Wabash College - Class of 1991

Late this summer, I stopped into Steve Charles office on campus. He’s the editor of the Wabash Magazine, and I wanted to explore some topics for writing for the magazine. I’ve been itching to get back to some real writing (as evidenced by the occasional essay on this blog), and the premier publication of our alma mater seemed like the best place to start.

The topic came up about my occasion to interview Indiana author and legendary curmudgeon Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., and I said, “Well, you know the story about how I landed the interview is probably more interesting that the interview itself.” Steve’s good about organically finding the crux of a good story. “Why don’t you write that up?” he suggested.

Even after five or six years, the tale was clear in my mind. I’ve had occasion to tell it to the sorry soul who bothered to ask, so I already had it reasonably fashioned in my mind. An hour or two at the laptop, and it was done, fully formed like Aphrodite emerging from Zeus’ head.

Here’s the link. I hope you enjoy it. I promise that there’s more to come.

No, Sean Fahey, I don’t think I was being too hard on ol’ Kurt!