8 Questions for Hua Hsu, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer
Author of Stay True, publisher of Suspended in Time, and music lover.
This issue sees eight questions answered by Hua Hsu, best known for his superb, Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir, Stay True, as well as being a staff writer at the New Yorker, and publisher of the zine, Suspended in Time.
I am delighted to also know him as a fellow devotee of two of my most favorite things: Manchester United and Spacemen 3. In fact, we met by trading our own bootleg Spacemen shirts — in my case a Spanish-language reworking of a classic, and in his, a wonderful collaboration with artist Andrew Kuo to reimagine Pete and Jason in the style of the Phantom of the Opera (above). Thanks to Hua for taking the the time to answer, and thank you all for reading and subscribing.
— Hamish
Photograph courtesy of Pioneer Works. Stay True, published by Vintage.
8: How do your surroundings influence your creative work?
HH: I had the opportunity to work at a residency last summer — no family, all basic needs met, bucolic etc. It was an amazing experience but I realized that I need to be around the world I'm writing/thinking about in order to write/think well. Some people need peace and quiet, but I think I'm not one of those people. Looking for a parking space, walking to the store, complaining about the city noise — it's all part of my process.
8: What tools or techniques have transformed the way you work?
HH: I grew up in the pre-ergonomic age, so getting a fancy office chair — Herman Miller’s Setu — alleviated an incredible amount of casual pain. Also, working exclusively on a desktop, so I can only do so much typing/work on any given day, rather than toting my work with me from room to room, couch to bed.
8: Where do you turn when you’re feeling creatively blocked?
HH: I go for a run.
8: Can you share a film or piece of music that always inspires you?
HH: …
8: What reading material is currently on your nightstand?
HH: I keep a really large and unrealistic stack of books next to my bed. Currently it's Louis Menand's The Free World, Michael Kammen's Mystic Chords of Memory, a Brian Eno biography, a book on running, Sean Patrick Griffin's Black Brothers Inc. (which has been on my nightstand for maybe a decade), an old book of classic New Yorker profiles, a book on relaxation by Thích Nhất Hạnh, and three galleys of books that aren't out yet.
8: What is one piece of art you’d like to own and live with?
HH: It would be cool to have Mark Leckey's “Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore” on a loop in my office.
8: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
HH: Keep all your old band/concert t-shirts.
8: Who are four people (living or dead) you'd invite to a dream dinner party — and where would you host it?
HH: First, I'd bring Mario's, a beloved Mexican restaurant in Berkeley, back from the ashes. My answer to this question changes a lot, but today I'd be amused to dine with Hwui Shan, Edward Payson Vining, Henriette Mertz, and Ed Park.
The Octet is supported by SPECIAL COLLECTIONS, a select shop for artist multiples, collaborations, printed works, and an ever-changing collection of vintage ephemera, books, periodicals, and objects. The current collection, Hand-to-Hand: Cinema Japan, showcases of rare, vintage film posters from Japan and unique items inspired by them.
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