Christopher Sailor: The Notes and Errata Interview

Notes and Errata was recently able to sit down with founder Christopher Sailor to talk about his new newsletter. Newletter?

He arrived more or less awake, incredibly engaged yet continuously distracted, and gave the distinct impression of a man who is at all times very much over-aware of himself.

NAE: I’m glad you could be here.

CS: Sorry I was late.

NAE: It’s okay, I had some things to catch up on. So, what are you doing here exactly?

CS: Trying to think of a witty response to what you just said.

NAE: No, I mean in a more general sense.

CS: I’m giving this interview.

NAE: No, I mean the newsletter.

CS: Oh, I’m sorry.

NAE: That’s okay, stop apologizing.

CS: Sorry. I guess I just feel like our existence is so fractured right now, that it’s hard to find any kind of through line – for me at least – and the idea of creating a newsletter seemed like a good way to bring together a lot of disparate things that I otherwise may have never found an outlet for. I felt like I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted as long as it was all collected under a banner who’s mandate of doing whatever I wanted gave it sort of an inherent structure. But it also keeps me focused and on somewhat of a self-imposed schedule.

NAE: In the past, you’ve been known to be skeptical of the internet.

CS: I wouldn’t say skeptical was the right word – and if I ever was skeptical, there was certainly no one who knew or cared. I think that the internet in a lot of ways has failed to live up to its potential, but I think that rather than use that as an excuse for non-participation, it’s up to smart and thoughtful people to be conscientious about the ways in which it can be used for the enrichment or betterment of society – culturally, politically, intellectually, everything-ly.

NAE: Do you really think you have a hope of living up to that?

CS: Maybe not, but I think that even that question represents a needlessly fatalistic way of looking at it. Even if all I accomplish is making someone giggle at their desk, or helping them think of something in a new way, or letting them realize that, “Hey, look how fucked up this guy is – maybe I’m not alone,” than I think I’ve really accomplished something.

NAE: So what is this is going to be? A high-end literary-type thing?

CS: No. I don’t know. Sometimes, maybe. That’s not really the point – that’s just a sort of best-case-scenario example of what this kind of thing can be, without the mandate of having to be specifically about one type of thing. It can be about anything and everything, filtered through my own perspective. One guy trying to figure out the world. I’m ultimately just a schmuck who’s probably writing this stuff in less clothes than would make you comfortable – but hopefully I’m an entertaining/insightful schmuck.

NAE: That should have been your bio.

CS: Maybe I can figure out how to change it.

NAE: So what kinds of things are you going to post?

CS: Whatever comes to me.

NAE: Maybe some film reviews? Or essays? Short stories? One-act plays? Or more anecdotal stuff? Or maybe videos? Podcasts?

CS: Yes.

NAE: You’re going to talk about everything?

CS: As long as I can find an interesting way to approach it.

NAE: Are you going to talk about sex?

CS: Um, I don’t know…

NAE: Does that make you uncomfortable?

CS: No…

NAE: You’re turning red.

CS: I’m holding in a cough.

NAE: This is a print interview, you can let it out. No one will ever know.

CS: (Coughs).

NAE: Sex is a natural part of life.

CS: I’m aware of that.

NAE: Then why should it make you uncomfortable to talk about it?

CS: Can we change the subject?

NAE: Sure, if you’d like. So what about your–

CS: I’m not afraid to talk about sex. It’s not the sex, it’s the intimacy. I don’t have a lot of experience in talking or writing about things that are intensely personal, is all. But the fact that I’m so afraid of it makes me think that maybe that’s the kind of thing I should force myself to write about from time to time. It’s a good way to overcome insecurity. Don’t you think that’s a good idea?

NAE: Sure, it could be. As long as it’s funny.

CS: Of course it’ll be funny.

NAE: Good. So what kind of things can we look forward to in the near–

CS: Don’t you think I’m funny?

NAE: Sometimes.

CS: What about the other times?

NAE: I think that you’re never less than amusing.

CS: Would you mind terribly if I ever tried to be serious?

NAE: As long as the quality remains consistent, and it always feels like you, I suppose that would be just fine.

CS: I don’t know to what extent I can promise consistent quality. What if I promise to always try?

NAE: Maybe that’s the best that any of us can ask for.

CS: That seems grim, doesn’t it?

NAE: I didn’t mean for it to. I think you’re projecting.

CS: I do that. Sorry.

NAE: Stop apologizing.

CS: You’re right, I’m sorry, I did it again.

NAE: I think that’s as good a time as any to stop.

CS: Is it my fault? Is it because I keep apologizing?

NAE: No, no, not at all. I think that people will have gotten the gist of it by now. Plus I’m sure we’ll be hearing plenty from you soon enough, anyway.

CS: I hope so.

NAE: I think I do, too.

-cs