A.J. Jacobs
/How did you become a writer?
Partly by design, partly by luck. I graduated from college with a degree in philosophy. There weren’t a lot of jobs out there for philosophers. But one of the few skills I did possess was the ability to (sort of) put a sentence together. So I tried freelance writing for small newspapers. Eventually, I worked my way up to magazines and books.
Name your writing influences (writers, books, teachers, etc.).
Among my favorite writers: Bill Bryson, Anne Lamott, and David Sedaris. Also, my high school English teacher Mr. Bender, who always says that I am the second-funniest writer he ever taught. The first is Simon Rich, who is indeed a genius and far funnier than I am. I’m happy to get the silver medal.
When and where do you write?
I once read that Hugh Lofting, the author of Dr. Dolittle, wrote his book while in the trenches in World War 1. It’s an amazing and inspiring story. A skill, to be able to write anytime, anywhere, even in the worst of circumstances. Sadly, I fall far short. I wish I had Lofting’s discipline. Unfortunately, I have trouble writing unless I have three or more hours of uninterrupted quiet. I need at least half an hour just to get into the flow. I often write with the knowledge that the first half hour’s output will be total junk, but with the hope that it will get better.
What are you working on now?
I’m writing a book about my love of puzzles. All kinds of puzzles – crosswords, riddles, jigsaws, you name it. I’m exploring whether thinking like puzzle-solvers can help us solve the really big problems, like climate crisis and tribalism. For research, my family and I went to Spain a few months ago and competed as Team USA in the World Jigsaw Puzzle championships. We had a blast, despite being trounced. The Russians won – they are a jigsaw force of nature.
Have you ever suffered from writer’s block?
I often have trouble getting started. One useful strategy: Just start writing. I’ll write about anything – the broccoli pizza I had the night before, the sparrow on my windowsill. I know I’ll never use this writing, but just the feeling of my fingers tapping on the keyboard gives me some momentum. And eventually I feel confident enough to start writing something that I hope will be usable.
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
My friend who used to write for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart told me he likes to surprise himself in his writing. Which seems weird. How can you surprise yourself? You’re the one writing the words. But I’ve come to understand it a bit, and I find it hugely helpful. You sort of let your brain off its leash and let it go down weird rabbit holes. Often those rabbit holes will be dead ends, but sometimes they’ll lead to little treasures.
What’s your advice to new writers?
Get accustomed to rejection. (Advice I’m still trying to follow myself). When I started out, I’d send out 100 article ideas to magazines and newspapers, and maybe one would get the go-ahead. Nowadays, my hit rate is higher – but I still get rejected a lot. It’s just part of the job. You don’t have to embrace it exactly, but you have to be okay with it.
A.J. Jacobs is the author of the new book Thanks a Thousand: A Gratitude Journey in which he thanks every single person who had a role (however small) in making his morning cup of coffee possible. ajjacobs.com, @ajjacobs.
