Paul Auster Interview: How I Became a Writer

[@jean-christopheglisse5159]

I am a french person, and I have always wanted to read an entire book in English. When you are not a native English speaker, it's very exhausting because of the idiomatic expressions, the phrasal verbs, the figures of speech. The "New York trilogy" is the first English book I managed to read entirely. I asked myself in retrospect why I had no particular difficulties reading a book in a language that is not mine?-was it the apparent simplicity of the style, a specific musicality?, I don't know, that remains a mystery for me. The most important thing is that Paul Auster involuntarily gave me confidence to read in English- and I have just started to read the great Gatsby....

[@francisca4478]

Faites-le ! Et puis demandez l'avis d'un anglophone pour les passages à améliorer.

[@jamesroberts2282]

I’ve been teaching English to foreign students for 20 years. Your experience is beautifully written and inspirational.

[@tatianaelinoraguilabaier1285]

Thanks for the recommendation. English Is not my nativr language. I'll try with that book.

[@aclark903]

@@tatianaelinoraguilabaier1285 #AgathaChristie, if you are a fan, is also easier than say #Pynchon or #JaneAusten.

[@demichael5815]

You certainly write at the level of an educated native speaker of English.

[@wardah2350]

"One day, in late September 1954...." said in Paul Aster's voice is enough reason for me to start writing that neglected story draft on my study table.

[@leolok2632]

Authenticity that speaks from the heart is Austen‘s signature. If the writer doesn’t cry, the reader doesn’t cry, as Robert Frost said.

[@HaleG9]

Rest in peace, dear Paul Auster. You have been my favorite American writer and will remain so. The world is losing a truly marvellous writer in you. 🖤 Much strength to his family.

[@gastondeveaux3783]

I could listen to this brilliant man speak for hours. So inspiring.

[@aidaburgos9441]

One of the best things i’ve ever watched ❤

[@harpreetkathuria6721]

A wonderful interview!! RIP Paul Auster! The beauty of your works keeps you alive, very much here, on this earth!!

[@michaeljordan-ws8bw]

Love the bit about overdescription and overwriting

[@gardenglory6624]

this man has a very interesting though process towards writing. im fascinated by how writers think and work on their craft and the art of working with words and story telling. I think you can heal yourself with writing sometimes.

[@abayaful]

Paul Auster made me a good reader and very good listener by his expressions and voice rythme. Thank you very much Paul

[@mdanique86]

I can't agree more on what he said about after writing a number of pages, to look back and read it all over again in order to perfect it, correcting or modifying it for a better version of it. This is what I do in my writing work.

[@mrseskasi]

This is just WOW. Listening to Paul recite poetry, with that voice have me an orgasm… I would hear him all day. As a newbie writer, who stumbled into wanting to tell stories, this is gold. Somethings are a revelation and somethings are a confirmation… I am not the only one who feels like this. By the end of it I have been offered so much🙏. And all I can think is- how the hell did I not know about such a mind blowing amazing writer and I need to read what he wrote coz if it’s even remotely like how he spoke … Damn I ve been missing out.

[@SammyJ..]

It is very inspiring to hear how much he had to struggle and fail before he achieved success.

[@tiananesbitt7156]

Interesting how he’s on my tbr and before I found out about Spring I got his most recommended book! 📚

[@blauemadeleine]

Lovely. This must be the best... story?... interview?... I ever heard. I've read all my life. I read several of Paul Austers books. Hearing him talk about his work and views touches me very deeply. I will not forget this!

[@EnligUlv]

His tone and rhythm of speech in delivering this childhood scene is just as artful as written prose. So masterful. “You got no pencil; can,t give no autograph. Sorry kid”. Reality was definitely more raw and unfiltered in the very recent past. We had no choice but to face “harshness” in real time, and from that, you grew up fast. A lot of fret, wincing, and hope goes along in delivering lessons to youth today. Now, if I could come up with the ultimate lesson to force my 31 year old son to pack up and move out of my basement without triggering him 😉

[@TrueGritProductions]

Exactly what I was thinking. I was like, this dude would be interesting to listen to reading an appliance warranty

[@TrueGritProductions]

Regarding your son, have you tried kicking him out? My parents pretty much kicked me out at 18 and I joined the Navy. I just finished writing my second book. It's probably not that great but ACX Audible audio books are pretty hot right now so an author who can talk like the one in the video might have a good shot at selling some copies.

