Armistead Maupin started writing Tales of the City in the San Francisco Chronicle, flying by the seat of his pants, "pumping out 800 words a day, five days a week, in keeping with the needs of the gentlemen in the front office". Nine novels and 38 years later, with what he claims will be the last instalment just published, he came to talk to the Guardian book club.
Maupin says that he first started writing serials in his head when he was eight years old, as a way of getting himself to sleep. He tells how he has moved away from San Francisco and explains why he wants to leave writing behind and pursue a new career, as a standup comedian.
Reading list
Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin (Black Swan)
