News & Features » February 2013 » Literary Lions: 13 Questions with Krist Novoselic

Literary Lions: 13 Questions with Krist Novoselic

Johnny Temple: Who’s the first person that encouraged you to be a writer?

Krist Novoselic: Just other people who read my work and gave me compliments.

JT: What is your biggest pet peeve?

KN: Big carry-on bags on the plane. But I guess that the airlines charge for bags now, so I don’t blame people. I fly my own plane, a Cessna 182, so I don’t deal with other travelers as much.

JT: What book has given you nightmares, or otherwise appeared to you in dreams?

KN: College textbooks. I attend Washington State University online. I have literally tossed and turned with math expressions in my head!

JT: What book(s) are you reading right now?

KN: I just finished Broken Spears, the indigenous account of the collapse of the Aztec empire. Spanish missionaries had adopted Latin script into Nahuatl. Native survivors gave accounts in a way that captured Aztec mystical traditions.

JT: Approximately how many town hall meetings have you been to?

KN: Countless. Instead of commenting on political blogs, I go to local hearings instead. Too many people ignore what’s gong on in their communities, and the irony is, that’s where you can make a difference.

JT: Have you ever been to a freak show?

KN: I’ve met Jim Rose before.

JT: Who’s your favorite author (or book) that no one’s ever heard of?

KN: Political Parties by Robert Michels. This is a sociology study from 100 years ago that nails the dynamics of how groups work in politics. If people really start to work together, instead of browsing the Internet or watching cable TV news shows, this book offers insight into the universal group dynamic.

JT: Who’s your favorite author that everyone’s heard of?

KN: Jack Kerouac. I love to travel with him in The Dharma Bums.

JT: Do you avoid high school and college reunions or do you embrace them?

KN: I just don’t have time. Plus I’m famous and these events just exacerbate the fame hassles.

JT: What’s your favorite single syllable word?

KN: Pop.

JT: If you could make up a word, what would it be? No definitions permitted.

KN: Floatend.

JT: What existing word would you prefer had a different definition? State word and redefine.

KN: Grunge: The sound of granola grinding in one’s mouth.

JT: What was the best movie made in the 1970s?

KN: Holy Mountain by Alejandro Jodorowsky.

KRIST NOVOSELIC was born in Compton, California in 1965 and grew up in Croatia and Aberdeen, Washington. He was a founding member of the legendary rock band Nirvana, and along with bandmates Kurt Cobain and David Grohl, Novoselic helped to change the course of music history in 1992 when Nirvana snapped up Billboard magazine’s number one spot with their highly acclaimed album Nevermind, which went on to sell millions of copies around the world. Nirvana opened the doors for a new generation of musicians and bands. After Nirvana, Novoselic went on to become one of rock music’s most politically minded musicians. He has committed himself to numerous community projects and is now an influential political voice in Washington State. Of Grunge and Government is Krist Novoselic’s first book, and he currently lives in Southwest Washington State.

Posted: Feb 17, 2013

Category: Literary Lions | Tags: Johnny Temple, Krist Novoselic, Literary Lions, Nirvana, Of Grunge and Government