|
(a fictitious and informative, if not amusing, interview)
Mr. Question: So, what makes you an expert on gay dating?
Arthur Wooten: I'm gay and...I date?
MQ: But On Picking Fruit is fiction, correct?
AW: Of course. Every single name has been changed to convict the guilty.
MQ: I actually read your novel...
AW: Why, thank you.
MQ: ...And found myself laughing out loud. Does one have to be gay to relate to it?
AW: Are you gay?
MQ: Ah...ah...no! No! I don't think...No, I'm not gay!
AW: Okay. Well, you answered your own question. Many straight people have commented that the story, in particular the
dates, are universal. Everyone enjoys On Picking Fruit.
MQ: What makes it different from the other humorous gay books out there?
AW: It's funny? What's not out there is a hilarious, sexy, heartbreaking story with a lead character that's hot and middle-aged.
MQ: And who happens to be HIV positive. I like the way you handled it in the storyline.
AW: I wanted to portray a real man dealing with a very important issue. But it's so integrated into his life that it's
not a main storyline. He's living with it, as are many of thousands of people and he's still thriving.
MQ: Many times while reading it I found myself overwhelmed with sidesplitting laughter and then you'd pull an emotional
punch out of nowhere and...I'm crying. Then, you'd turn a corner and I'm laughing, again. How did you orchestrate such a
challenging feat?
AW: Pure luck. (laughter) Honestly? Hard work.
MQ: Why should media people interview you for their columns, radio or television programs?
AW: Blackmail?
MQ: Seriously.
AW: Bribery!
MQ: I'll accept that. And you smell good, too.
AW: You sure you're not gay?
MQ: Ah...um...I hear you're in the middle of writing the sequel to On Picking Fruit. How is that going?
AW: Terrific! But in regard to research, I have to move out of town.
MQ: And why is that?
AW: I've dated everyone in NYC?
To Purchase On Picking Fruit and Fruit Cocktail:
|
