Aris Janigian: Author / Yogi / Book Collector / Potluck Hoster

@arisjanigianarisjanigian.com  The scene:We are sitting in the sun on a chilly Spring day just outside Aris’ living space, which is attached to his private library of 1 billion books (actually 5,000 ish). Aris begins the interview a bit withdrawn, perhaps shy, perhaps melancholic - like any truly great writer is expected to be - but warms up throughout and by the end is truly lively. It has taken me a moment to return to editing and releasing interviews. I saw Aris in yoga the other day and we shared that we had such fond memories of what a great interview it was, it is. Join us as we explore the human condition and how it is captured with words.Highlights:Bestselling author of “Waiting for Lipchitz at Chateau Marmont”Moved to Fresno from LA eight years agoBegan writing in the 5th grade. First book: “The Adventures of Hallelujah Harry”What makes a “gifted” writer?Two novels by the age of 25Writing because you have to write...you have something to sayBegan writing regularly his junior year of college, as a medicineUsing writing to harness a self-destructive energyWhy publish? > ego, being noticed, being seen, vanity, loving peopleWanting others to feel the richness of their internal lifeHelping others find themselvesConnection is the root of many creative endeavorsSuffering is a character trait that serves writers wellPatience/a long view is important when writing one book over many yearsMaturing out of immediate gratificationTragic humor and satireEmbracing one’s own madness, coupled with self-compassion“Essentially we’re scripting our own lives continuously”No one can define great art, it has a transcendent qualityRelying on the judgement of others to measure youTrusting informed readers for feedbackWe would be nothing without the love of other peopleCommunity makes you feel at home in the worldObserving others as they journey through the worldConflict > Friction > Fire > Life, warmth, light…Writing “aggressive”, “racist”, “sexist” booksUncomfortability creates an opportunity to elevate consciousnessThe world is not static, we must constantly revise our approach“One should be happy to be confronted with a genuinely authentic new perspective”Yearning to be confronted by someone with your own flaw or biasWe identify too much with our own thoughts and opinionsTrained as a scientist - PhD in Research Psychology, specifically Social CognitionTaught college psych for 23 yearsResearch him on Google scholar for his papers on human studiesAdvice to younger self: “Get help sooner.” (meds, therapy, yoga/meditation)19 year yogiPlay moreGrieving when you can’t writeLongest writing “slump”: current, 1 1/2 years…Novel writing comes from a different place, it’s like a puzzleA taste:“We view our selves as western expansion does, an American cultural egotism that creates dynamism.”“Most of our rhetoric, our language, is oriented towards youth.”“The novelist mind requires that you see everything when you write one sentence.”Favorite saying:(He can’t remember. Ask his friends for the notes they take of the funny things he says.)Support the showThank you for listening!  Please subscribe to support this project.Love, Sagewolf xoxo