Justin Halpern is the man behind the Twitter feed @ShitMyDadSays. This Twitter feed was not only turned into a very successful book but also a television series starring William Shatner. “I Suck at Girls” is the second book from Justin Halpern. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Justin about this new book and of course what are his father’s thoughts about it.
Mike Gencarelli: What was the biggest pressure with the follow up to “Shit My Dad Says”?
Justin Halpern: I just wanted to write a book that was as entertaining as the first and that people liked just as much. There is a lot of pressure in that since you want the people who liked the first book to like the latest one as well. I wanted to write something that was self organic and that people would like.
MG: What did you enjoy most about the writing process of “I Suck at Girls”?
JH: I think being able to stretch out a little bit more. The first book I wanted to be very brief similar to the Twitter feed. I didn’t want people to have to read 500 pages. I felt I could spend a little more time developing the stories with the second book.
MG: Tell us about your inspiration behind this book?
JH: Before I proposed to my wife I had told my dad about what I was going to do and he told me to take a day and think about what I was doing and, to also think about my past relationships. When I was doing that I realized I had some funny stories that I think everyone probably goes through. I thought it would make a good book.
MG: What are your father’s thoughts on the new book?
JH: He really likes it. He originally told me he hated it. (Laughs) He said that this second book needed to be better than the first or else people were going to shit all over it. I told him people will have a tough time shitting on this book.
MG: What are your thoughts on the television rights to “I Suck at Girls” being sold already?
JH: I just need to be more careful this time. Things with this are still quite a long ways off. I am excited even though the first one didn’t work out so well. Hopefully with this one we can do things right.
MG: What do you think caused the “$#*! My Dad Says” to not last on television?
JH: CBS has some of the highest rated shows and I don’t think the show was doing all that well. You have to be a big hit to stay on the air there.
MG: Have you thought about writing a direct follow up to “Shit My Dad Says”?
JH: The current book has a lot of my dad in it so I consider it the follow up to the first book. This new book just has a lot more in it.
MG:So on a side note, I’ve always wondered why do you only follow LeVare Burton on Twitter?
JH: When I first signed up for Twitter they gave you 20 default people to follow. I was un-following all of them until I got to LeVare. I thought it would be funny if I only followed him.
MG: Are you a big “Star Trek” fan?
JH: No not necessarily. I did use to like “Reading Rainbow” though. (Laughs)
MG: What other things do you have coming up?
JH: I am out promoting the book right now and that is about it. Things are going really well.
