Comedian/Essayist Mary Jo Pehl on Employee of the Month
If you have enjoyed the comedy of Mystery Science Theater 3000, or the more recent movie-mocking gang, Cinematic Titanic, you have comedian/print and radio essayist Mary Jo Pehl partially to thank. There are a few writers that have the power to bring a smile to my face, far less writers can make me laugh uncontrollably. I have grown to rely on Pehl to always be in the latter writer category. Her recently released book, Employee of the Month and Other Big Deals, features some of the comedian/essayist's strongest (and most amusing) tales. This collection of essays partially chronicles her life as she moved from Minnesota to New York, then ultimately Texas--with all the great and funny tales in between. Upon learning of her new book, I contacted Pehl for a brief email interview about her stories, as well learning which writers entertain her...among other big deals (to clearly borrow from her title).
The blurbs in praise of this book are the who's who of good comedy, including Trace Beaulieu who said: "Mary Jo Pehl can do what very few authors can—make me laugh out loud." How gratifying was it to see your peers say things like this and of a similar vein?
I suppose I put them on the spot since we travel together and they’d have to face me. Still, I really respect and value their sensibilities, and so was hoping they’d think of something good to say about the book.
How cathartic was it to write the write the introduction, where you were able to discuss your other previously published "book" (a term I assume you prefer I use loosely).
A friend sent me this quote by Robert Cormier: "The beautiful part of writing is that you don't have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon."
I remember reading an essay or story by Ann LaMotte in which she spoke of a high-profile failure. I was so struck by how candid – and funny – she was about the whole thing. That resonated with me, just to own up to it and to realize there are no perfect systems. It’s very freeing to be honest. It’s very freeing to be able to laugh at one’s self. It’s very freeing to admit there were mistakes along the way!
I hope it was clear that the whole thing wasn’t the publisher’s fault. He was a sweet fellow. It just wasn’t a good match and I hadn’t thought it through nor did I take enough responsibility for the end result.
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