Is Violet Glaze your legal name or your pen name?
It's my legal name. It has reminded people variously of a Raymond Chandler character, a burlesque dancer, a porn star, a Southern dowager, and a "deadly doughnut." I am none of the above.
Is this you?
No.
Why is your middle name "Cellar Door"?
When my mother was pregnant with me, my father had a dream I would be named "Cellar Door." It has nothing to do with Donnie Darko, although I do appreciate the synchronicity. (I got off easy. My father dreamed my sisters' names were "Tumbleweed" and "Camel Waters".)
Maybe God was saying "Stella D'oro" ("golden star") and your dad misheard "Cellar Door"?
That's my grandfather's theory. Sounds good to me.
Didn't I see your name in the City Paper?
Yes, the Baltimore City Paper has been very good to me. I'm a film critic for the paper, as well as occasional book critic and arts feature writer. I rub verbal shoulders with some of the most talented writers in the city.
Didn't I hear you on the radio?
Yes, that's me doing movie reviews every other Friday on 89.7 FM in Towson, MD.How can I be a film critic?
Many people think they're qualified to be a film critic because they love movies. But writing ability is what will get you hired. Do what I did - write up a few samples and submit them to the paper you'd like to work for. Be forewarned that if you get the job, you will see many terrible movies.
When is your next book coming out?
As soon as I find a publisher.
What does your tattoo mean?
Which one?
The one on your arm.
The one on the left says "Lilith" in Hebrew. The one on the right is the Arecibo message.
Are you Jewish?
No.
Is Lilith your Hebrew name?
No. (See above.)
What is your favorite book?
Mark Salzman's Iron and Silk. And Bruce Brooks' The Moves Make The Man.No, I mean which book you've written.
Ask me again in a decade.
When is your next appearance?
Check the news section.
If I meet you at an event and say hello, will you be a nice person?
Yes.
Kirk or Spock?
Spock. Always Spock.