Armistead Maupin Q&A

The hugely succesful author discusses the big screen adaptation of his novel 'The Night Listener'.

Sep 18 2006

Five years after 'Tales of the City' disappeared from TV, Armistead Maupin is back, this time on the big-screen. His novel, 'The Night Listener', was based on his own JT LeRoy moment: in the early ’90s, he was sent a disturbing 'autobiographical' manuscript by a teenager called Anthony Godby Johnson, who turned out to be a fake. Much the same happens to Maupin's alter ego in the film adaptation, a late-night radio host called Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams), whose boyfriend has just moved out and who becomes intrigued with the voice at the end of his phone. Maupin has called the film a 'thriller of the heart'.

You've been writing for 30 years: stories, novels, TV scripts. Was writing a film any different?

I wish someone had told me in college that you could have a career in the movies without having to be an actor! But no, I've never read a book on how to write a screenplay. I've never read a book on how to write a novel. And I've never read a book on how to be gay. I just felt my way through them all, so to speak. All writing is tedious: I compare it to laying mosaics.

You co-wrote the screenplay for 'The Night Listener' with your ex-partner, Terry Anderson. Was that difficult?

I'm not a control freak: I'm happy in a collaborative situation. And I'm pretty kind to my friends, too, aren't I? I even invited my ex to join me in writing the screenplay! But the story is about Gabriel and his search for the boy. I threw in the break-up with Terry to make it a little more interesting.

Obviously all writers draw from their own experience, but this seems more than usually autobiographical.

Well, I'm not entirely Gabriel. I didn't respond to the mystery in the way he does, by going to look for the boy. Gabriel acts out things in a way in which I never did. But it's like all writing: you have to let it go and pray that it takes on a life of its own. I don't think I’ll ever be this autobiographical ever again. Really, I want to be Wilkie Collins. Make 'em laugh, make 'em cry, make 'em want more!

There's a scene in the film when a flight attendant thanks Gabriel for all he has done for 'us' (meaning gay people). Does that kind of thing happen to you?

People do come up and hug me because they say they feel they know me, which I find pretty incredible.

Tell me a bit about the fake manuscript you received yourself.

Well, I should say there are people who still believe Anthony Godby Johnson existed. These include my agent and my editor. But anyone who has been through something like that is drained by it, wrenched by it.

Tell me about the casting of Robin Williams.

I've known Robin for about 30 years, and I approached him to do the film. My ex, Terry, took the script by his office and he called and said he wanted to do it, which I guess is pretty unusual. What I especially like about Robin in the film is that he looks like a guy who loves too much!

And you?

I have a new partner, Christopher Roma, and things are good. If I'd known life could be this good at 61, I would have been a lot more cheerful earlier on!

'The Night Listener' opens on Friday.

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