The Revealing of Matthew Quick
Matthew Quick (The Silver Linings Playbook coming in Paperback on April 27, 2010) was first introduced in The Divining Wand’s October 7, 2009 post, A Love Story of Two Authors who Made Their Dreams Come True. Matt returns now only a few weeks away from the “official” May release date of his second book, SORTA LIKE A ROCK STAR. And please note that this YA novel (truly for all ages) is scheduled to be presented/reviewed here on Monday, April 26, 2010.
First, however, let’s meet Mr. Quick — a former English teacher — who offers website visitors more than a bare bones “bio.” In fact, here is the “Short Informal” edition:
For several years, Matthew Quick (a.k.a. Q) told his students that they should take risks and do amazing things, because there is potential in all of us. He became known for his impassioned speeches about literature—how it pushes us to live an examined life, and how Thoreau promised success unexpected in quiet hours for those who dare to live the life they imagine, for those who advance confidently in the direction of their dreams.
Because he secretly wanted to be a novelist, but had settled for the more financially stable life of a teacher, Q began to feel like a gigantic hypocrite.
He quit his tenured teaching position, sold his house, floated down the Peruvian Amazon and formed The Bardbarians (a two-man literary circle), backpacked around Southern Africa, hiked to the bottom of a snowy Grand Canyon, soul-searched, and finally began writing full-time in his in-laws’ unfinished basement.
Three years later, he emerged from the basement with a finished manuscript called THE SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. He found an agent, who sold the novel in several countries—before selling the movie rights to The Weinstein Company.
While that’s a good starting background, it’s time to get to know Matt revealed:
Q: How would you describe your life in 8 words?
A: A chance to break the cycle. Word. Word.
Q: What is your motto or maxim?
A: Two mottos hang above my writing desk: ‘Sine Metu’ & ‘The WRITING will save you.’
Q: How would you describe perfect happiness?
A: Feeling as though my hard work and sacrifices have paid off and put good into the world.
Q: What’s your greatest fear?
A: I’m actually quite terrified of dying by snakebite or shark attack. I’m also very afraid of returning to some sort of work-a-day nine-to-five job if my writing career tanks. This motivates me (the fear of failure, not the sharks and snakes, although a writer with whom I have Friday morning coffee is nicknamed ‘The Shark’).
Q: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
A: I love hiking and swimming in the ocean, so I’d like to return to the Galapagos Islands. But I am very happy writing full-time with my wife, Alicia, in our little South Jersey apartment.
Q: With whom in history do you most identify?
A: Sometimes, I feel as though I look like a caveman. I like sitting around fires and looking up at stars. So maybe early American settlers? I don’t know. Maybe the Geico cavemen?
Q: Which living person do you most admire?
A: I greatly admire Gao Xingjian and Haruki Murakami. Both writers seem to live by a strict code, on their own terms, and yet they both have found a way to be relevant and wildly successful.
Q: What are your most overused words or phrases
A: I try not to be a language policeman too much. But I get bored quickly when people talk about what they dislike. It seems much more original (and constructive) to discuss what you love or admire or believe in.
Q: If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
A: I’ve always wanted to play a musical instrument well enough to jam with other musicians, but I have never wanted to practice very much. I’d love to wake up one day and magically be able to play the guitar and sing at the same time.
Q: What is your greatest achievement?
A: Being a full-time fiction writer. I’m not a NYT bestseller, but I write fiction for a living and that has been my goal ever since I was a teenager.
Q; What’s your greatest flaw?
A: I tend to work too much and I overanalyze everything. When I commit to something, I commit 100%; I lock on until the job is done. This often drives Alicia crazy.
Q: What’s your best quality?
A: I’m very loyal. I’m also pretty intuitive, especially when it comes to emotions.
Q: What do you regret most?
A: No regrets. I try to live in the now. You cannot control the past.
Q: If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
A: I’m glad I’m me. Although, I’d like to be a bird so I could fly. Maybe a bird living in the Grand Canyon. What a place to fly, eh?
