I was interviewed recently about my blog, Country Parson (stevenwoolley.com), by noted Kindle book critic, Sam Woodward. Here’s a partial transcript for those of you who may have missed it on NWPB.
Woodward: I understand you’ve been publishing Country Parson for over a decade.
Me: Yes, I started it shortly after I retired. It was something to do, and writing is passion.
Woodward: Blogs are so dated, no one reads them anymore, don’t you feel a little out of step with the times?
Me: Well, I’m a little dated too. Videos and podcasts are just not my thing. Give me a little credit for hanging in there with the written word.
Woodward: Speaking of which, you write on politics, economics and religion, is that right?
Me: Yes, those are my three subjects, with occasional nonsense thrown in. Maybe I’ll publish this interview, it’s about as nonsensical as they come.
Woodward: That’s a little cruel considering I’m a well known book critic doing you a favor. And by the way, A quick read of a few of your columns reveals grammatical and spelling errors, with commas randomly scattered about.
Me: OK, well, I type very fast, and sometimes miss things, then my eyes aren’t what they used to be, and besides, my editor is an abstract artist and you know. Look, it’s really about content, not commas.
Woodward: Back to the question about content, do you actually know anything about any of this?
Me: A little bit. I spent thirty years in and around politics, much of it in public policy consulting. From time to time I’ve been the source de jour on television and radio. Even done some teaching. Then I went off to seminary and became an Episcopal priest.
Woodward: Does anyone read your stuff?
Me: Not many. I once had nearly 2,000 subscribers, but it turned out they were mostly bots. I’m down to less than 200 I believe to be real people. On a good day there might be 10 or 20 who wander in off the internet. Aren’t a lot of good days.
Woodward: Of your three subjects, which one generates the most readers?
Me: Politics, especially when I write about Trump and his devoted followers from my center-left perspective. Then I get attention from places like Egypt, Pakistan, and China. Russia used to be there, but I think they’re farming out their bots these days.
Woodward: And the least?
Me: Religion, or more particularly Christianity understood in the Anglican traditions of the Episcopal Church. I’m offering some pieces on Holy Week right now, and for the most part they’re flops. Now and then a piece gets more hits when I can work in sex, violence and revenge. It attracts the Netflix crowd.
Woodward: What about economics, you said that didn’t you?
Me: Yes. I write not as an economist, but as an informed observer of the economic scene. It used to make sense, but under Trump all the normal rules were annulled, so I’m less inclined to say much these days.
Woodward: Economics is a big word, can you narrow it down a little for me?
Me: I tend to follow Krugman and Pikkety. I’ve actually read Pikkety’s “Capitalism in the 21st Century.” Can’t say I followed the math very well, but that’s another story. In the old days I was interested mostly in how local economies worked, and how they related to each other.
Woodward: And people find this interesting?
Me: No, they don’t. Except for the libertarian right wingers. I can get them going. They’re still upset with FDR, think Keynes was a commie, and love Friedman. That is to say, they would if they knew who any of them were. When I’m bored I can entice them to create a little excitement.
Woodward: I’d hoped this interview could be shopped around to big media, but frankly, the ramblings of an old man about things he used to know about don’t have much of a market. I’ll see what I can do.
Me: OK, I guess, I’d hoped for more, but enjoyed the conversation just the same. Was a little surprised at all the gin you drank while I sipped on tea, but what can you expect from an ebook critic in a Hemingway beard and tweed jacket. Bet you even have a pipe in there somewhere.
Laughing out loud, rolling on the floor. Thanks Steve
You must have had so much fun writing this one!