Sedaris manages to talk for minutes about a ten second question!

[@mollkatless]

+Tom Fish yep, that pretty much is what an interview is

[@lockergr]

Kudos to the interviewer for getting such a great interview out of David and asking really great questions as well. I also appreciated finding out about Jonathan Goldstein because I don't even know who that is but I'm about to go look it up!

[@RayCee]

person who answers honestly and modestly with little to be modest about

[@carolyntalbot947]

He's right. All of your life's experiences can be mined if you're a writer; its just a matter of waiting until you have the right amount of distance from the subject. Everything is funny someday.

[@j0eyp0ps]

David Sedaris is probably the best human being in the world.

[@timweatherill3738]

Funny thing, I think you're right. He gives a great deal; much of what he shares has surprising depth, and might be, for himself, rather painful and revealing. Yet he never stoops to being maudlin.

[@dondelaney2686]

I just discovered him at my book club. . He is Fabulous., funny and very interesting .

[@clerinephillip6532]

I really love your books.

[@FurbyGender]

I just found out about David when someone compared my thoughts/comedy to that of David's. I find his stuff very funny now that I have heard it so I guess it's true.

[@CF-ei5oz]

I love his work but Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk threw me. It was brutal and made me cry especially The Motherless Bear. I'm wondering what was the deal with that essay collection. ??

[@ellenms7703]

😎

[@josephedwarddowling5919]

David is very forgiving of his father who sounds like a real prick.

[@brianwagner8010]

Picture Chuck Palahniuk?

[@benmilne11]

Hmm yeah yeah maybe or here’s a thought for you - Might it be David Sedaris?! (It’s David Sedaris)

[@benmilne11]

Hi Brian. It is a picture of David Sedaris but i agree there is a bit of similarity between him and Chuck Palahniuk. I hadn't actually heard of Chuck Palahniuk until this post but i enjoyed the movie Fight Club so I have now bought a couple of his books to read so thanks for that!

[@apexxxx10]

At beginning... Please, ASAP do change the lame image of the writer with a Marlbore light on right ear. It's so sad. Kiitos, anyhow

[@gypsyclipper5277]

John K Lindgren You need to listen to all of his books. He moved to Japan with his boyfriend Hugh to quit smoking. When you are engulfed in flames. For the first 20 years of his career he couldn't write without a drink or a cigarette.He taught a college course and brought ashtrays and cigarettes for his students.

[@aliciam6725]

I’m such a lightweight. If a story doesn’t come together for me on the first to third try (and that’s probably on the same day) it’s somehow the story’s fault.

[@beritbranch2436]

:)