Jeff Will Be Jeff: Deb Interviews Best-Selling Sports Author Jeff Pearlman

Most of the world knows Jeff Pearlman as a best-selling author, nationally syndicated writer at Sports Illustrated, and blogger. I know him as a guy who always has time for everyone. Someone who likes to be read, likes to talk, and also likes to listen.

The first time I met him was a few years ago. He was in the beginning stages of "Boys Will be Boys" and we had exchanged a few emails on doing some promotions, with Reg and I having a Cowboys site. We did some marketing for him and he did radio shows and signed books for us.

But it's even more than that. I am by most worldly standards, no one. I am not famous. I haven't done anything worth remembering.

Yet Jeff always remembers me. Today I asked him for a favor, explained to him we needed a headline article for our first SJ magazine, and I had an interview an hour later.

That is the other thing I love about that guy. He's not fussy about his content or where his words find themselves. He just loves to write, and loves people to read what he wrote.

Jeff's new book is about Walter Payton. I asked him a little about his new book, and at the end I will post the links for his blog, his books, if you haven't checked them out yet. So here is Jeff...

I see you have been counting words. What is your new book about and how many words do you have to go?

It's a biography of the great Walter Payton. About 30,000 words—and two months of hell—to go.

"How much time goes into researching your books, subjects as opposed to writing?

"

The bulk of the time is research. If I have two years to work on a project, 1 1/2 years is all reporting. Digging through clips, tracking down interviewees, finding media guides, etc ... etc. It's hellish, but it's my kind of hell.

"You've written about some really dynamic people. Who has been your favorite so far and why?
"

I'd say the '90s Cowboys—and not just because you're the one asking. They were so fun and dynamic and mysterious and cool. Characters like Michael Irvin come along for a writer once every decade or so.

I could write about him forever—the highs and lows, good and bad. Then you throw in the Emmitts, the Aikmans,. Just great, never-ending storylines.

"


I love everything you write. I especially love to read about your everyday life, your kids. How do you keep that balance?
"

That's insanely kind of you. I don't know if it's balance. I'd just say the wife and I made a commitment when our daughter was born seven years ago to be as involved and active and present as possible.

For me, (writing) books is the golden ticket in that realm. Do I make as much annually as I did during my SI magazine days? Probably not.

But I'm able to watch my kids grow up every day. I take my daughter to ballet, drop my son off at school, etc...etc. It's an enormous payoff.

"Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?

Oddly, I do. It was in 1988, for the Mahopac High School student newspaper, The Chieftain. It was a profile of the boys cross country team–which I was a member of. Quite a conflict of interest, but I was just 16.
"

"When can we expect to see your new book?

"

August 2011. Wish it were sooner.

"Any advice to anyone who loves to write and is starting out?

"

Yeah, more than anything, read, read, read. Read great writing and pay attention. Close attention. To transitions and phrasing and paragraphing and tone and texture. That's what I used to do...still do. Pick up an SI or ESPN the Mag or New York Times or Dallas Morning News or whatever and study. That's a great first step.

"Giants or Rangers?

"

Rangers in 7.


Check out Jeff's Site. You can read his blog, order books, or generally just see what is on his mind. Feel free to drop him a line and say hi. He always answers his mail. http://jeffpearlman.com/

Deb is a Jabberhead and SJ Magazine Advisor & Contributor. Read & discuss this article and more in the Inaugural Edition of SJ Magazine.

http://issuu.com/sportsjabber/docs/sjmag-nov10