Will Byrnes
asked
Mikel Jollett:
There’s a passage in the book the resonated. “I don’t know, Dad. I’m just scared all the time. Maybe it won’t work out and I’ll look like an idiot for committing so much to this silly thing.” “Good! It’s good to be scared! That’s how you know you’ve risked something." You have made a success of life as a musician, as a music world journalist, and now as the author of an amazing memoir. Sooo, what scares you now?
Mikel Jollett
Honestly, putting out a book like this scares me. I worked so hard at this book — I had 13 drafts. I went over every single word just trying to get the story right. I had this dream of this book I wanted the whole world to read, and then I was just terrified about people reading it because it’s just so personal. I think that’s called “fear of exposure.” It’s terrifying to have all your private thoughts and anguish and vulnerabilities — the things that were uncomfortable to write — out there for the world. That scares me.
The other thing that scares me is becoming a parent. Since the book was published, we have a second kid, a baby girl. My biggest fear in the world is that my kids are going to get hurt. And it’s weird how quickly things shift. The minute my son was born, I thought, I don’t even matter anymore; my job is a vessel of protection for these other creatures.
The other thing that scares me is becoming a parent. Since the book was published, we have a second kid, a baby girl. My biggest fear in the world is that my kids are going to get hurt. And it’s weird how quickly things shift. The minute my son was born, I thought, I don’t even matter anymore; my job is a vessel of protection for these other creatures.
More Answered Questions
Sally
asked
Mikel Jollett:
Are you at all surprised about the response to the book? When I first received the advance copy from the publisher I was just expecting another memoir, enjoyable but nothing special. But I have been so touched by the story (and the writing) that I can’t stop talking about it and it seems that has been the universal response. Did you expect that?
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Mar 09, 2021 07:34PM · flag