Q: What trait is most noticeable about you?
A: Probably my bushy eyebrows. Ha!
Q: Who is your favorite fictional hero?
A: George Bailey.
Q: Who is your favorite fictional villain?
A: Alicia and I actually quote Mr. Potter a lot for laughs. “Sentimental hogwash!” “What are you but a warped frustrated young man?” Say those things in a grumpy old man voice and you are sure to smile.
Q; If you could meet any athlete, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
A: I love sports, but I don’t fantasize about meeting athletes. A friend of mine claims that he almost got in a bar fight with Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox. This tale has turned into somewhat of a legend. I’d like to get Kevin’s side of the story.
Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
A: Unless I’m at a lecture, I do not like to be lectured. If someone talks at me without giving me a chance to speak, and/or if it is clear that he/she has no interest in my thoughts, I begin to feel very anxious. And when someone keeps talking at me for a long time without picking up on the many polite social cues I offer, this really makes me feel uncomfortable, and I will usually make up some excuse to leave the room.
Q: What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
A: I love taking walks with Alicia. Is that an occupation?
Q: What’s your fantasy profession?
A: Screenwriter / movie director!
Q: What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
A: Loyalty, sensitivity, and the ability to laugh and make others laugh (without being mean).
Q: If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
A: Pizza (with vegetables on top).
Q: What are your 5 favorite songs?
A: Very hard question. The answer changes every day. And I listen to all kinds of music. Here are the first five songs I recently put on my latest running mix: Peace Sells by Megadeth, Africa by Toto, Rockin’ In The Free World by Neil Young, Citizen Erased by Muse, Titus Andronicus by Titus Andronicus
Q: What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
A: Also very hard to answer…but today I will say, Soul Mountain by Gao Xingjian, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Hamlet by Shakespeare (even though it is a play), Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, Simply From Scratch by Alicia Bessette, and so many more!
Thanks for interviewing me! Thanks everyone for reading along. Please visit me @ http://matthewquickwriter.com
In addition to Matt’s personal invitation, follow this engaging author on Twitter and Become a Fan on Facebook.
Book Giveaway: The Divining Wand is giving away two copies of First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria in a random drawing of all comments left on this post. The deadline is Wednesday, April, 14, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. EDT with the winners to be announced here in Thursday’s post. If you enter, please return on Thursday to possibly claim your book.
I read and thoroughly enjoyed The Silver Linings Playbook and very much look forward to Sorta Like A Rock Star. Quick has a way with stories and characters that is not only entertaining, but inspiring. I enjoyed the above interview and have a great deal of respect for Quick not only as an author, but as a person.
1What a wonderful peek at the life of a true writing couple….. I read The Silver Linings Playbook after I found out that “Q” was Alicia’s husband and as it goes in Virtual Land that was after I discovered Alicia through the Debutante Ball. Whew. I can’t wait for Sorta Like A Rock Star and Simply From Scratch!
2Congrats on all your successes. I love the motto you have over your desk: The writing will save you. So true, my friend!
3I’ve known Matt (Q) since he was very young. I loved TSLP! I cannot wait to read his new book. I loved his responses in his interview. I was most impressed with the fact that he is happy with his life (no regrets) and would choose to be himself. I already knew his three personal qualities. He hasn’t changed! …a wonderful, honest interview.
4I will be adding this to my list to read!
5Matt’s an inspiration. I look forward to reading his work!
Greg Gutierrez
6Wow, lots of tough questions here! Nevertheless, in this interview I see the thoughtful teacher and mentor that I’ve had the priviledge of getting to know over the last few years.
It’s so refreshing to encounter a novel that is as emotionally honest as “Sorta Like a Rockstar.” I hope that it is every bit as “wildly successful” as the novels of Gao Xingjian and Murakami. It’s worthy!
7Thank so much, everyone! I really appreciate the kind words. This was fun!
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