[@Burps___]

Paul Auster, one of the great writers that I have never read. Thanks for the interview, @LouisianaChannel. I'm headed out to the bookstore now to buy a Paul Auster book.

[@nelsonjimenez7939]

Then how do you know he is great? Lol

[@rxseqvartz5679]

FlicksCode believe in me he/she was definitely right..

[@Goldenface30]

@@nelsonjimenez7939the way he talks about writing is a good clue

[@Friendofoe]

I cannot help admiring this gentleman

[@andreabrambati4285]

An interview so similar to his books... That man always tell us something about reality while stories go on and vice versa. Absolutly amazing

[@shakespeare007001]

Miss Paul. One of the finest authors of all time. RIP.

[@fionastempel]

what a wise, intelligent & inspirational man! amazing interview.

[@nicklaudg]

So good to see this. I am reading 4321 now, it made me cry and laugh, cry and laugh...

[@vestbotrio]

This is a wonderful interview, I've seen it many times and found myself coming back to again and again. Thank you Paul Auster for making art for us all

[@DorothyPotterSnyder]

Paul Auster, what beautiful hands you have. What a beautiful way of saying. Swift and lean.

[@gobisGalaxy_star]

Auster always comes across as a such a genuine warm person.

[@Sorobai]

Thank you Paul Auster you are an inspiration and you get better as you go. Have a great year.

[@nelsonjimenez7939]

I'm 27 . I dont know what I want to be. Never had anyone to ask me that. I'm thinking of learning to write cuz I'm a daydreamer. Idk. Amazing interview!

[@choggerboom]

11M Views are you an INFP by chance? I'm a day dreamer too. With no clue what to do. But the places my mind goes I know could be put to valuable use. Considering writing myself

[@itatube7594]

Me too

[@Candide1776]

Definitely do it if you have the passion for it. Remember that it takes time to hone the craft (there are a lot of bumps and bruises on the way, but you will get better each time you write something). www.jdallasbrooks.com/post/_welp

[@holistic7980]

Do u need to know? It'll find you When You are Searching.

[@_aworldthatspoke950]

But it’s too late

[@linesided]

thanks for sharing this - have been a long time fan of Auster since Moon Palace and just finished 4-3-2-1 and Invisible. It's a rare breath on a page that takes you so deep into the story that you forget everything else around you.

[@kutsalkaanbilgin]

this is so full of gems...thanks

[@Loveformula101]

Mr. Auster is a philosopher of words.

[@StephaneMichel-Montréal]

This is a wonderful interview, especially moving today…Thank you

[@joeknecht429]

Amazing! This is exactly why I love Paul Auster’s books - they’re beautifully written and his prose has a certain natural rhythm, which is why it is easy to enjoy! Kudos to Mr Auster for putting so much effort into it. So far I read Invisible and New York Trilogy and currently in the middle of Mr Vertigo. Will be getting into Music of Chance next. So yeah, I’m definitely a fan!

[@ramdularsingh1435]

Here is a brilliant author speaking!!!.... We need to listen to him.....

[@PaperBird]

beautiful interview

[@_aworldthatspoke950]

Vanished away here together

[@baristaccd]

What a beautiful interview 💐📝🤝

[@shambhukattel5165]

Rest in peace you beautiful soul. The world will forever miss you.

[@Souldesouse]

I love swift and lean writings Beautiful and elegant interview

[@gardenglory6624]

yes, what he said about being 'sensitive to writing' is very important.

[@Resenbrink]

I've never read anything by him and I'm only here because he has died and I was curious about him. After listening to this it's clear I have been missing out and need to start reading and listening to his work.

[@levkawright2403]

absolutely love his books and I’m amazed by his way of writing!

[@horseride3538]

Mira Kriley Tell me your favorite book pls

[@davidholmgren659]

Fantastic interview...I gotta get back to my book!

[@marypowell9994]

I love happy endings, thanks for sharing.

