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Ethan Hawke: You ask the questions

(Such as: so at what point when you're making a movie do you think 'this is going straight to video'? And how good are you at spending your money?)

Thursday 05 September 2002 00:00 BST
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Ethan Hawke was born in 1970 in Austin, Texas. At 14, he made his first film appearance in the science-fiction movie Explorers alongside River Phoenix. After studying acting at the Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, he was offered the role of Todd in Dead Poets Society in 1988. His other film credits include Reality Bites, Hamlet, Gattaca and most recently Tape. This year, he was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in Training Day. His first book, The Hottest State, was published in 1995. He lives in New York and LA with his wife, Uma Thurman, and their two young children.

Apparently it's taken you five years to write your new novel Ash Wednesday. Do you get writer's block? Do you sometimes tear everything up and start again?
Joe Sutcliffe, Bournemouth

Yes, I get writer's block. And I tear up what I'm writing and start again all the time – that's really depressing. It kind of kills you because often you're writing something and you're thinking – am I going to throw this away? In Ash Wednesday, Christy's first chapter was very different the first time I wrote it. It was one of my favourite things that I ever wrote. But her character would've been too hard to maintain through the rest of the novel.

At what point when you are making a film do you think "this is going straight to video"?
Jacqui Francis, Birmingham

About every other day. But a lot of times your opinion of a film is really determined by the people you're working with. If I'm having a really good time, I'll think the work must be good. But it's not always true. We had a terrible time making Hamlet. The shoot was too intense. We all fought like cats and dogs. And I love the movie.

How good are you at spending your money?
Sarah Parker, by e-mail

I am a real frugal son of a bitch. I never spend any money on anything except putting on plays or short films. My wife is terrible about spending money – that woman can burn through cash. But most of it's her own, so I don't mind about that.

Do you seize the day – as your character did in Dead Poets Society?
Andy Butler, Harwich

You know, sometimes when people ask me why I write books and do my own films, I think I took on the message of that film too strongly. 'Gather ye rosebuds while ye may' – It's a great thing to remember. There's no time like now to do what you want to do.

Is it true you've just bought an island? That's a bit flash. Is it for holidays or will you be writing your novels there?
Pauline Marco, Sutton

Well it sounds more grandiose than it is. It's a tiny little island in Nova Scotia, just a few acres. It's just got a little ramshackle building on it at the moment. It's very romantic. It's kind of a dream of mine to be able to put a little house on it and have it as a retreat place for other artists.

Does your ability as a storyteller and actor make it easier for you to keep your children entertained?
Will Vidler, by e-mail

I don't know. My children are just as bored of me as other kids are of their parents. My daughter's now four and I really encourage her to make up her own stories. And one of my favourite things to do in the world is watercolours with my kids. So I'm a terribly art-friendly father.

How much attention do you pay to the criticism of your books and films?
Simone Ford, London

I don't think public criticism is often helpful. Although, sometimes you'll read a really positive review and it'll inspire you because you feel like somebody's noticing what you're doing. Ultimately my theory on this – although it's hard to apply – is that you have to give your work away. You do your best and then you give it away and people will make of it what they will. Yes, it bothers me when I read a review of my book that talks about my wife. But then I realise that the book will probably get more attention than it probably deserves from the fact that I'm well-known in another field. I can't take the good without taking the bad.

Which authors do you most admire?
Yusef Sayed, Lincoln

I admire Allen Ginsberg. Not so much because I love his writing but I love how he evolved through the course of his life. To be gay in the Fifties, that's really to be an outlaw. The way he fought for beat to be taken seriously. He was such a rebel.

What do you enjoy about being famous?
Nikki Behrman, by e-mail

Getting tickets to shows. If I really want to see a play or a basketball game I can usually get tickets. That's a really good perk.

You've tried to leave the acting profession a few times – to go to university and write your first novel – what tempted you back? What would make you give it up again?
Tom Bennett, Salford

You know that's true. I really did try and leave the acting profession and it's got a stronger bug in me than I anticipated. I was always worried as a younger person about getting too much attention for what I deemed a frivolous profession. But it's not frivolous, it's just overly celebrated. Acting can be, at its best, a real healing elixir for society.But, as a profession, it really wears on the self-esteem. The gypsy life-style is really hard. So I have tried to leave but ultimately there's an addictive heat to the attention you get when you act. When you've been in the spotlight for a second, the heat is so intense that when the spotlight moves away from you it makes a temperate climate seem ice-cold. The thing that would make me give it up is my kids.

Will you be turning Ash Wednesday – or your first novel, The Hottest State – into a film?
Juliet Desmond, Hull

I might some day. Sometimes I love thinking about it. I'll hear a song on the radio and I'll think, 'That's perfect.' I think I'd want control of the film if I did. If someone really great wanted to direct it, then I suppose I'd let them, but I'm so opinionated about it that I can't imagine being able to let go enough.

Do you secretly enjoy it when one of your projects does badly because it means you can feel like a struggling misunderstood artist?
Elizabeth Perkins, Truro

Yes! I do. Everybody loves to be the underdog. When we made Hamlet, everybody hated it so much we didn't know if it was going to get released and then when it succeeded, it felt so good. Although, of course, I don't want the new book to do badly.

What's your favourite film performance by your wife, Uma Thurman?
Roger Chapman, London

I might have to say Henry & June because she was incredible. I'm biased, I love everything she does. But she's also really good in Batman & Robin. Terrible movie, but she's phenomenal.

What's your next project?
Cat Thompson, Manchester

I have no idea. I'm going to have an anxiety attack and figure out what to do next.

'Ash Wednesday' is published today by Bloomsbury, £14.99

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