Interview with Peter Clothier, conducted by local REALTOR® Keith Kurlander
I’m a writer, and have been doing it for the past sixty years.
Over the years, I have published 2 books of poetry, 3 novels, a monograph of British artist David Hockney, a memoir, and 3 essay collections. I’ve also published countless reviews and articles in national art magazines. All my books are available here on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Peter-Clothier/e/B001JPAKK0/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1485649002&sr=1-2-ent
I wanted nothing else since the age of 12.
Professionally… well, it’s hard to make a living as a writer. I supported myself and my family for many years in academia. I taught Comparative Literature at USC and elsewhere, I was Dean at (then) Otis Art Institute and Loyola Marymount University. I quit academia cold turkey 30 years ago after I finally realized I’d had enough. I was always meant to be a writer, so why not get on with it? I have been free-lancing ever since.
Well, I don’t own a business, so I can’t say. As for free-lance writing, it’s a joy and a privilege. What surprises me? Survival.
People say about my writing: that I get it right; that what I write is always a pleasure to read.
Certainly, my contact with David Hockney when I wrote the Abbeville Modern Masters book about him counts amongst the most memorable of my experiences as a writer. Hockney is an extraordinary artist with a huge international following; and also a fascinating man—a fellow countryman (I’m also British by origin), a fearless and outspoken gay man who delights in who he is and makes no bones about it, and one who lives his life to the fullest. He’s quite charming, and intellectually challenging.
Yes! I’m working on a collection of “boyhood memories,” which I hope to turn into a book. I have worked with men for over twenty years in the context of The ManKind Project and have loved the experience. It’s my belief that men need to “work on themselves” as women have done so successfully in the past half century and more. We have plenty of growth ahead of us, and the purpose of my project is to offer men the opportunity to revisit a part of themselves that may have got lost along the way; to understand themselves better through the writing-down of the special experiences of childhood. http://www.boyhoodmoments.com/
Creative work is hard work. It requires great discipline, constant practice, and involves many disappointments. Persistence is the key. Indeed, one of my essay collections is titled “Persist: In Praise of the Creative Spirit in a World Gone Mad with Commerce.”
My first role model, many years ago, was Christopher Isherwood. He came from much the same background as myself and wrote in clear, very personal prose (and poetry) about the intimate experience of his life. His "Berlin Stories" were a great inspiration for me. My taste these days runs to writers in all genres (including my favorite mystery-thrillers: Lee Child, Elmore Leonard and others) who write in clear, unfussy prose. Otherwise, take me back to Dickens and Balzac; or even earlier, Richardson and Defoe… I love, too, the Metaphysical poets. What do you like most about being an entrepreneur? Freedom to do things exactly the way I want to.
Freedom to do things exactly the way I want to.
Persist.
I’ve lived here for nearly fifty years. My wife and I love the Franklin Hill for its community, its peculiar friendliness and beauty, its convenience (except, these days, for the West Side!)
Restaurants—Alcove, Little Dom’s, Speranza and many more. The Metro Fitness gym. A little further, the downtown museums and art galleries, Disney Hall…
Walking our dog in the hills, eating out, taking care of our grandson…
To allow the community to thrive economically as well as culturally.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/peteratlarge
Twitter: http://twitter.com/PeterAtLarge
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-clothier-03796618/
Website/Blog: http://thebuddhadiaries.blogspot.com/