Trudge164 is another face and voice I was not too familiar with even though I had read an amazing piece of his work a while back (details will follow in the interview).  I’m glad he stepped up to the plate to be interviewed to remind me of what a great writer he is. He was one of the first responders to the interview assignment once I put all my questions in order.  He is gracious, introspective and has quite a refreshing perspective, as you will learn, especially if you follow the links he provides.  Generous in mind and spirit, I invite you to get to know a man whose work deserves a much closer look. 

1. HOW DID YOU COME TO OPEN SALON?

About a year ago, I joined Salon and really enjoyed the articles and being able to place comments and have people comment on my comments, ad infinitum. A few months ago, I saw the ads for Open Salon and figured it was going to be a paid site. Being a cheapskate, I ignored it. However, being a moth, I kept being tantalized by the OS teasers like it was fire. I first started trawling (or is it Trolling?) around OS. After a few weeks, I felt creepy being a trawler, so I decided to see what was involved in joining this brave new world called: Open Salon. To my delight, I found out it was FREE! So here I am.

2. WHICH POST ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF AS A WRITER AND WHY? (PROVIDE A LINK, PLEASE)
 

“For Sale, Baby Shoes Never Worn” is the one post I am most proud of. It was a back story to Wayne Gallant’s Open Call concerning Ernest Hemingway’s flash fiction of the same title. I was amazed at the comments and I was surprised that some people thought it was real. Les Standiford’s nonfiction book, “Last Train to Paradise”, inspired me to write from the angle I chose. Also some bloggers suggested I send it to The Sun Magazine which is one of my favorite literary magazines. http://open.salon.com/blog/trudge164/2009/02/19/for_sale_baby_shoes_never_worn 

Cartouche interrupts:  I agree.  If you missed the above post, PLEASE read it.  This was one of the most masterful responses to that particular open call.

3. WHICH POST DO YOU THINK WAS MAYBE OVERLOOKED THAT YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE HAD READ? EXPLAIN WHY. (AGAIN, PLEASE PROVIDE A LINK).

There are too many to mention, but I do have one in particular. But first, I want to give a special shout out to my posse: Zummalicious, Nanatehay, OneCorgiLover, JustJuli and Latethink. I’m sure this list will grow.

Now back to your question, I think it would have to be Bill E.

http://open.salon.com/blog/bill_e

He is an OS unsung hero. His posts are tight and they do not meander. I especially liked “Dad” http://open.salon.com/blog/bill_e/2009/01/31/dad

The love Bill had for his father shone through and it was refreshing to read a story about someone loving their parents instead of hating them.

 Cartouche interjects:  Agreed.  I might never have discovered this story if Trudge had not shared it.  Thanks to BOTH of them.
 

Is OS about the writing and the art of it or just throwing yourself out there in the wind?
 

To me, OS is Space: The Final Frontier! It is the Wild, Wild West where a blogger can stake his claim and write whatever he wants. If you don’t like somebody’s blog, there’s plenty of land to be had by all. 

Whose writing most mirrors your sensibility as a writer?
As a writer, I’d like to think I mostly mirror Tom Robbins, the National Lampoon staff of the seventies and MAD magazine. I’m serious; stop smirking.

What time of day are we most likely to find you lurking around OS? Do your loved ones express concern or jealousy over the time you spend here on OS and do they really have any clue what you are doing?
I like to go in and out, but I do most of OS stomping at night, Eastern Standard Time. My loved ones have not expressed jealousy yet. I place my family and friends first. All others take a number! My wife has a clue, but she lets me do my thing because she knows it makes me happy. 

For men: Boxers or briefs?
 I like to have the best of both worlds, so I would have to say, “boxer-briefs.”
 

If OS is the question, the answer is?

It’s why I haven’t exploded!

Cartouche, thanks for taking the time to interview me.

POE