Five questions for Neil Barnett
November 21, 2007
Neil Barrnett is an independent journalist, based in Budapest since
2000. Neil covers Central & Eastern Europe and occasionally the
Middle East for the Spectator, Private Eye and Jane’s. He will
be reading from his first book, Tito (Life & Times) at the upcoming Bardroom event on December 2.
1. Do you actually have moments of inspiration or is writing just a process of slogging day in and day out?
“Yes. I’m quite idle and often stumped by the meaning or explanation of events I’m looking at. When I’m reading and researching it’s often a jumble, but later when I’m staring at the ceiling or looking out of the window everything suddenly falls into place. I suspect most of the cogitation goes on while I’m asleep.”
2. What’s the last thing you read that made your hair stand up on end?
“I don’t have hair.”
3. Did you ever get laid because something you wrote?
“Yes, it was a cheque. Actually no, but open to suggestions on this point.”
4. What would you have been if you hadn’t become a writer?
“A skiing instructor in winter and sailing bum in summer.”
5. What’s the worst thing about writing a book?
“It’s pretty time consuming compared to, for example, reading a book. I’m pretty impatient and I like to be at large, so I have to be in the right mood to bury myself in the library and write.”
