Whenever I hear the name, Armistead Maupin, I think back to the first time I encountered the iconic author's work -- and the old chicken-and-egg debate ensues. Except it's the book-and-miniseries debate.
I'm sure I learned of Armistead through his "Tales of the City" series, but I do not recall whether I read the books or watched the miniseries first. What I remember is being thoroughly entertained and feeling as if I knew this grab-bag of bold, sexy, lovable, gay, straight and transgender characters.
More than 30 years after he introduced us to his San Francisco playground, Armistead continues to explore the lives of Mary Ann Singleton, Michael Tolliver and their crew. This year he released "Mary Ann in Autumn," the eighth book in the series and his 34th tome overall.
When Armistead visited THE WILL DEAN SHOW this week he discussed the real-life shenanigans that inspired the series, the ongoing lesson of his work and the one word he feels describes the challenges gay men face today.
WDS: Your "Tales of the City" characters are so beloved by readers, many of whom believe they know the characters as well as you do. Do you feel pressured "not to disappoint" when you're writing the next installment?
AM: Yes. I know that ultimately it's whatever comes out of me but I do care about what people think about the characters. Readers will tell you when they think you've strayed from a character.
Did you plan "Tales of the City" as a series?
No, I had no idea. I considered myself a very lucky man because I had steady employment (as a newspaper reporter). I could not have imagined it would've lasted this long. There are eight books in the series and the characters are mentioned in other books. I'm comfortable in that universe. It's an extension of who I am. I like the experience of the continuity, much like the readers do.
You grew up in the American South (North Carolina) which has produced many of the country's greatest writers. How did your Southern experience inform your writing?
I think it made me a storyteller at a very early age. I was terrible at sports. The one thing I could do is sit around the fire and tell my buddies stories. I got my self-worth out of storytelling.
Were you compensating for being gay?
Yes, I think so. Though I had a secret, I could entertain them with stories. I had my power come from storytelling.
As a young gay man in 1970s San Francisco -- pre-AIDS -- I imagine you had a lot of entertaining distractions. Writing requires discipline. What was the catalyst that focused you on writing the first stories?
I fell into it because I was trying to write a feature story about the straight cruising scene at the local Safeway. I was with The Pacific Sun. They were showing up on Wednesday night to get laid -- straight men and women. They still do.
I couldn't get anyone to talk to me so I made up this fictional character, Mary Ann Singleton, who meets a great guy there who turns out to be gay -- Michael Tolliver. The editor suggested I start following them. I did for five episodes before the paper folded.
I started doing it daily in 1976 for the San Francisco Chronicle. I came out through the stories. They were a letter to my parents.
Does your life now measure up to the adult life you imagined while growing up in North Carolina?
So much better. I had hoped to find the love of my life and I've done that. It took me awhile, but I did it. And we all dreamt of being famous, right?
I'm still dreaming.
Great. That's the only way it's going to happen. You have to believe it.
I didn't realize how much of a learning process life would be, but that's what made it interesting.
Remember when we used to think our grandparents were old forever? As I grow older I identify and sympathize with them now. I wish I could ask them questions about it. They came from a generation that wasn't allowed to change as they got older.
Which word perfectly describes the time we're living in -- when you think about the gay teen bullying and suicides; Don't Ask Don't Tell; some same-sex couples who are married while others continue to struggle for the right?
I think it's a "blossoming." The reason we're facing such bigotry from bigots is that most of the world understands that we have a right to love.
We have a responsibility to children. Gay kids have always killed themselves. We're hearing about it now because parents are willing to talk about it, against it.
In the '70s gay men were afraid to help because of the accusation they were pedophiles or recruiting children. The truth is I have always been recruiting for the right to live your life honestly and openly. For 34 books I've been writing one long "It gets better."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Name: Armistead Maupin
Age: 66
Relationship status: Married to entrepreneur Christopher Turner
City of residence: San Francisco, Ca.
Website: http://www.armisteadmaupin.com/
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