I mentioned it a bit on Facebook, but I did an interview last week on Bloomberg Law about my transition from law to writing. Bloomberg’s Spencer Mazyck interviewed me for his wonderful Stealth Lawyer series and despite a bit of anxiety about being onscreen, the whole thing turned out to be a great experience. I answered questions about my experience at law school and working at a law firm and my ultimate decision to break up with Mr. BigLaw. I was also given the chance to talk about my novel Life After Yes, this blog, the Huffington Post, and my next book (which, frankly, is kicking my butt). I also found myself talking about harder things – the loss of my father, my struggle with postpartum anxiety, the dilemmas I face in writing about my family and my life.
I must say that I felt really nervous watching the segment back for the first time a little while ago, but I’m okay now, sipping my coffee, soaking up this good day, feeling thankful to have had this opportunity. Thank you, Spencer, and Bloomberg TV, for having me!
Okay. Deep breaths… Here it is:
I LOVED this interview, Aidan. It’s such a rare treat that we get to hear your words, rather than just read them. When I read your blog posts, I often think of you from the back of your head, typing away at your laptop, looking out the Starbucks window and pondering life. We see the backs of your children. I often feel like we readers are walking behind you, following your life. This interview is one of the few chances we get to see you from the front. You’re lovely.
You’re so lovely, Aidan! What a pleasure it is to hear about your background, your anxieties, and your writing.
Fabulous job, A!!! I’m sure you were nervous and now a tad anxious about it being out there and all, but you should feel so good about it. Seriously, a great treat to hear you talk about all of this stuff. You rocked it…and you looked fantastic doing it (right, I know, very superficial of me to point that out, but you did
). Totally calling you Stealth Lawyer (at least for the next few weeks).
Aidan! I loved this! I loved hearing your voice (spoken). It really made me feel that much more connected to you. I appreciated your humility, and your vulnerability. GREAT JOB!!!
Oh Aidan! You are my new hero! And I don’t use the word “hero” lightly (think: you’re up there with Jane Goodall and not many others). There’s so much to say that I wouldn’t be doing you enough justice with just a blog comment (perhaps a longer email would be better?), but let me say this: since finding your blog, I have been inspired by you, but now seeing you, hearing your voice, I’m even more inspired. I’ve written down some of your most inspirational comments – “Insecurities can be inspirations.” “We don’t have to wear the mask.” “Tremendous good can come from telling our harder stories.” Thank you. Again and again and again, thank you. THIS is why I come here.
One of the very best things is that I feel like I can relate to you – similar pasts, similar hardships, similar thoughts – and I don’t know if that’s your intention with your blog, but I think that’s what makes you human and real to your readers. In this interview, you discuss how some things are off limits, and I would agree with that, but your accessibility as a writer, as a blogger, as a mother, makes it easier, at least for me (and hopefully many others) to comment here and to be here with you.
One more thing – you are beautiful! This video demonstrates how smart you are, how thoughtful you are, how beautiful, composed, and articulate you are.
Thank you, again, for sharing!
Great interview!! You were wonderful, so poised and honest and well-spoken. And you looked like a lawyer a bit which makes me smile
.
Quite lovely. You represented yourself beautifully. You’re just as charming and genuine on screen as in person. Well done.
Bravo!! I am impressed. And you look amazing. xox
I was having a not-great day (to put it mildly). I stopped by your blog, and was really happy to find that interview: It was just the inspiration I needed, and it was a nice addition to hear you speak your words.
Long time reader (since before you announced you were pregnant with Little Girl) who has been working up the courage to comment for some time. I love your blog (always save it for last on my google reader)and loved getting to hear you speak – you were so poised! As a young lawyer who started reading your blog while in law school, so much of what you write speaks directly to the big questions I think we all grapple with. Thank you.
Great interview! And it makes me VERY excited for the new book. It sounds like something I could very definitely relate to and already has my interest and I’m already asking questions!
We really really enjoyed watching your interview. You did such a good job! Congrats on your many accomplishments and belated happy birthday to big girl. Your birthday post to her was moving & wonderful.
Great interview, Aidan.
Hi Aidan,
This was great. It was fun to watch and gaining a fuller picture of who you are.
Fantastic! Love your vulnerability and strength. Great work. Looking forward to your next book.
Very well-spoken! Can’t wait to read your second novel. Sounds like it will hit home for me.
So proud of you, A! Finally found the time to sit down and watch at the end of a crazy and tough day, and I was and am so impressed by how comfortable you were. Poised – that is exactly the word. You may indeed have a future in TV
Though I’ve been a reader for a few years, I found it interesting to see (and hear) you full on like this. The only time I kind of recognized you as *you* were the side profile shots. It’s strange how the flatness of a blog and a headshot can convince us we know someone when really, we have absolutely no idea at all. Come to think of it, even a video is flat. Still, I am glad to know this piece of you. Well done.
Just wanted to pop in here at this uber-early hour and say thank you. Doing the Bloomberg interview was a departure for me. Clearly, I am used to this place, to ducking behind my trusty screen, to writing words and shaping little stories. But being in front of a camera was a whole new beast and I was anxious about it. I was surprised at how much fun I had while doing it, how part of me wished Spencer would keep asking me questions so I’d have an opportunity to tell more and more. I realized then, in a caricatured on-camera way, how nice it is to be asked to tell our stories. I try to do that from time to time here at ADR and I vow to do more of it. I hate the idea that many of us are going through our lives, the days and years piling up, and we are not being asked about who we are, and were, and are becoming.
Anyway, all of this has me pondering whether I will perhaps do a little video blogging here. Maybe once in a while? I do like the idea of little video bits or confessionals. I think that would only add to the “realness” I aim for here. My hair wouldn’t be quite as coiffed in these bits though and I wouldn’t have a face full of professional makeup; Consider yourself warned.
Again, thank you all. For supporting me in my comfortable and less-comfortable endeavors. It means so so much.
xoxo
So impressed! Congrats – you did a wonderful job! Thanks for sharing it here. Can’t wait for your next book.
Aidan! That was fantastic
{have been reading along the last month or so and loving your words, and getting back into blogging myself… or rather, into the commenting again instead of just reading… but loving your words, as always!}
Super Duper Job A!
I tried to watch this on my phone at work, but without WiFi the video would intermittently pause to buffer. So, I waited until later in the evening. I wanted to post a comment immediately afterwards, but alas, I was on my phone (again) and posting a comment from there was not going to happen. Anyhow, here I am now to say – you did a brilliant job! You’re such a polished speaker – bravo!
On another note, I’ve followed your blog for a long time and, admittedly, I don’t actually know you. When I watched the video it occurred to me how strange it was to hear you speak – in your real voice. In my head, as I read your words on your blog, your voice sounds different. I liken this to talking to someone on the phone (for work) and not knowing what the person looks like. When you finally see the person – put the face to the voice – it is often different from what you imagine. That was what happened with this video except it was the opposite: I know what you look like from your pictures on this blog, but I had no clue how you sound. I just thought it was such a different perspective of “knowing” someone in the blog universe.
Oh, it’s so lovely to see your face and hear your voice
It completes the wonderful picture that I have of you 