I am able to do the basic moves of contact juggling. (Side Note: The inventor of contact juggling, Michael Moschen, is actually standing behind Bowie in this scene, doing the moves through the great man's jacket.)
2. What is your nickname?
My name is sorta my nickname. I'm Tommy: always have been, always will be. But my birth certificate technically says Thomas.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Flying. It's ridiculous we do that on a regular basis.
4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
So good it makes the angels cry tears of envy.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Sedulous, scrupulous, sensuous, sinuous, serendipitous
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Levin from Anna Karenina. He ends up with Kitty, who sounds cute, plus he has a deep revelation about the interconnectedness of all beings. Rad.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
1925 New York, so I could hang out with my dream woman, Zelda Fitzgerald
8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?
Buy me some video games. Now.
9. Who is your greatest influence?
My ten-year-old self. That kid was inspiring. (But seriously? Probably Philip Pullman, in terms of directly inspiring the kind of work I want to make.)
10. What/who made you start writing?
Pulpy fantasy novels, particularly the work of R.A. Salvatore and Piers Anthony. It's the truth!
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Promissory. People often forget we have this adjective form of the verb "to promise." It's so useful, plus it trips off the tongue.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I'd want something long, for the sake of variety. The kid in me says Lord of the Rings, which is technically one novel. The adult in me says La Recherche du Temps Perdu (i.e. Proust), which is also technically one novel.
Tommy Wallach is a Brooklyn based author of young adult fiction. His novel We All Looked Up was a New York Times bestseller. His most recent book is Thanks for the Trouble is published by Simon & Schuster. Visit Tommy's website and Facebook page for more information about his books and author events. You can also listen to Tommy's music on Spotify.
