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Author Revealed

Alex Tresniowski
Photograph by Lorraine Stundis

Alex Tresniowski

Alex Tresniowski is a writer living and working in New York City. He has been a senior writer for People Magazine since 1998, writing numerous cover stories and focusing on human interest, crime, and sports. He is also the author of six books,... Read full bio

Author Revealed:
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. Be passionate
Learn more about Alex Tresniowski
Alex Tresniowski Revealed
About Alex Tresniowski
  • Previous occupations:
    Bartender, temp, cashier, answering letters sent in to TIME magazine
  • Favorite job:
    Writing anything
  • High school and/or college:
    Loyola HS in NYC, Georgetown University
  • Name of your favorite composer or music artist?:
    Mark Linkous
  • Favorite movie:
    Sideways
  • Favorite television show:
    The Larry Sanders Show
Revealing Questions
Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
A. Blessed and lucky - there, I only needed three
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. Be passionate
Q. How would you describe perfect happiness?
A. Perfect happiness is people. We can be seduced into thinking that work and accomplishments are great sources of happiness, and they can be. But PERFECT happiness is about being with the people (and pets) you love.
Q. What’s your greatest fear?
A. Apathy
Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
A. 12th hole, Augusta National
Q. With whom in history do you most identify?
A. Waiters and bartenders of all eras
Q. Which living person do you most admire?
A. Obama
Q. What are your most overused words or phrases?
A. "awesome" and "That'll do, pig"
Q. What do you regret most?
A. Not enough space here
Q. If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
A. Is invisibility a talent?
Q. What is your greatest achievement?
A. Hasn't happened yet
Q. What’s your greatest flaw?
A. Falling out of touch with friends
Q. What’s your best quality?
A. Kindness
Q. If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
A. A great bar
Q. What trait is most noticeable about you?
A. Sheepishness
Q. Who is your favorite fictional hero?
A. Sidney Falco
Q. Who is your favorite fictional villain?
A. J.J. Hunsecker
Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
A. Buddha: "Thank you"
Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
A. People who slowly—SLOWLY—put change back in their purse or wallet while people wait behind them in a checkout line
Q. What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
A. Dog walker
Q. What’s your fantasy profession?
A. First Baseman
Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
A. Thoughtfulness, empathy, grace
Q. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
A. bananas
Q. What are your 5 favorite songs?
A. Red Right Ankle, Creep and any three songs by Sparklehorse
On Books and Writing
Q. Who are your favorite authors?
A. Hemingway, Fitzgerald, DeLillo, Nicholson Baker, Yann Martel
Q. What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
A. The Sun Also Rises
The Great Gatsby

Life of Pi

Life of Pi

Life of Pi (read it three times)
Q. Is there a book you love to reread?
A. Life of Pi
Q. Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
A. You get better with every sentence you write, so write a lot
Q. What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
A. Wow, you're tall