Book Club

Replay: Live Chat with Sherman Alexie

April 11, 2013
by
  • submit to reddit

Poet and writer Sherman Alexie joined us for a live chat on April 16, 2013, to answer readers’ questions about his poetry and books, his creative process and being Native American. You can replay the chat below.

Sherman Alexie (Credit: Alton Christensen)

Born on a reservation in Washington state, Alexie has been navigating the boundaries in American and Native American culture for two decades. He is the author of 22 books, including The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, winner of the 2007 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, War Dances, winner of the 2010 PEN Faulkner Award, and The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, a PEN Hemingway Special Citation winner. Smoke Signals, the film he wrote and co-produced, won the Audience Award and Filmmakers’ Trophy at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival.

Watch Bill’s conversation with Alexie from this week’s Moyers & Company, including his thoughts on Native American cultural power and experiences with bipolar disorder. In a web extra, Alexie also reads and talks about his poem “Ode to Gray.”

 Writer Sherman Alexie(04/16/2013) 
11:15
We'll be starting our live chat with writer Sherman Alexie at 1 PM ET. In the meantime, please feel free to enter your questions in the box below.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 11:15 
12:59
Hello all and welcome to our live chat with writer Sherman Alexie!
Tuesday April 16, 2013 12:59 
1:00
Sherman Alexie is an award-winning poet, novelist, short-story writer, and filmmaker. He has published 22 books including The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, winner of a 2007 National Book Award; War Dances, recipient of the 2010 PEN/Faulkner Award; and The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, which earned the PEN/Hemingway Award for Best First Book. His latest work, Blasphemy, is a collection of short stories old and new.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:00 
1:01
Alexie, a Spokane/Coeur d’Alene Indian, was raised on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Washington State. As an infant he was treated for hydrocephalus, which doctors feared would leave him developmentally disabled. To the contrary, he was reading by age three and tackled novels, including The Grapes of Wrath by age five. Alexie decided to leave the reservation for high school in Reardan, Washington, where he excelled in his studies and basketball.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:01 
1:01
Alexie decided to become a writer while attending Washington State University and in 1992, only a year after leaving WSU, published his first two poetry collections. Alexie’s first collection of short stories was published by Atlantic Monthly Press a year later.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:01 
1:02
We are very excited to have Sherman Alexie with us today for a live chat.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:02 
1:02

Welcome Alexie!

Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:02 
1:02
hello hello
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:02 
1:03
That photo makes me look puzzled by the camera's AMAZING technology.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:03 
1:03
We have a lot of questions for you collected over the past few days on Facebook, Twitter and BillMoyers.com.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:03 
1:04
During the interview, I noticed that my left eyebrown moves independently. LIke a symbiotic twin. Meryl Streep will play my eyebrown in the forthcoming film.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:04 
1:05
[Comment From Elizabeth E., Ralston HS (Omaha) Elizabeth E., Ralston HS (Omaha) : ] 
What inspired you to write?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:05 Elizabeth E., Ralston HS (Omaha)
1:05
I started college pre-med, couldn't handle human anatomy, and took a poetry class, in search of a new major and to meet women, and the professor, Alex Kuo, handed me an anthology of contemporary Native American poetry.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:05 
1:06
It was called "Songs from this Earth on Turtle's Back" and I was hooked.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:06 
1:06
Who needs medicine. I'm going for the lucrative world of poetry.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:06 
1:06
One line in particular did it. By Adrian C. Louis: "Uncle Adrian, I'm in the reservation of my mind."
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:06 
1:06
I've been rewriting Adrian's line ever since.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:06 
1:07
[Comment From John Dupes John Dupes : ] 
Who does Mr. Alexie consider to be his literary influences?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:07 John Dupes
1:07
Adrian C. Louis, Tim O'Brien. Emily Dickinson, Joy Harjo, John Steinbeck
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:07 
1:07
to name a few.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:07 
1:07
Pop culture, especially sit-coms.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:07 
1:08
Stand up comedy, as well. Bill Hicks, Sam Kinison
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:08 
1:08
Richard Pryor, Mitch Hedberg
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:08 
1:08
Louis CK, Patton Oswalt
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:08 
1:08
Tig Notaro is my favorite right now. She's amazing.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:08 
1:09
[Comment From Jeff Stensrud Jeff Stensrud : ] 
Thank you Sherman for being the wonderful 21st Century Trickster that you are. What a magnificent wordsmith! Such an inspiration!!!!
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:09 Jeff Stensrud
1:09
Trickster means "Smartass with a big vocabulary."
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:09 
1:09
Thank you!
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:09 
1:09
[Comment From Grace Wing-Yuan Toy, Poet and Writer (NJ) Grace Wing-Yuan Toy, Poet and Writer (NJ) : ] 
Hello Mr. Alexie, I really enjoyed your interview with Bill Moyers recently. My question is I know that one of your earliest mentors was Alex Kuo, the Chinese American poet and writer. Do you see any similarities between the Native American culture(s) and Chinese American culture, especially in regard to literature and the concerns we peoples address?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:09 Grace Wing-Yuan Toy, Poet and Writer (NJ)
1:10
Well, we are descended from Asians (check out our shovel-shaped incisors) so there must be cultural connections. But I"m not a student of Asian Cultures so I'd have a hard time naming them.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:10 
1:10
I would say there's a certain mystical lyricism that seems common.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:10 
1:11
[Comment From Mr. Dan Boster, teacher, Ralston HS (Omaha) Mr. Dan Boster, teacher, Ralston HS (Omaha) : ] 
Hello, we are watching from Ralston HS in Omaha, NE. There are 27 of us in a high school classroom. We all read True Diary in January.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:11 Mr. Dan Boster, teacher, Ralston HS (Omaha)
1:11
Hello, Ralston! I love how my YA novel, "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Tie Indian," has been such a hit among teens.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:11 
1:12
Especially with reluctant readers. Boys!
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:12 
1:12
It's nice to temporarily win the battle against the XBox.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:12 
1:12
[Comment From Guest Guest : ] 
Nice to see you admire Tim O'Brien. I am showing Smoke Signals to my classes this week and talked about The Things They Carried when Victor finds his picture in Arnold's wallet.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:12 Guest
1:13
Tim O'Brien is truly amazing. I've always identified with the small town nature of his work, but lately have come to realize that the PTSD of soldiers and the PTSD of poverty-stricken folks is not dissimilar.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:13 
1:13
So there was always a subconscious connection with O'Brien that I am only now beginning to understand.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:13 
1:14
Plus he always has a cool Indian dude in his books.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:14 
1:14
[Comment From Susan Susan : ] 
Please Let Mr. Alexie know that "Smoke Signals" is my favorite movie.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:14 Susan
1:14
[Comment From Guest Guest : ] 
Would you make a commercial film, like Smoke Signals,again?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:14 Guest
1:14
"Smoke Signals" is streaming now on NetFlix.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:14 
1:15
Which is fun and crazy. I agreed to the deal with Miramax while on an airplane using one of those horrible back of the seat airplane phones.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:15 
1:15
I had to swipe my credit card to use it.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:15 
1:15
We shot that movie 16 years ago! Which just seems insane!
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:15 
1:15
It's not whether I want to make a commercial film again. It's that the commercial film world is no longer interested in me.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:15 
1:16
[Comment From Dylan G., Ralston HS (Omaha) Dylan G., Ralston HS (Omaha) : ] 
What are some of the greatest memories you have from living on the reservation? How much different do you think reservation life is from the lives of children in the rest of the world, the rest of the U.S.?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:16 Dylan G., Ralston HS (Omaha)
1:16
