Pump Up Your Book Chats with Fiction Author Chris DeBrie

Chris DeBrie lives in the gentle mountains of Roanoke, Virginia. “Like living in a big bowl made of leaves,” he says. He grew up in North Carolina, living on a steady diet of sports, stand-up comedians, and literature. DeBrie explored high school life with As Is, and published the first in a series of “comic book novels” with Selective Focus. This year, he releases Shakespeare Ashes, writing in alternating first-person.

Thank you for this interview, Chris.  Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later?  Do you remember your first published piece?

I still have a 16-page illustrated book I made in second grade. The cover was made of leftover wallpaper. Green. It was about a boy whose nickname was Forkhead, because his skull was shaped like one. Forkhead and his best friend somehow go from the schoolyard, to becoming 12-year-old astronauts… The first things I wrote for an audience were for school newspapers. I did sports coverage and commentary, record reviews, editorial cartoons. I always felt constrained, and would inject some humor into straight news stories. Lots of my lines got edited out before publication. That happened even when the editors liked what I’d done. I saw quickly that my style was a bit off of mainstream.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

Probably the most frustrating thing has been away from the actual story creation–the whole act of promoting myself. That doesn’t come naturally to me. It has been like learning a foreign language. My reward comes from making someone laugh their ass off at something I wrote.

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life?  Do you have support?

I’m single, and because of that I can keep strange and extended writing hours. I do my best work at night. More things seem possible when it’s dark and almost everyone else is sleeping. My parents always encouraged whatever I was into. I hurt for some other kids when I got older and realized that not all parents were so supportive.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?  Where do you like to vacation?  Can you tell us briefly about this?

I have a few very close friends that are fun just because they exist. Alone, I play XBox, study films, read, and exercise. My idea of fun is staying in with good food good drink, good company… I’ve been to a few places, and when I travel, I just enjoy the next spot. But, I have to say, my visit to San Diego was too short.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

At any moment, I’m happy to be right where I am.

Who is your biggest fan?

My best friend, Loveth.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

I write everywhere, on anything that’ll hold ink. I don’t wait for the muse. At home I put the computer on my lap or the kitchen table.

What’s your favorite library and why?

The library that’s nearest on any given day. Collections of books have a nice perfume.

What’s your favorite bookstore and why?

Barnes & Noble is still a good place to read for a few hours, with a coffee so strong it make me tremble. There’s an independent bookstore in my town where the owners don’t like the book opened unless you plan to buy it. I’ve heard they actually snatch it out of your hand as you flip the pages. Books are meant to be held.

Do you have any pets?

I rescued a cat, Panthero, about three years ago. I don’t know what happened to him before I brought him home. But he hid under the stove for four days, eating and using while I slept… He’s the first cat after growing up with only dogs, so I’m still learning about the feline side of things. It’s entertaining when he works off energy by somersaulting and scrambling in circles.

What are you reading right now?

A slow cooker recipe book. Nothing like walking in the house and smelling food that’s been simmering.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

I’m a big Astrud Gilberto fan.

What’s the first thing you notice when you meet someone?

The eyes speak first. Are they telling me something, or asking?

Have you ever won anything?

The most memorable thing I won were fifth-row tickets to a Bulls-Sixers game, some years ago. Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson were both great. Like a lot of men, I used to harbor an illusion that I might once have been capable of playing professional sports. That game, seen from so close, destroyed this fantasy.

What’s on your to do list today?

I’ve worked all night long, so I’ll be sleeping.

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in November via a virtual book tour.  Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

VBTs seem like a new frontier, and I want to see what it’s about from the ground floor.

Thank you for this interview, Chris. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

I appreciate you having me.