Rebecca's Interview with John Blumenthal

Author of What's Wrong With Dorfman?

From: Jerry Blake, agent:
Hi. Attached is a press release regarding a new book called What's Wrong With Dorfman? Any interest in reviewing it?
 
Jerry Blake
 
Rebecca :
I would enjoy a humorous glimpse into the layers of alternative medicine as I was an editor of a newsmagazine by & about doctors practising that kind of healing. Sounds good for a laugh! Would John Blumenthal be interested in participating in an Interview?
 
Jerry :
Yes. Blumenthal will be delighted to do an interview
 
Rebecca :
Please convey to John Blumenthal my delight in his writing! I have frequently interrupted my beloved's reading to read out loud some of John's scenes & we've both chortled. We're Comedy Central fans.

John, you have captured the lilt of the Jewish father - which I heard often enough when I administered a Reform Jewish camp in the Midwest.

Do you “hear” the conversations before you write them?
 
John :
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for the kind words regarding the book. I know approximately where the conversation is going to end up but I usually don't know exactly how I'm going to get there. If it turns out to be funny, it's usually an accident, but I have the accidents often enough to trust my instincts.
 
Rebecca :
Most of us would give our eye teeth to have the “come backs” you write in your book, do you live your own life with such hilarity? Can you respond to your own troubles with like repartee?
 
John :
I try for comebacks in real life, but I'm better at writing them -- in real life it has to be spontaneous to work. In writing you get to change it a million times until it sounds spontaneous. I generally try to respond to troubles with humor.
 
Rebecca :
Is “trouble” one of the original ingredients for comedy?
 
John :
Yes. People who grow up in functional environments are rarely funny. It helps to be an outcast or misfit.
 
Rebecca :
I find that I have to share some of your scenes, read them out loud & in doing so they become even funnier - what differences do you see between writing for films, the visual & the spoken & writing for books & the reading?
 
John :
I like writing books better because nobody changes the writing. In movies, your original script is changed a lot so you're not sure at the end whether you wrote it or what? If a review is great are they critiquing what you wrote or what the other 10 guys wrote? But what I really like about books is the interior dialogue which you can't do that much in films. Also description -- description doesn't come through in films but it can be very funny in a book.
 
Rebecca :
What time of day/night do you find is best for writing & was this book computer written?
 
John :
Yes the book was computer written. I wrote several books on typewriters and now I can't even remember how I managed it -- did I type everything over everytime I made a mistake? Probably. As for day vs. night -- I usually do my best work in the morning, 9 to 2:00 o'clock. This is when my brain is clearest -- it's also when the kids are in school.
 
Rebecca :
When you write do you have music playing in the background? If so what kind?
 
John :
Rarely. I work better without it. But if I do, it's usually classical. Mozart. Makes me smarter I guess.
 
Rebecca :
What are the hardest parts of writing comedy & the easiest?
 
John :
Good question. I guess the hardest part for me is having to throw something out -- something you really think is funny -- for the betterment of the general plot. You come up with this great joke and deep down you know it messes up the plot or the character in some way and you have to chuck it. (The good thing is maybe it'll work somehow in your next book). The easiest part? I've been writing comedy for about 30 years so I've learned to trust my instincts -- that makes it easier.
 
Rebecca :
After reading your book, I have a feeling I will be hearing Dorfman's father's voice every time I wash my hands. Do your children think you're a funny father?
 
John :
Yes, usually for about two seconds after they've gotten their allowances.
 
Rebecca :
Dorfman's craziness when confronted with a clean bill of health is inspired -- being glad to have nothing wrong yet furious for still feeling ill. Did any of that craziness ooze over into your own relationships with your doctors?
 
John :
I don't go to doctors anymore. I have a Pawnee Medicine Man who is very good.
 
Rebecca :
How long did it take you to write What's Wrong With Dorfman? Do you hope it will eventually be a film?
 
John :
First draft took my about 5 months, then I noodled with it for about a year. A film? Definitely, but I wrote it as a book first because of the interior monologue which is difficult to capture on film.
 
Rebecca :
What are your next projects?
 
John :
Something really big so I can support my daughters' mall addictions. Actually, I don't know just yet, but I'll think of something. Maybe another script.
 
Rebecca :
Do you have any public appearances planned for the rest of the year.
 
John :
Actually, I appear in public very often -- at restaurants, post office, neighbor's yard...Seriously? No.

Thanks!! This was fun!
 
Rebecca :
For my review of John Blumenthal's lively What's Wrong With Dorfman? do check out What's New

(Published July 02, 2000)