Devoted to publishing, publishers and to those who craft the written word

Besides playing in the rock band, Richmond Fontaine, our special guest this week has worked as a warehouse worker, house painter, and writer. 

Today, Willy Vlautin explains how he survived the lean years to write his first novel, The Motel Life--a story that can teach us a lot about endurance and balance as a fledgling writer.

Welcome to my deceptively simple feature, Five Easy Questions. In the spirit of Jack Nicholson's mad piano player, I run a weekly set of quality interviews with writing pioneers—delivering some practical, unexpected advice about web writing.

Jason Boog:
You've had countless jobs to support yourself over the years, but your band and your writing have been your focus. How did you survive the early lean years when nobody believed in you and you were working too many jobs? Any advice for young artists looking to balance their work with a pile of other commitments?

Willy Vlautin:

I hadn't had much success with music or writing for years and years. Maybe 20 years. Continue reading...

I guess more than anything I just love records and novels and I've always wanted to be a part of them. I wanted to have my record in the store with all the others.

I wanted to be a writer because writers helped me so much getting through life, and really that's what's kept me doing it. It's saved my life. Writing songs and stories have kept me from losing my mind. Without them I would have had a much rougher ride.

Plus, even if you're a commercial failure, music and writing give you gifts. The only girls I've meet have been through music and writing. It's harder than hell to meet a girl when you're in a warehouse surrounded by guys who are into nothing but cars and getting loaded.

And music, you get to play with guys who are like minded. Who like music, who accept you more or less if you're a weirdo. Because you're supposed to be a weirdo if you're in a band.

So it's a great place to feel less lonely, it gives you friends and a place to be. So that alone is worth it for me. Success is just great because it gets everyone else off your back who thinks you're a bum.