Ian Thomas Malone is an author and a yogi from Greenwich, CT. He is a graduate of Boston College, where he founded The Rock at Boston College. He is the grandson of noted Sherlockian scholar Colonel John Linsenmeyer. Ian has published thousands of articles on diverse subjects such as popular culture, baseball, and social commentary. His favorite things to post on social media are pictures of his golden retriever Georgie and his collection of stuffed animals.
Ian believes firmly that “there’s more to life than books you know, but not much more,” a quote from his hero Morrissey. When he’s not reading, writing, or teaching yoga, he can probably be found in a pool playing water polo. He aspires to move to the Hundred Acre Wood someday, though he hopes it has wi-fi by then.
When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller?
I always had an interest in telling stories. I used to draw comics when I was little. My drawing abilities failed to progress past a kindergarten level, but I stuck with the story element. I’ve been writing articles since I was eleven. My interests have always been eclectic and I found the internet was the best place for me to share thoughts on topics that my peers weren’t interested in.
What inspires you to write?
I’m inspired by ideas that claw at me nonstop. I get many ideas, most of which get tossed out, but the ones that refuse to go away are the ones that inspire me.
How did you come up with the idea for your current story?
I’ve always been very interested in the 60s psychedelic movement. People tend to forget that Jack Nicholson started off with films like Easy Rider, The Trip, and Psych-Out. LSD has always been more mainstream that people realize. It was a fun topic to write about.
Are there some stories tucked away in some drawer that was written before and never saw the light of the day?
Probably some comics I mentioned earlier! I have a couple unfinished short stories that will get finished eventually and a poetry collection that isn’t ready yet.
Tell us about your writing process.
It’s chaotic. I tend to let ideas develop in my head for months (sometimes years) at a time before I starting them. There’s always few slow cooking at a time. I like to finish first drafts in about a month. Lots of tea and not a lot of sleep.
What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?
There’s a scene where the narrator and James are struggling to get an automatic faucet to turn on in the bathroom. Those faucets can be a pain even if you’re not tripping!
Did any of your characters inherit some of your own quirks?
The narrator and I both enjoy stuffed animals!
What is your most interesting writing quirk?
I can’t write without tea, coffee, or seltzer on my desk. I don’t need to drink it, but it needs to be there. I work around this though. If I’ve had too much, I brew cheaper tea.
Do you read? Who are your favourite authors and how have they influenced your writing style?
Of course I read. Vonnegut and Faulkner are my two biggest influences. I love what they do with the form and how they were never afraid to break the rules. Both also had excellent moustaches. Probably not a coincidence.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Rejection is rarely personal. Agents/publishers typically have very specific needs and if your work isn’t a fit, you probably won’t get considered. Never let it affect your writing!
What would be the Dream Cast for you book if it was to be turned into a movie?
Narrator would be played by me, Charles by David Bowie, and James by Edward James Olmos.
How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?
I love read, swim, and practice yoga. My favorite place to unwind is any bookstore I can find. Being around books is comforting.
Can you share with us something off your bucket list?
I’d love to travel to Pune, India and study at the Iyengar Yoga Institute. B.K.S. Iyengar is a tremdous influence on my philosophy. I was very sad when he died last year.
What do you have in store next for your readers?
My next book is actually out in a month! It’s the sequel to Five College Dialogues, appropriately titled Five More College Dialogues. I’m in the middle of editing a new novel and hope to have lots of fun stuff on the horizon for my readers.
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Along the way, the three friends discover what matters most to them, and more importantly, that life is not so much about answers as it is about the exploration of the questions.
When the real world doesn't quite cut it, take a journey down the rabbit hole
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