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Author Revealed

Alan Lazar
Photograph by Maia Rosenfeld Photography

Alan Lazar

Alan Lazar is a platinum-selling musician/composer whose career began in his native South Africa. He lives in Los Angeles, where he has composed music for more than 30 films and TV shows. This is his first novel.

Author Revealed:
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. "Every dog has its day"
Learn more about Alan Lazar
Alan Lazar Revealed
About Alan Lazar
  • What is your birthdate?:
    12/15
  • Previous occupations:
    Composer, Film Director, Dogwalker
  • Favorite job:
    Writing ROAM
  • High school and/or college:
    Hyde Park High School and Wits University in Johannesburg, and then the USC School of Cinema Television in LA
  • Name of your favorite composer or music artist?:
    Gaga, Couperin
  • Favorite movie:
    Star Wars (and recently Black Swan)
  • Favorite television show:
    Glee, Dexter, True Blood, Top Chef
Revealing Questions
Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
A. An addictive cocktail marred by occasional bad olives
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. "Every dog has its day"
Q. How would you describe perfect happiness?
A. That tingly exciting feeling I get when I've finished a book or piece of music, and no-one has yet read it or heard it - it feels like a delicious secret that I can unveil to people. Also, a smile from my baby girl. Travels with family to anywhere exotic. A delicious gourmet meal. A big win at poker. And my dog, the real Nelson, licking my face when I'm lying on the couch.
Q. What’s your greatest fear?
A. Dying
Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
A. Ten years in the future (but only for a day)
Q. With whom in history do you most identify?
A. Merlin
Q. Which living person do you most admire?
A. Nelson Mandela
Q. What are your most overused words or phrases?
A. hugged, kissed, tears, smelled
Q. What do you regret most?
A. Never living in New York City
Q. If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
A. Singing
Q. What is your greatest achievement?
A. My baby girl
Q. What’s your greatest flaw?
A. Wanting to be perfect
Q. What’s your best quality?
A. Optimism (when I have it)
Q. If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
A. Pavarotti (but permanently aged 40)
Q. What trait is most noticeable about you?
A. I like to talk a lot, but I'm a good listener too
Q. Who is your favorite fictional hero?
A. Gandalf
Q. Who is your favorite fictional villain?
A. Hannibal Lecter
Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
A. I would like to meet Jesus, and ask him what he thinks about all the major religions in the world today.
Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
A. People who don't take their dogs for a walk
Q. What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
A. Composing music and watching movies
Q. What’s your fantasy profession?
A. Vet, bank fraud investigator
Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
A. Honesty, courage, humor
Q. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
A. Roast chicken (ok, probably chocolate)
Q. What are your 5 favorite songs?
A. This is something that changes all the time but here are the current ones - Mozart's Piano Concerto, Lady Gaga - "We are who we are", Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, "The Mysterious Barricades" by Couperin, "The Wind" by Cat Stevens
On Books and Writing
Q. Who are your favorite authors?
A. This also changes all the time. Currently I like (no particular order) Abraham Verghese, Emma Donoghue, Junot Diaz, Jennifer Egan, Ian McEwan, Julian May, Philip K Dick and Khaled Hosseini.
Q. What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
A. I've tried and tried and I just can't answer this question :-) Great Expectations is the only one I'm sure of.
Q. Is there a book you love to reread?
A. The Tao Te Ching
Q. Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
A. If you try and write something commercial, it will most likely not work.
Q. What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
A. I cried (does that sound arrogant?)