Make money doing the work you believe in
So sad to hear about the death of Marjane Satrapi, author of the Persepolis books, absolute fucking icon. I had a bit about meeting her in 2006 in my memoir that got cut for whatever reason but I’m resurrecting it here. Because that afternoon I spent with her was actually so influential on me in terms of how to carry yourself in the world. I recommend her work. I recommend her everything. May her memory be a blessing.
“I had one freelance assignment when I was in Paris. An interview with Marjane Satrapi, who had recently stormed the publishing world with her Persepolis graphic novels, which later became animated films. Embraced for their unique insight into a complex world, her graphic novels were held up as a symbol of optimism for Iranians, for women, and for comic-book artists. She lived in the Marais district, just steps from the Musée Picasso. She chain-smoked Winstons, and mooned about Cassavetes films. ‘The older people, they have something to think about and talk about,’ she said. ‘They are 10 times more interesting than these 20-year-old people.’ She told me how Gena Rowlands had the same voice as her grandmother. She talked about Art Spiegelman at length, how Maus was the first book that taught her she could use the media to talk about exactly whatever she felt. ‘I never wanted to become a political writer,’ she said. ‘The fact is, it’s not so much I am interested in the politics as the politics are interested in me.’ She was dark-haired and glamorous, witty and sharp. She was only two years older than me and had already accomplished so much. Behind her a housekeeper finished tending to her kitchen. ‘I didn’t want to be the representative of anyone,’ she said. ‘I just wanted to drink my coffee and smoke my cigarettes and make my books.’ When I left, high on caffeine and nicotine, I walked dizzily through the streets of Paris, back to my friend’s home. At last, I had met someone who I wanted to be when I grew up.”