[@stefanmovieflixtomasi]

Amazing interview. RIP

[@summer_poems]

Such lovely thoughts. Thank you, Paul Auster.

[@carfan3762]

You have a captivating way of telling your experience and memories. I have read several of your novels, important to me because of how you write your stories, not only because of what your stories consist of. So it was both a surprise and a pleasure to hear you point out your priorities when writing. The Dante anecdote is simply overwhelming ! I have no doubt it is very hard indeed to become a writer - novelist, poet - but what is a certainty is that it is a real treat to be a reader when one has the privilege to read works of writers of your quality. Thank you.

[@annmanzo]

Great interview, thanks, and it even had an arc.

[@thepersonaofgrace]

What a beautiful interview.

[@ShunyamNiketana]

Willie Mays was my hero, too, and it took a trip to the SF airport (long before all of the security, when one could go to any gate to see people off or greet people arriving) late in May's career to get his autograph because it was too hard to get to him after home games, even if you waited a couple of hours. I like Paul's fiction, and this interview is excellent wisdom for artists and writers. I love the idea that artists of any kind must 'confront' their subject and allow the 'beauty' of that to emerge instead of imposing beauty through a verbose, descriptive style. This can apply to any art.

[@einyasha]

amazing interview! simplicity is the key)

[@goldsaj]

"4 3 2 1 " I think, is a masterpiece... I am currently reading it. Paul is a masterful writer.

[@b.c.7741]

Just what I needed to hear!

[@BillNessworthyPhotography]

What an incredible interview!

[@kirand5572]

RIP, beloved writer

[@donaldcohen5196]

The Music of Chance is one of my favourite novels.

[@richardmoglia5628]

This is one great interview

[@jimbrusso]

i love his books! currently reading The Music Of Chance.

[@UserMum7512]

Forever rest in peace Paul

[@labo1386]

true artist

[@strategysprints]

Two pages is great. Three is a miracle.

[@booksandbrews]

I love the story of meeting Willy Mays!

[@Rose_xc90]

That's great. Thank you.

[@Singhamar313]

thank you for this.

[@77777aol]

The mucic, (or musicality of writing), carries meaning.

[@thecinematicmind]

Rest in Piece Paul Auster

[@JeffreyChase-ri7vq]

I've read books where the author gave more information than required. I've also read books where the descriptions were excellent. Just the right amount if words. Hemingway is good at that.

[@Tomangel61]

Willy Mays, beautiful story.

[@Ziburta]

So sad he passed

[@Novacynthia]

Delightful 🦋

[@maliceburgoyne495]

Auster's writing and voice are as placid as lake waves. Try reading his work when you're high. Seriously, reading Auster or Capote's shorts while high is a helluva pleasure.

[@teachermomo2624]

Wow! “That was my apprenticeship.” That’s what I needed to hear about 13 years of writing and not getting published.

[@toryconnolly8788]

Just read his "The New York Trilogy", when taking a break in my own writing and 4th-revision edit of a manuscript. Everytime I took a real break, I'd read another one of Paul Auster's detective stories. But because he often writes about the lives of writers, it reminded me to get back to writing! Once I could put his book down. // Then a strange thing started happening, major elements of his book were already written in my non-fiction book: "Boston", "Columbus Square" (or Columbus Circle!), streets in Brooklyn and Manhattan, "April 1st", which was Resurrection Day (Easter) in 2018. And the synchronicities were building a life of their own. // Then I was reading something he wrote about a friend and his father's death. And while I was reading it, sitting on a Brooklyn park bench, two women walked by and said: "His friend died yesterday. My father went to his funeral today." It was getting spooky! But that's also Auster at his coincidental / synchronistic / parallel-universe best.

[@dragonnaturallyspeakingsup8959]

really nice...

[@nbme-answers]

wow ! thanks to the man who wrote .. The Story of My Typewriter ! (good paintings in there by Sam, too :)

[@sattarabus]

Paul's incidental sidelight on the nexus between writing and walking is very interesting. Consider Dickens and his long walks home. He references a Russian writer who ponders the number of shoes Dante must have worn down while taking breaks from his Divine Commedia, Did anyone catch the name of the Russian scholar ?

[@danielgentelev7008]

Yes of course. Its Osip Mandelstam! Very good one!