My favorite memory: Falling asleep while hearing the stickgame players drumming and singing at the powwow grounds a couple miles away.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:16 
1:17
Life on the rez is not as different anymore. The Internet has narrowed the cultural gap significantly.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:17 
1:17
Like every other teen, Indians walk around doing their best to look and sound like Dr. Dre.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:17 
1:17
Though it's hard to look oppressed when you're carrying the latest iPhone.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:17 
1:18
But the social, economic, and political problems do remain the same.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:18 
1:18
Reservation Indians are still the poorest in the country.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:18 
1:18
Some reservations are nearly Third World.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:18 
1:18
[Comment From Phoebe Phoebe : ] 
Hi Sherman, love your work, Do you think your writing serves a political purpose?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:18 Phoebe
1:18
um....
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:18 
1:19
um...
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:19 
1:19
probably
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:19 
1:19
though I have zero control over that
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:19 
1:19
I'd like to think, primarily, that I've inspired Indians to tell their stories
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:19 
1:19
And Indian stories are, by definition, political.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:19 
1:19
I should call each of my books "Vote!"
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:19 
1:20
[Comment From Susan Susan : ] 
I absolutely loved your interview with Bill this weekend. What would you want "liberal White Americans" to do -- or how might we change our thinking -- in order to see more clearly and/or support Native Americans in the U.S. here and now?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:20 Susan
1:20
money!
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:20 
1:20
donate
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:20 
1:20
donate
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:20 
1:20
and then donate
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:20 
1:20
The only people who say "Money doesn't solve problems" are the people with money.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:20 
1:21
[Comment From Claire Claire : ] 
In what ways, do you think, has the internet changed life on Indian reservations?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:21 Claire
1:21
As I wrote previously, much more cultural connection. The distance between isolated reservations and contemporary society has become so small as to be non-existent.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:21 
1:22
With that connection comes a complicated stew of...stuff
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:22 
1:22
Jealously, inspiration, love, hate
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:22 
1:22
It's like rez Indians and white society are on their first date
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:22 
1:22
[Comment From Doug Doug : ] 
Do you think Indian teens are losing their sacred ways by being tech connected?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:22 Doug
1:23
Since humans made cell phones than cell phones, like humans, are sacred and profane.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:23 
1:23
It's not the external that makes anything sacred or profane.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:23 
1:23
It's the internal response.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:23 
1:24
Joy Harjo, Creek poet and jazz sax player, was once asked, "Is the saxophone Indian?"
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:24 
1:24
She said, "It is when I play it."
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:24 
1:24
[Comment From MSG MSG : ] 
I am Native and I think I understand your quote, "you can only be Indian if you ever wished you weren't Indian," but could you elaborate a little?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:24 MSG
1:25
Being Indian is living in the aftermath of 500 and some odd years of colonialism.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:25 
1:25
And who wouldn't want to be free of that?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:25 
1:26
And since being an Indian is so filled with social rules, like living inside an Edith Wharton novel (with better hair), it's also wonderful to think about being free of that.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:26 
1:26
To be free of all the positive and negative pressures of belonging to a tribe.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:26 
1:26
To be as alone as possible.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:26 
1:26
Though it always fails.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:26 
1:26
[Comment From Bert Correa (Taino) Bert Correa (Taino) : ] 
What are your thoughts about what constitutes an Indigenous Identity ?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:26 Bert Correa (Taino)
1:27
There are approximately 2 million Indians so there are 2 million ways of being Indian.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:27 
1:27
Some are more goofy than others.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:27 
1:27
[Comment From Guest Guest : ] 
Much of your work approaches very painful--and sometimes taboo--subjects with both humor and sensitivity. As a writer, how do you navigate the delicate boundary between offensiveness and the healing power of humor?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:27 Guest
1:27
Art is supposed to be offensive.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:27 
1:28
And I am, instinctually, an offensive person.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:28 
1:28
Art didn't make me offensive: I was born offensive.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:28 
1:28
The funny came later.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:28 
1:28
I'm the least funny member of my family.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:28 
1:28
I've always been the morose dude playing Dungeons & Dragons all by himself in the basement.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:28 
1:29
If I weren't laughing then I'd be drunk.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:29 
1:29
Addicted to being funny, I am.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:29 
1:29
[Comment From Lori Lori : ] 
I appreciate you like you wouldn't believe... thank you...
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:29 Lori
1:29
[Comment From Christine Christine : ] 
