Tamara Saviano
Name: Tamara Saviano
Book Title: Without Getting Killed or Caught: The Life and Music of Guy Clark
Your book’s Amazon purchase link:
https://www.amazon.com/Without-Getting-Killed-Caught-sponsored/dp/1623494540/
What is your book about?My book is a biography of legendary songwriter Guy Clark, who has served as a model, mentor, supporter and friend to two generations of the world’s most talented and influential singer-songwriters. It also explores the fascinating relationship between Guy, his wife Susanna, and their best friend Townes Van Zandt.
What inspired you to write your book?
In my long relationship with Guy, I came to know what a priceless national treasure he is and it was important to me that the rest of the world know it, too.
Can you describe your writing process?
I spent four years researching the book before I ever put pen to paper. Once I started writing, my days went something like this: Wake up and go for a 5-mile walk and think about what I wanted to accomplish in the day’s writing. Shower, eat breakfast, sit at my desk or at a café with a notebook and many pens for five hours and write. I tried not to beat myself up about what I wrote, and I always write in long-hand first so my editing brain doesn’t get in the way. At first it was bullet points and broad strokes, but my drafts became more and more detailed as time went on. I probably wrote 20-30 drafts of each chapter.
How did you come to do what you’re doing today?
I’ve been working in the music business for more than 25 years. It began when an internship during journalism school lead me to a radio station job. From there I worked at a record label, as a magazine editor, television producer, and finally opened my own PR and marketing business 15 years ago.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
Writing, answering emails, talking on the phone with media, coordinating events, logistics.
What do you most enjoy about what you do?
I love the people I work with and the music community that surrounds me.
Are there any people and/or books that have inspired you along your journey?
Many. Music biographers Alanna Nash, Peter Guralnick, Joe Nick Patoski, and Dave Marsh were all instrumental in cheering me on and inspiring me to write and finish my book. I’ve also been inspired by Guy Clark’s songwriter and artist friends Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Jim McGuire, Emmylou Harris, Verlon Thompson, Shawn Camp, Terry Allen, Joe Ely, Lyle Lovett, Vince Gill, and many others.
Can you share something that people may be surprised to learn about you?
I get in bed at 8 or 9 p.m. every night and binge-watch television and Netflix series.
What’s next for you?
I hope to find the right partners to adapt my book into film and/or a stage play. Guy’s story is compelling, beautiful, heart-wrenching, and timeless.
