4TheRcrd Mag.

I have been a pretty faithful reader over the course of my life, and though I’m not up to speed on the hottest new writers, nor am i an avid member of Oprah’s book club, it’s true that i am never without at least one decent novel to keep me company when nobody else will. I tend to be a fan of icky, uncomfortable and button-pushing entertainment that both reminds me of how comfortably stable and lucky i feel as well as giving me a good hard look at the world outside these bodily confines. I love reality, and reality loves me.Meet Chris Walter, a local writer and weaver of tales grown from the cold dark and ugly side of life. A man who’s life experience interweaves with a storytelling authority featuring a revolving cast of characters who many of us seemingly “normal” folk would probably cross the street in order to avoid. A collection of people who, though different in character, share a certain overlap in their struggles to survive this world unscathed. Chris has a certain love affair with these junkies, prostitutes, thieves, punks, gang-bangers and freaks that causes the reader to look beyond outer appearances and into the troubled soul of the human beneath, and you realize that once you get to know them, that they too are just humans trying to keep living in a world that despises them.I shot Chris a few questions, and he shot back some answers. He may not say much, but he doesn’t really have to. The proof is in the puddin’ and ultimately, right in your back yard. So do yourself and Mr. Walter a favour. Buy his books. Fall in love with a drug addict or two, i dare ya. It might just change your life.
What compelled you to pick up that pen/pencil/crayon and start writing your first book, “Beer”?

Death. I thought the drugs were going to kill me, so i wanted to have something to show for my wasted life. Then i ruined it all by cleaning up.(7 years sober this year!)
Where do you find your inspiration, and how does it relate to your experience?

Junkies, punks, drunks, and whores inspire me. I am endlessly fascinated by them.
You once said to me that you weren’t so into being called a “writer”. If not a writer then what?

I said what? I must have been on drugs.

Where can the people find your books?

In Vancouver? Magpie Magazines, Co-op Books, Bone Rattle Music, Red Cat Records, Puff (1632 Main St. & 2555 East Hastings), Scratch Records, Cherry Bomb, New World Designs, Mcloed Books, Zulu Records, Duthies Books, Spartacus Books, UBC Bookstore. Not to mention garbage cans and birdcages everywhere.(You can also visit Chris and buy all of his books at his myspace page as well as his webpage)

What’s newly released at GFY Press and what’s coming up

The Crooked Beat by Drew Gates came out in November. Drew’s story of a punk junkie in Southeast Asia is a masterpiece of black humour. Rock & Roll Heart will be launched at the Cobalt Hotel on Feb 29th with music from The Rebel Spell pluss guests. My biography of Winnipeg rock legends Personality Crisis will be out in August 2008.

I’m sure that your writing has reached a greater audience over the last couple of years as your name and what you do has become more far reaching than the punk rock/disaffected youth set. I mean, I’ve even turned my MOM on to your writing! Is the feedback you get generally positive? Have you heard of totally unsuspecting people really getting into your books, like cops, suits, and my mom?

Sure, but many of them probably hate my stuff as well. Im hoping that schools and libraries will burn my books in big heaps. I could use the publicity.

IMAGE CREDIT.