Alison Bechdel

[November 5th, 2008]

You really should read: Fun Home

Ever wonder why Alison Bechdel’s excellent lesbo-centric comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For isn’t in Just Out anymore? It’s due in large part to the fact this fringe artist is becoming a much sought-after graphic novelist. With the ’06 release of her poignant autobiographical Fun Home, A Family Tragicomic, Bechdel crossed over into the mainstream, receiving critical praise from such diverse sources as Entertainment Weekly and The Times of London. Now, Bechdel is taking a breather from DTWOF to finish up her new hand-penned memoir, Love Life: A Case Study. BYRON BECK. Comics & Politics, 1 pm Saturday, Nov. 8. University of Oregon Stage; 11 am Sunday, Nov. 9. Powell’s Books Stage.

What’s your personal writing ritual?
A ritual?! No one told me you were supposed to have a ritual! God, I knew I should have gotten an MFA.

What are your favorite themes to write about?
Alienation.

The most beautiful word in the English language is:
Skeleton.

What author made you want to pick up a pen in the first place?
Louise Fitzhugh’s Harriet the Spy.

Fight Club time: If you could fight one author (or critic), who would it be and why?
Spain Rodriguez! For an annoying cartoon he once did about lesbians and dildos.

Name a book that you think is highly overrated. Be honest.
Oh, man. I can’t do it. I’ll fight Spain if you want, but I don’t like being snarky. In public.

Dream project:
Getting paid to sit around reading my old journals.

Most recent nightmare:
I was being asked in public to name a book that I think is highly overrated.

Your cure for writer’s block:
I take off all my clothes and stand under a brisk spray of hot water. I have a special room all set up for this.

Pessimistic question: Will you keep writing even after people stop reading?
If I have enough energy after scavenging for food and firewood, absolutely.

Optimistic question: Kittens? Discuss.
I hope I would never eat a kitten, even if I was half-starved from scavenging for food all day.