The Budapest Bardroom

David Hill co-founded The Bardroom with Jim Scrivener in 2001, and regularly appeared in the series as a host and poet until 2005. During that time he also worked at the Budapest Business Journal, and translated Hungarian poetry and lyrics. Now he lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife Elizabeth, whom he first met at a Bardroom event. He still translates for the Hungarian band Little Cow (latest English-language album: A Man in a Tree, 2008). His new poetry collection is Consumed (KenArnoldBooks, Portland, 2008), which you can find on Amazon.

1. What was your first (poem / piece of writing), and how bad was it?

“I started a comic with a couple of friends when I was 9. We got our parents to photocopy it, and sold it in the playground. My recurring character was a goofy superhero, Superchap, with his sidekick, Blunderbloke. What do you mean? It was absolutely brilliant.”

2. Are you currently working on anything, and why’s it taking so long?

“Promoting the new book through readings. When something’s so much fun, why rush to finish it?”

3. What word best describes the writer scene in your town: lame, poser, hip, upandcoming, hibernating?

“A lot of young writers in Portland have tattoos and drink latte. I think that’s hip, isn’t it?”

4. How much longer will the book last as our primary vehicle of knowledge?

“Our P.V.K., hmmm. I’m going to have to stroke my chin about that one a bit. Wait, which book are you talking about? My new one?”

5. What would you have been if you hadn’t become a writer?

“I don’t have any other abilities.”

Jon Tarnoc was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1964. He’s a bilingual poet and musician. He’s lived in Canada, Greece, Israel, Spain and Italy, supporting himself as an ESL teacher. You may find out more about him by checking out his website: www.jontarnoc.com.

1. Did you ever get laid because something you wrote?

“Thank God, no. I would be awfully sorry to woo with my words.”

2. Does poetry matter anymore?

“It doesn’t, because it’s all written down. But music and poetry, drama and poetry, the fine arts and poetry, photography and poetry, and even films and poetry do. Where would they be without poetry?”

3. How much longer will the book last as our primary vehicle of knowledge?

“Books will outlive computers. Memory will outlive books. In other words, our culture might become oral once again.”

4. What would you have been if you hadn’t become a writer?

“A business executive.”

5. What’s the worst thing about writing a book?

“If it happens to be a novel, the worst thing about writing is not writing. But if it is a book of verse: the contrary.”