I am honored today to be able to share an interview with Jon Jon Lannen, the author of The Giraffe That Taught Me How To Laugh! Please check out Jon Jon's website and see what kind of cool stuff he's got going on. Also please check out The Giraffe That Taught Me How To Laugh on Amazon!
Jon Jon Lannen is a writer, actor & director living in Denver, Colorado. Jon Jon has been performing improv comedy for over ten years and wants everyone to fall in love with the art of improvisation. Jon Jon writes and performs regularly. He formerly co-founded and ran FORK Productions, along with executive produced the Denver Improv Festival. He recently won Outstanding Author and Outstanding Entertainer by Outfront Magazine. Jon Jon also won the third season of Denver's Next Improv Star. Lannen has performed and taught in improv festivals across the country, including Chicago, Colorado Springs, Denver, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York City and Oklahoma City. Jon Jon Lannen currently owns and operates Jon Jon & Co. and is the author of the award-winning book, The Giraffe That Taught Me How To Laugh. Lannen is also adjunct faculty, teaching improvisation, at numerous schools throughout the state.
For information on the author: www.jonjonandco.com
Author
Interview
·
When
did you first realize that you wanted to write this book?
o
I’ve
always loved writing and making people laugh. Growing up, I was always an
improviser, but never knew what it was called. There was no work out there that
spoke improv to kids. I knew I had to write it. The Giraffe That Taught Me How To Laugh is the book I wish I had as
a kid.
·
How
many books have you written?
o
I’ve
written and published one book, The
Giraffe That Taught Me How To Laugh.
·
What
are you currently working on?
o
I
am currently casting for andCo, a short-form improvisational show. The troupe
is in its fourth season. I’m also concluding the edits on my next book, The Giraffe and Cheetah Taught Me Theater.
All of my upcoming projects are on the Jon Jon & Co. site:
www.jonjonandco.com
·
Who
is your favorite character from one of your stories?
o
Life,
the giraffe. That’s definitely my favorite character. Life loves improve so
much. That energy is so contagious!
·
What
do you do when you’re not writing?
o
When
I’m not writing, I perform improv comedy and teach workshops/seminars
regularly. I own and operate a boutique-style firm named Jon Jon & Co.
focusing on coaching, comedy and consulting.
·
What
is the strangest writing habit that you have?
o
The
strangest writing habit? For one, I’m not a writer that can crank out a
manuscript in a week. I truly have to be inspired organically before I start
writing. Some writers think that’s nutso.
·
What
inspires your stories?
o
Improvisation
and life.
·
What
advice would you give aspiring writers?
o
Believe
in yourself and write about what you care about. True intention can always be
read; literally and figuratively.
·
What
book could you read over and over again?
o
Anything
from Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein.
·
What
famous person would you love to have as a fan of your work?
o
Honestly?
Whoopi Goldberg. She’s been an inspiration to me since Sister Act. If she were
a fan of my work, I would be over the moon with excitement!
·
If
you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have ONE character from a
book on the island with you, who would it be and why?
o
That’s
an easy one. Life, the giraffe.
For more information on the author and Jon Jon & Co: JonJonandCo
To purchase the book on Jon Jon & Co: JonJonandCo.com Webstore
To purchase the book on Amazon
To purchase the book on Jon Jon & Co: JonJonandCo.com Webstore
To purchase the book on Amazon