Jonathan Ames is a writer, boxer, storyteller and, most recently, the creator of the HBO series, "Bored to Death." His books include "The Extra Man" and "Wake Up Sir" and the collection of essays, "The Double Life is Twice as Good." Ames is a frequent performer at the storytelling group, The Moth and has appeared in boxing tournaments as "The Herring Wonder." A graduate of Princeton and Columbia Universities, he lives in Brooklyn.
The writer often loses sleep over the dread of disappointing others.
From sex to his great-aunt, Jonathan Ames’ oeuvre is laced with a variety of obsessions, including the desire to let books themselves shape our fates
Of course they are. And, as Jonathan Ames explains, they’re also still finding the time to visit peep shows.
Striving for titillation may be fun, but for Jonathan Ames the true aim of writing about the act is somewhat cathartic--if only he could reach all of those needy souls posting odd desires on Craigslist.
After years of forced frugality, the novelist Jonathan Ames has been clueless about what to do with his new paycheck as an HBO producer—one purchase, however, has been obvious, getting rid of his age old bed.
Jonathan Ames takes the casual approach to writing, punctuating his time in front of the screen with periods of “messing around,” lying down, coffee drinking, and efforts to feel a bit less afraid.
In his long career as a storyteller, Jonathan Ames has learned a thing or two about how to entertain. A few quick tips: don’t memorize your lines, and always be honest about your own neuroses.
Sometimes the most valuable thing you can do as a writer is to just “hang out” with what you love. For Jonathan Ames, this meant many long nights in Midtown with boxers and transsexuals.
Big Think sits down with the author and creator of, “Bored to Death.”