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Im obsessed withMurder on Sex Island.
And then theres Jo Firestone, whos reason enough alone to get excited about a project.
Turns out, it isnt a bit.
You live and learn.
What prompted you to pick up a murder mystery?
Oh, I love reading mysteries.
Its basically looking at your phone, but better for you.
I was also unemployed and had a lot of time.
You know, the Judy Blume lifestyle, Key West, and so on.
Then I wrote it, pitched it around, and nobody wanted it at all.
So then I was like, I wrote this whole freaking book, so I guess Ill self-publish it.
Which I did, but now Ive done it really the wrong way.
The actual book is coming out a month after the audiobook, which is coming out for free.
I thought that would tantalize people to buy the book.
Now I think its actually just a way for people not to buy the book.
But thats okay, I guess.
Every time you search the title, Jeffrey Epstein comes up.
So its just one thing after another, but thats okay.
How are you finding the response at this point?
I dont know how many people are listening, but its fun to put it out there.
I dont think she wouldve texted me if I didnt write this book.
Tell me about taking a writing class.
Oh, it was such a great class.
Everyone should take this class.
Its with the Gotham Writers Workshop.
Its not in person.
You dont even have to be on camera, theres no Zoom element.
You never have to show your face.
Its enough pressure to try and make it as good as possible.
I might read a lot of mysteries, but I really didnt know how to write one.
So learning structures and conventions was helpful.
Like, did you know that if youre going to do a mystery, youhaveto kill.
They really prefer you to kill.
Well theresDude, Wheres My Car?
Well, obviously there are exceptions.
But on the whole, you have to kill.
You cant just say, It was a beautiful dresser.
Youve been doing comedy and writing for television for a bit.
Was it tough to go to a class and learn something from scratch?
No, it was great.
Its great to learn.
I dont know with comedy, I think there are some rules, but not really.
With a murder mystery, there are always rules.
With comedy, its more like… Make em laugh.
Sure, but, like, how?
And the whole goal is to get people invested however you’re able to.
I think everybody should take a mystery class.
Its a really good use of time.
Maybe not the book rejection so much; I dont recommend that.
But I do recommend to work on your own stuff and be your own judge.
You mentioned reading a lot of murder mysteries.
What are your favorites?
I just read the new Rebecca Makkai book,I Have Some Questions for You.That was really juicy.
I love theThursday Murder Clubbooks, thats a little more lighthearted.
Its not as scary.
I also loveMary Higgins Clark.
What draws to the genre?
Well, Im, like, a nervous person and I really want people to be okay.
Yeah, kind of.
This might be a ham-fisted question, but do you see any relationship between comedy and murder mysteries?
I bet there is.
Im sure theres a similarity.
In theory, comedy is about building up tension and releasing it, right?
I guess mysteries are kind of like that as well.
That makes sense to me.
But I also think I really dont take a stab at solve mysteries.
Ive never solved one as Im reading them.
I find I cant think while getting sucked in.
Personally, I have the same relationship with mysteries as with comedy.
I like to be taken out of my head and just be delighted and sucked in.
I tried to do that when I was younger, but it felt really unsatisfying.
It did not feel good.
Its actually a way to be, like, How do I not enjoy this as much as possible?
This is how I ruin things for myself.
The other major aspect ofMurder on Sex Islandis the fact that the mystery takes place within a reality-television setting.
Did that pairing feel natural to you?
You know, I do think reality dating shows feel a little like murder mysteries to me.
I want things to get resolved, I want them to be happy, but theyll never be happy.
Like a murder mystery without a culprit?
Do you have a favorite flavor of reality television?
But I think my favorite flavor isReal Housewives.
[quietly]Beverly Hills.
Im more of aSalt Lakeperson.
Oh thats a fun group of people.
I dont know if its a frequency thing, but it happens every single time.
I keep trying to start a new episode, and the dog starts shaking.
I turn it off, the dog stops shaking.
SoBeverly Hillsstays your go-to, then?
What should you feel after watchingHousewives?
That these producers are very good at their jobs.
That the edit is working hard.
That these housewives are working hard on their appearance, and they have a lot of money.
But my own instinct is, like, I look bad, and thats maybe not the right interpretation.
So I usually have it on when Im doing something else.
Like, if it was a podcast, it would be perfect.
Are you aLove Is Blindperson?
Oh, I do watch that.
I likeFuckboy Islanda lot.
That one is really fun because its a little more tongue in cheek.
Its refreshing that way.
I think my whole thing with reality television stemmed from watchingElimidateandNext.
I like that style of show.
They have to go back to high school.
So the podcast is coming out weekly, and the book drops October 17.
Does this make you want to write more murder mysteries?
Well, the thing is, Ive, uhm, spent a lot of money on this.
It was really fun to be focused.
It was really fun to create a story.
Perhaps that story is not good.
Im a person that tries a lot of different things to figure out what feels right.
Im always trying these new projects to be like, Is this what Im supposed to be?
Does this feel like this isthething?
But, if it turns out it looks like shit, who knows.
