“Not everyone who’s lucky is talented and not everyone who’s talented is lucky.” –Tom Bissell
In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Tom talk about Tom’s lack of travel experience when he joined the Peace Corps, and how he dealt with his early failures (2:30); the role that luck (as well as craft and obsessive reading) has played in his writing career (8:00); how, as a writer, to turn real-life people, including yourself, into convincingly human and honest nonfiction “characters” (16:00); Tom “failures” as a writer, the challenges of screenwriting, and the difficulty of writing books that sell (38:30); the book that Tom is most proud of, and how to get out of the success/failure dichotomy as a creative person (47:00); plus a post-interview segment about drinking in Paris (56:00).
Tom Bissell is an American author, journalist, critic, and screenwriter. He is the author of such books as Chasing the Sea, Apostle, God Lives in St. Petersburg, Extra Lives, and The Disaster Artist.
Notable Links:
The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.
Note: We don’t host a “comments” section, but we’re happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.
Why dinosaurs matter (also: Rolf fact-checks the dino book he wrote at age 7)
What Matt Green discovered by walking every single street in New York City
A personal history of being a lifelong pro-sports fan (Super Bowl special)
The power of small choices across decades: The Sgt. John Monk story
Chris Guillebeau on goals, writing books, and travel as alt-university
How to balance a life of artistic ambition with sanity and happiness
Indonesia: An argument for (and essential tips on) traveling the archipelago
Why Noah Baumbach’s “Kicking & Screaming” might be the best movie ever
Deviate Christmas Special: Celebrating the Sears Wish Book [Rebroadcast]
Bonus: On the therapeutic uses of reading classic literature and scripture
What narrative therapy is, and how it can make your life feel more coherent
America’s most solemn historical sites rarely offer an honest take on history
Author Alex Banayan on seeking mentors for life (and writing) guidance
On the under-appreciated reality of revelry, sex, and misadventure in travel
The world’s cheapest destinations, and why (besides savings) they’re great
Paul Theroux on aging, slow travel, and the inherent complexity of Mexico
Bonus: Storytelling for the screen: A lecture from the Paris Writing Workshop
Benjamin Percy on how comics and movies teach the best lessons about telling stories
Why travel guidebooks still matter (and how to best use them on the road)
An insider’s guide to traveling America’s National Parks in the 21st century
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
Concrete Pastures Podcast
The Atlas Obscura Podcast
Points Talk with the Travel Mom Squad
Travel with Rick Steves
Frequent Miler on the Air