Interview with Jason Croot, Author of 'My Ego Screwed My Acting Career: Based On A True Story'
What made you decide to write your autobiography, and how did you decide which parts of your life to focus on?
I’ve always loved writing and dreamt about writing a book, well at least for the past 20 years or so, but after quite a few bodged attempts to write a novel, I figured I should attempt to write about something I know about, so an autobiography, seemed the best bet.
And the parts I focused on, well, honestly, there isn’t much I left out. But, of course, my acting career is woven in and out of the narrative.
Was it difficult to relive certain moments
while writing about your life? How did you manage emotionally challenging parts
of your story?
It was totally difficult to write about some things; I mean, I tend to bury the dark stuff in my life, so revisiting those moments (which were necessary) really hurt, you know, things like the losses of loved ones and my times of deep depression.
I guess I have come to terms with the pain of those emotionally challenging experiences; I guess I’ve come to realise that everyone faces challenging times, some more than others. But we simply shouldn’t compare because everyone is made up differently. I shed a few tears inside and out when writing about some of the heavy stuff.
How did your perception of yourself or your
life change throughout the writing process? Did you gain any new insights or
perspectives on your own journey?
It made me realise how foolish I’d been, and I really couldn’t figure out some of my rash decisions and choices back in the day.
I definitely gained new perspectives when writing the book, such as the realisation that we should embrace failure, take risks, and not give a damn about what anyone thinks of us. We should listen to advice from the ones who support, care for, and love us. And talking of those supportive folks, we don’t have to follow their advice, but we should hear them out all the same.
What were some of the biggest challenges or unexpected
surprises you encountered in the writing or publishing process, especially as
someone taking on much of the work independently?
There were eighty-five thousand challenges and a few surprises in writing and getting to the publishing stage.
Starting with the challenges, writing this book was the most creative and challenging thing I have ever encountered. I soon discovered it wasn’t just a case of writing; you need to revise and edit a bajillion times. Then, when you hire an editor, you need to know and ensure they are on the same hymn sheet. I’m a skint out-of-work actor, so getting to the publishing stage meant asking lots of favours.
Moving on from the writing and editing, then there is the formatting, not to mention the pictures. I have almost fifty pics in my book, which was a proper formatting mare. Then, just when you think it’s over, there is the marketing and promoting. It’s really a full-time job in itself.
Another big challenge was that I decided to release my book simultaneously with Al Pacino’s autobiography, Sonny Boy: A Memoir. What was I thinking? :)
The biggest surprise was the number of sharks,
piranhas, and barracudas in the writing world. In saying that, I came up with
the likes in my filmmaking career, but like then and still now, my warning is.
“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” (A line from the movie Jaws).
What do you hope readers can learn or relate
to from your personal story? Are there specific themes or messages you want to
convey through your autobiography?
Even though the book title is, My Ego Screwed My Acting Career. I’d like to think the book covers more than my acting career, you know.
It’s my life’s journey, friendships, relationships, and much more.
Like most books, it won’t be for everyone; it certainly isn’t just for actors.
Messages, well, without giving so much away, I used a lot of symbolic stuff. I will give you one example: I struggled at school; I couldn’t understand why schools were using the archaic system that belonged in Oliver. And let’s say some teachers, and I didn’t see eye to eye. It was more like my eye to the bamboo stick that whacked my fingers. So, given that period of my life, at least at school, it was tough. One of my embedded messages related to those times was a Chapter titled Another Brick in the Wall. There are tons more hidden messages; it’s just a case of finding them. I have tried to use some humour through my pain and adversity. I guess that’s the message I wanted to portray. We must try to smile and laugh at the darkest of times. It’s okay to cry, too.
Where did you find your inspiration? Were you
inspired by any other writers?
I can’t pinpoint my inspiration; I believe that inspiration has to come from within.
I love reading books, and I love it when writers can make words dance, you know, like Bill Bryson and Salman Rushdie do. Victor Hugo and Oscar Wilde did, too.
But their work is outstanding and a million miles better or different to mine. Whereas Dario Fo’s work truly inspired me. Look, by no means am I suggesting I’m on par with Dario Fo (and I tried to avoid politics in my work), but I love what he did with The Accidental Death of an Anarchist, and I loved how he weaved the comedy through adversity; I’ve tried my best to do the same.
Finally, where can people find your book,
My Ego Screwed My Acting Career: Based On A True Story?
At the moment, it’s on Amazon worldwide; the publishing company is pitching bookstores, so hopefully, it will pop up in a bookstore near you.
Amazon: U.K and USA & WORLDWIDE
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