Hello Sherman and Bill. Just wanted to say that the program the other night was probably one of THE BEST Moyers & Company ever. Sherman, your work is at once fascinating, compelling, engrossing and challenging. My best friend is reading your book "Lone Ranger and Tonto" right now. I will when she's done. Please keep sharing with us as you can! And thank you, Bill, for bringing Sherman's voice the attention it deserves.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:29 Christine
1:29
Thank you, Lori, that's a beautiful and slightly stalkerish compliment.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:29 
1:30
[Comment From Larry Larry : ] 
A powerful moment in the Moyers interview was when he asked what you do believe in and replied "stories." Would you elaborate?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:30 Larry
1:30
My first instinct is to type "Because only humans tell stories." But then I think of honeybees who dance stories to tell the hive where the pollen is.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:30 
1:30
Maybe the common connection among all living things is stories.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:30 
1:31
That's all I have on that.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:31 
1:31
Otherwise, I'll start to sound like I'm going to lead a cult.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:31 
1:31
[Comment From Guest Guest : ] 
The students would like to know if you really can play basketball.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:31 Guest
1:31
Over the years, I've played with many folks who think I must not really be good.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:31 
1:32
Because I'm a geek writer boy.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:32 
1:32
But I was very good.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:32 
1:32
And am now a tricky, strong, highly competitive 46 year old.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:32 
1:32
I can hold my own against most anybody.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:32 
1:33
I love to destroy English professor who think their noon game at the college is high quality.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:33 
1:33
It's anti-colonial warfare.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:33 
1:33
[Comment From Mr. Dan Boster, teacher, Ralston HS (Omaha) Mr. Dan Boster, teacher, Ralston HS (Omaha) : ] 
Since you often write for and about young people, how important do you think it is that high school curricula includes Native American literature? How would you answer the question: "Why should students read about Native American experience?"
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:33 Mr. Dan Boster, teacher, Ralston HS (Omaha)
1:34
High schools should have an incredibly diverse education.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:34 
1:34
So, yes, there should be Native studies.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:34 
1:34
But I wish it were far more contemporary.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:34 
1:34
I'm less interested in teaching young folks about the talking animals of Native myth than I am in studies of contemporary life.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:34 
1:35
[Comment From Kate Hutchinson Kate Hutchinson : ] 
I'd love to know what he is currently working on, and if we can expect a book of poetry from him any time soon. I've been a huge fan of Alexie's for years and use his books and stories in my high school English classes in the Chicago area.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:35 Kate Hutchinson
1:35
I've got a new books of poems, "What I've Stolen, What I've Earned" coming out from Hanging Loose Press this Fall maybe or next Spring.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:35 
1:36
I'm working on the sequel to "True Diary..." called "The Magic and Tragic Year of my Broken Thumb." It's only 4 years late.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:36 
1:36
And I'm working on a novel that features the return of Thomas Builds-the-Fire and Victor Joseph. That's only 3 years late.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:36 
1:37
I'm also working on digital literature stuff that will be unveiled at a later date.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:37 
1:37
[Comment From elise elise : ] 
Big fan here. So I remember watching the segment so many years ago about you and you having insomnia. ( I then wanted to have it!) But now you are diagnosed with bi-polar. I am wondering how you feel, having a real name for what plagued you. Are you relieved? Do you feel the "moods" help with your creative process??
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:37 elise
1:38
Yeah, my insomnia was actually bipolarism with a strong scoop of PTSD.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:38 
1:38
I am feeling good about life in general.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:38 
1:38
But, in reality, the dampening effects of the meds has made it harder to write.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:38 
1:38
I'll take general happiness over manic-driven art though.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:38 
1:39
Though the meds do help make me fatter.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:39 
1:39
That and my tortilla chip addiction.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:39 
1:39
We have the original NOW interview up on the website at https://billmoyers.com/content/sherman-alexie-open-all-night.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:39 
1:40
Rick, the producer of that segment, now makes awesome pickles. HIs business is called Rick's Pickles. Order some up. They're great.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:40 
1:41
He makes a pickle in my honor called Sad Ass Pickle. It tastes like defeat.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:41 
1:41
[Comment From Monica, Eastern Oregon Univeristy Monica, Eastern Oregon Univeristy : ] 
My husband has bipolar disorder. Thank you for having the courage to talk about your own experience.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:41 Monica, Eastern Oregon Univeristy
1:41
You are welcome. Silence is always the greatest killer.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:41 
1:41
[Comment From Guest Guest : ] 
How has your poetry changed over the years?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:41 Guest
1:42
I write more of what I call Free Verse Formalism. I use rhyme, syllabics, and traditional & created poetic forms more often now.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:42 
1:42
The formalism, the search for the rhyme, helps me write things that I might not otherwise.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:42 
1:42
It frees me from my tics and habits.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:42 
1:42
NO MORE SALMON POEMS
