William Burroughs: Interview 1985 - 1/4

In this 1985 interview with Don Swaim, William Burroughs, who at times wrote under the name William Lee, discusses publishing his manuscript of Queer, which followed Junkie, his first novel about his own experiences as a drug addict. Burroughs also talks about his drug addiction claiming it is easier to get through life with "junk" but it's very inhibiting to creativity.

Although he has been sober from his drug addiction since 1957, as expressed in the previous interview, Burroughs admits he will from time to time use a bit of cannabis to get some inspiration for his writing.

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[davidmartinrain]

Thanks for this post. So many people don't know what a treasure this man was.

[BettyBoopLover333]

@unclealand b was kewel. but a scientologist he was not. in fact, he exposed scientology for the cult of fakery that it is

[BettyBoopLover333]

being a decades-long narcotics addict myself, i've admired burroughs, poe, and others who were addict-writers for many years. it is a fact that drugs open the mind, relax inhibitions, and enable the writer to externalize thoughts that he would have kept inside. of course, to be an addict, one must sacrifice much personal freedom, but it is worth it- to be able to write honestly

[werobanks]

junkie was actually quite interesting. liked it much more than naked lunch. written somewhat like a n older detective novel, fact and detachment from his own junkie ways.

[DylanSketchBook]

Both interviews by this guy are fairly crap as he seems to know nothing about Burroughs or his work

[sweatersnug]

he was so awesome!!

[unclealand]

He was so kewel, he was a junkie and a Scientologist. Oooooooo