Q&A with composer Brian Gari, author of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to My Stress Test
1. Your first book had a title based on a play’s title. This book is also based on a play’s title. Can you say which one?
BG: Sure. A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. I wanted to give it a humorous slant given the fairly serious subject matter.
2. Did you give the book to any medical professionals when it got published?
BG: Yes. I actually dropped it off to Dr. Oz but never received a response. I also gave copies to my wonderful doctors.
3. Were you surprised when you were suddenly faced with this serious prognosis and immediate transfer to the operating room?
BG: It actually happened so fast I didn’t have time to fully absorb what was happening to me!
4. Did you write the book for yourself or for others?
BG: Probably for both. I write candidly about my feelings in both my songwriting and as an author. I felt if I could be supportive to others with this book, then that would please me greatly.
5. Did you start writing the story immediately?
BG: Yes because as frightened as I probably was, I was also finding some of the experience rather funny.
6. Did anyone encourage you to write the book?
BG: Yes, my wife who helped me every step of the way (and even wrote one chapter when i was under anesthesia.)
7. The cover is very unique. What made you choose the photograph?
BG: Well, i had this photo from when I was two contributing to the Heart Fund that was being supported by my grandfather, Eddie Cantor. The irony struck me that it probably was my grandfather who indirectly helped save my life decades later.
8. Do you think the front cover helped sell the book?
BG: I thought it was a very smart idea to attract attention for a book about my personal experience.
9. It’s not a very long book. Does that bother you?
BG: Not really. Why pad the story with superfluous chapters that wouldn’t add that much more to the story other than extra pages.
10. Being your second book, did you think you still had ideas to explore for more publications?
BG: My wife encouraged me again to work on my experiences meeting famous people. I liked the concept and I was on my way to a third book!