He’s been compared to Kerouac, Thompson, even Vonnegut. And though there may be similarities in writing styles, AC Weisbecker still does things his own way. It’s a way that’s got him into trouble over the past 10 years, whether it’s almost getting killed in Costa Rica or pissing off Sean Penn in Hollywood. Lucky you, both are big parts of Weisbecker’s newest book, Can’t You Get Along With Anyone?: A Writer’s Memoir and Tale of a Lost Surfer’s Paradise. Fans of previous works like Cosmic Banditos and the highly acclaimed surf adventure In Search of Captain Zero will find even more wild tales and trademark wit. In fact, it’s already scoring five-star reviews on Amazon.com. But the words better hold you over for a while, as AC turns his efforts to new projects like running his own publishing company – Bandito Books – and filling its corresponding monthly “e-zine.” Just don’t expect any movie deals anytime soon.
SURFINGTHEMAG.COM: How’s New York treating you?
ALLAN WEISBECKER: I’m fine. We’ve had some little waves. Nothing epic, but fun. Mostly I’m trying to get my books sold since we just printed in the States. I’m also a publisher now so I really gotta get this thing to fly – but you read the book and you’ll know how my life’s been going the past few years.
Guess that’s what a memoir’s all about. Can you give us a few details?
Well, it all goes down between 1997 and 2005. The book really begins the day after the end of Captain Zero when I left my old friend and drove 24 hours to arrive at Pavones. It’s partially about the loss of my place at Pavones. That’ll be the most interesting surfing aspect -- the loss of paradise. It’s an old story, but what happened to me is pretty unique. So it’s that and what happened to my two movie deals, but it has a bunch of subplots, including a double murder and a betrayal by a sociopath and a bunch of other people.
How does it compare to Captain Zero and Cosmic Banditos?
It takes Zero and exponentializes the memoir aspect of that. It’s much more intense. Because I went from feeling like I’d found my paradise and ended up in a living hell. But it’s actually a pretty funny book because when things go sour like that, it can be pretty relentless. Comedy always involves a certain amount of pain and suffering.
Sounds like the Hollywood part wasn’t easy either. Did Sean Penn really threaten to kill you?
He wished me “something that resembled death” in an email. But you’ll have to read about that in the book. Sorry, I’m not trying to be coy, but this all told so much better in the story. It’s all really funny, actually.
But was it funny at the time?
Yes. It actually was. [laughs] But then having murderous thoughts can be amusing.
For more on CYGAWA, Bandito Books, and Weisbecker’s high-tech interactive E-zine, go to BanditoBooks.com
Meet Allan Weisbecker this Thursday, October 18th in Brooklyn, NY for a signing of his new book - with all proceeds to benefit the Surfrider Foundation. Find out more at Surfrider.org/nyc/events.html