Ask Wednesday: James Knudsen on writing his monthly column

How do you do it?

Edited by Morris Dean

As we pointed out two weeks ago, in republishing our December 2012 interview of columnist James Knudsen, he has now written 28 “Loneliest Liberal” columns, all of which have been thoughtfully written and enjoyable to read. And he has submitted them with such regularity and punctuality that we have never had to bug him! It has been marvelous, actually. And finally we could stand it no longer. We had to ask him how he does it. [Our questions are in italics.]

How do you so regularly and punctually come up with your monthly column?
    Well, I just figure that’s what’s expected. I think theatre life is helpful in this situation – opening night is going to come, you’re going on stage whether you’re ready or not.

Whenever we’ve requested submission a few days earlier than usual, you have never balked but always smoothly complied. What about your process renders it so moveable, so adaptable?
    Adaptable, yeah that sounds about right. I can offer the war story, actually just “boot camp” where we constantly had to change direction, shine shoes...no wait, brass...no, shoes. But, it also doesn’t hurt that, as a general rule, I don’t have many concrete plans.

How many days prior to submission (usually two or three days prior to publication) do you actually start writing?
    I really don’t want to answer this question. I procrastinate at an olympic level. There have been months when it’s the night before and I’m tapping away. Sometimes I’ll have a tumbler of bourbon in an effort to channel Raymond Chandler, which probably doesn’t work as I’ve never read Chandler.

Do you every feel blocked?
    I don’t think blocked is the word. Several months ago I went to a VA hospital to get some poison oak treated and while I was there asked to speak with someone in the psych department. A cell phone picture of my room that looks like...well, the male nurse took one look and said, “yeah, that’s not good.” Next thing you know I’m on medication for Attention Deficit Disorder – or for being 12 years old, I’m still not sure. Anyway, the point is I get stuck, which is different – at least in my stuck mind – from blocked. A good, simple daily routine would probably be just as effective but, I learned when I took swimming in college that I despise routine.

How have you always come up with something anyway?
    If, IF I can get myself seated behind my laptop and start typing, I can produce something. Years ago, 1987, I was taking English 1 at Santa Monica College. My professor, a “Summer of Love” blonde in gauzy sun dresses, described my writing as having a “conversational” style. Having only taken enough English courses to graduate, I don’t know what that means. It probably means I take the conversation I’m having with myself in my head and put it on the page. As long as my brain keeps jabbering away I have content. I’m now considering chaining myself to the chair and seeing how many best-sellers come out if I just keep talking to myself...silently.

Have you any as-yet-uncharted subject areas that you plan to write about at some point?
    Change the word “plan” to “want” or “would like” or “would if asked” and there’s probably quite a few. One thing I think it would be useful to achieve is a clearer picture of what a “lonely liberal” is. I worry that too many months go by without my having written a piece that addresses that self-imposed label. I think it still applies to some areas of my world view but, as the conservative movement continues to veer off the edge of the flat world they live on, I find very little common ground. More and more I think I’m just wary of extreme views from my side of the political divide. Vaccinations, margarine is one molecule from plastic, idiotic stuff like that. Then I’m just “The Youngest Curmudgeon.”

What else did you expect or want to be asked about your column?
    This is the hardest part of being on the Moristotle & Co. staff; the unexpected follow-up question. Well, that and the high caliber of minds I share column space with. Just yesterday I had to look up lycee. I thought it was a tropical fruit.

Copyright © 2015 by Morris Dean