[@darkmoonrising400]

that is the most beautiful home

[@m_bat-f9l]

I just heard he passed away , RIP Auster 😔

[@mubalamashukuru4879]

I'm just listening this tragedy from the CBC News. He left us goodness

[@mentoncouve]

I just found out today that Paul Auster died. I loved his book "The Music of Chance". I also teared up upon hearing this story. R.I.P.

[@大下亨]

he has a great sense of humor

[@kevgh3869]

I'm heart broken cause no one had a god damn pencil for an autograph for the kid. Serious it's one of the saddest stories I've ever heard. I just got to the part where he got the signed baseball 52 years later happy ending.

[@KessieKessie]

Me too!

[@TheWilDOn31]

The happy ending is his books. The fact that he carried a pencil with him because of that, is the most beautiful part of a childhood bad experience.

[@corkygobshite9941]

Just read "Book of Illusions" very well written

[@markjondavies]

advice is always great but remember, if everyone would follow it, there would be no James Joyce ❤

[@terrystrong9787]

A complete mini course in writing in a little over 17 minutes

[@ВалентинаКоваленко-е5ъ]

Я дважды перечитала роман 4321 . Восхитительно. А дать почитать кому-то еще не могу, потому что боюсь, что не поймут. Это ведь надо оторваться от земли. А не каждый это может.

[@DarthZeromus]

From 13:33 to 14:16, I felt he was describing my feelings for Cormac McCarthy's writing.

[@catacombeaperte]

Mine for 'The Corrections' of Franzen. Terrific writer and amazing book, but oh man, it could have been 300 pages long instead of 600.

[@choggerboom]

1000%. Cormac is likely my favorite author, but he has a tendency of completely choking out the reader.

[@spongebob03]

13:33 That how I felt while reading John Updike.

[@m.atabouti80]

To all of you watching this documentary because you want to be a writer. You already are one. Maybe you will never be published and maybe your craft hasn’t developed yet, but no one except yourself can take away from you that you are a writer.

[@jamesoconnor9452]

Auster is a modern master of postmodernism.

[@ashishbasnet181]

we cannot be a lazy artist

[@LolaLoopsAndStitches]

He reminds me the actor Raúl Juliá

[@jean-michelperrenoud4080]

εισαι μεγαλος Mr Auster!

[@gk411]

That was fantastic 🖋 👏 👏 ♥ he has a. Robert mitchum thing going on there ✌️street wise and dogged 📚 🇮🇪 2020

[@elcastillo92]

What notebooks do.you think he uses? Those look pretty big

[@MagicSamaritan]

He has said elsewhere that he uses Clairefontaine, Classic clothbound, size A4 with graph paper. He writes very small within the graph paper. (You can see the graph if you pause the video above at 5:16 for a closeup.) They're French. Goulet Pens sells them for around $12 each plus shipping. Here's their link. www.gouletpens.com/products/clairefontaine-classic-clothbound-a4-notebook-graph?variant=11884611928107 The banner across the top of their web pages said there can be weeks of shipping delay. The paper quality is particularly well suited to using a fountain pen as Auster does. Presently Goulet is having shipping delays as they are sorting out safety for employees during COVID. The size is 8.3 by 11.7 inches. So they are a little taller than 8.5 by 11 standard printer paper. I've always wondered if the one in this video is a little bigger or not.

[@elcastillo92]

@@MagicSamaritan Oh thanks for that! i do, too, prefer graph paper but have never tried any clairefontaine. i'll buy a couple once this pandemic is over just to try them. thank you!

[@jadeyjung]

52 years

[@sambsadashiv108]

52 years... 52 years... 52 years

[@AceHardy]

📙💯

[@authoranulal]

Wow

[@HomeAtLast501]

But did Willie remember the incident?

[@EMMETproxy]

Woah

[@lyndonkessler4766]

So, you think things don't work out the way they are supposed to? Ask Willy Mays. He may change your mind. Eh?

[@ritahorvath8207]

. ⚘🕊

[@ahmadgamal3753]

what was the name of the russian poet he talked about in 6:49? kzbin.info/www/bejne/pn3Lh52pmN-WmJo