Interview with Joshua Corin, Author of Forgive Me

FORGIVE ME is the next novel in my Xanadu Marx series, which began last year with the critically acclaimed COST OF LIFE. Xanadu is working through a 12-step program and has begun to make amends for her very bad behavior. Unfortunately, one of the many, many people she wronged in the past is out for vengeance against her and her loved ones.

What’s the last book you read?

I just finished BEFORE THE FALL by Noah Hawley. I was already a huge fan of Hawley’s from his TV work (THE UNUSUALS, FARGO) and I was still absolutely stunned by how masterful and meaningful BEFORE THE FALL was.

Is there a specific book that you always assign your students in class?

In my literature classes, I love assigning the BOOK OF JOB. What a rich, revelatory text, full of vibrant arguments and astonishing contradictions.

What do you like most about working as a screenwriter?

Collaboration!

What’s your favorite play or musical?

WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? is my favorite play and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is my favorite musical. What can I say? I really like complicated protagonists.

Say you now host a literary-themed talk show (congrats). Who would be your first guest? What would you ask that person?

My first guest would be Stephen King. After thanking him for the inspirational nightmares, I’d then ask him how he has managed to be so productive over all these years.

What scene in Forgive Me was your favorite to write?

FORGIVE ME is actually one of most autobiographical novels I’ve ever written, and there are several sequences in it which share an uncomfortable mimesis with incidents from my past. They were difficult to write… but ultimately therapeutic.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

My personal philosophy is probably a combination of Alfred Camus and Alfred E. Newman.

Joshua Corin is the author of the new book Forgive Me.

Connect with Joshua
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