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:42 
1:43
[Comment From Scott J. Buxton Scott J. Buxton : ] 
What is your routine for writing? Do you have a certain time or place? Any special rituals or ways to go about it?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:43 Scott J. Buxton
1:43
This is a common question. And I'm not sure how it helps other writers to know my process. It's such an individual thing, so eccentric.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:43 
1:43
My process is utterly random, chaotic, and desperate.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:43 
1:44
Does that help? Ha!
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:44 
1:44
[Comment From Elizabeth E., Ralston HS (Omaha) Elizabeth E., Ralston HS (Omaha) : ] 
What was your favorite book to write?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:44 Elizabeth E., Ralston HS (Omaha)
1:45
None of them were fun to write.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:45 
1:45
Writing is white collar labor with a blue collar tinge.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:45 
1:45
I'm jealous of people who say they love to write. And I think they're lying.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:45 
1:46
But that's because I'm a lesser human being.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:46 
1:46
[Comment From Catherine Catherine : ] 
I followed a link from facebook to Bill Moyer's interview with you. Thank you for such a wonderful interview. I had not heard or read any of your books. You apparant honesty in expressing yourself is refreshing, Thank you.My question is which book of yours to read first?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:46 Catherine
1:46
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:46 
1:46
[Comment From Gerri Gerri : ] 
Sherman, I love your insight and humor expressed here and, furthermore, you are a lover not a warrior!!
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:46 Gerri
1:47
I hate being called warrior.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:47 
1:47
It's such an Indian bullshit cliche.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:47 
1:47
And since violence is such a problem in the Indian world, warrior doesn't help that.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:47 
1:47
I prefer to be called (drum roll) a storyteller.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:47 
1:48
[Comment From Mary/San Francisco Mary/San Francisco : ] 
Do you do book tours or talks? If, so where can I find your schedule?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:48 Mary/San Francisco
1:48
My website fallsapart.com has my schedule and other news. I've been lazy about my blog though.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:48 
1:48
[Comment From Catherine Catherine : ] 
I've struggle with forming my thoughts into words, I enjoyed your interview & look forward to reading your books in the future. I am a nurse & I would of gotten you a nice warm blanket for your Father. I will get the book you. recommended above. Thank you.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:48 Catherine
1:49
The nurses in my life have almost universally been kind and generous and amazing.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:49 
1:49
[Comment From Chris Chris : ] 
What are you reading now?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:49 Chris
1:49
I miss the days when they wore white stockings, though...
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:49 
1:49
I love me some white stockings...
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:49 
1:49
I'm wearing some right now.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:49 
1:50
I am currently reading Lost in the Groove: Scram's Capricious Guide to the Music You Missed.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:50 
1:51
Vivian Stanshall, listen to...
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:51 
1:52
[Comment From John Martin John Martin : ] 
Do you consider yourself to be part of any particular group or "school" of writers?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:52 John Martin
1:52
To quote Groucho Marx, "I don't want to belong to any group that would have me as a member."
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:52 
1:52
[Comment From Jason Jason : ] 
You are hilarious. A true "poets mind"
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:52 Jason
1:53
That said, I'd put me, strangely enough, in the NY School of Funny Poets.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:53 
1:53
[Comment From Karen Wallace-Elam Karen Wallace-Elam : ] 
Which do you prefer writing, short storie, poems, novels, on public restroom walls?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:53 Karen Wallace-Elam
1:53
If I could make a living writing poems that would be all I wrote.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:53 
1:53
write
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:53 
1:54
past tense made me sound dead
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:54 
1:54
Sherman Alexie wrote poems.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:54 
1:54
[Comment From Gerri Gerri : ] 
When are you going to do stand up, Sherman?
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:54 Gerri
1:54
I have done traditional standup but my humor fails to impress drunk white guys in comedy clubs.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:54 
1:55
In other words, I was met with crickets chirping and bottles clinking.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:55 
1:55

Have you done stand up on a reservation?

Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:55 
1:56
If I call my performances "readings" then I get to be funny w/o the pressure.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:56 
1:56
I kill Indians with my humor.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:56 
1:56
Many Indians are suspicious of my "Indianness" until I start talking. Then they realize, "OMG, that's a rezzzzzzzzzzz boy."
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:56 
1:57
Unfortunately, we have to end it there. Thanks so much to all of you for joining us for our live chat with Sherman Alexie!
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:57 
1:57
Thanks Sherman!
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:57 
1:57
Thank you, folks. This was awesome.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:57 
1:57
[Comment From Angie Angie : ] 
If you want awesome stand-up, go see Sherman at one of his book talks when he is near you. He is awesome.
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:57 Angie
1:59
You can watch Sherman Alexie's interview with Bill on our website here: https://billmoyers.com/segment/sherman-alexie-on-living-outside-borders

Take care, everybody!
Tuesday April 16, 2013 1:59 
 
 

Related Content

TOPICS:
TAGS: , , , , , ,
  • submit to reddit