LV: I’m sorry for bringing it up and probably have heard it a “million little times” but did the whole controversy about the authenticity of “Million Little Pieces” changed your way of writing a story? JF: No, not at all. LV: Your characters in “Bright Shiny Morning” are coming from all kinds of social classes. Where do you see your own roots? JF: Three of my four grandparents were immigrants. Two came from France, one from Denmark. I grew up in Cleveland, a working class city. My father was lawyer who worked hard and did well. I don’t really feel like I fit into any class. And being part of one doesn’t mean anything to me. LV: After writing two scripts for movies in 1998, your first novel was published when you were in your early 30s in 2003. How would you describe these years when you look back now? JF: They were fun, cool. I was writing movies for money while I was trying to learn how to write books. I made a ton of friends and found a place that, even though I don’t live there anymore, I consider home, and where I find some level of peace and happiness. LV: I must admit I haven’t read “The Final Testament of the Holy Bible”yet but I’m going to very soon. If I loved “Million Little Pieces” and “Bright Shiny Morning” will I love this book as well? JF: Yes, I think you will. It’s probably a better, more ambitious book than either of the other two. And technically much more difficult to write. I’ve thought about never writing another book because I’m not sure I can write one better than the Final Testament. LV: While a lot of people in show business try to keep their addiction a secret, writers tense to talk or better write about it and make it public. Are writers mostly nothing but lost souls who use the words to tame their crazy minds? JF: Maybe, though I didn’t write AMLP for those reasons. I wanted to write a radical, controversial, highly offensive worth of literary art that touch people in real and profound ways. LV: Was the decision to become a writer one of your most wisest choices you made in life? JF: Either the wisest or most foolish, but I can’t imagine doing anything else. LV: A young unknown writer comes up to you on the street and asks you to read his novel. Would you take it? JF: Yes.
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