Wooten stepped up to tell us more.

What do you mean by autobiofiction?
So many people have asked me if ‘I am Curtis’ the lead character in my novels and my honest response is my work, all my work, is autobiofictional. There's a little bit of Curtis in me - there would have to be. The type of writing that really touches a reader or makes them laugh is honest writing and that honesty has to come from within. That being said, I'm also just as much Curtis' mother Mrs. J., Quinn, his best friend - all of the characters, including Emily-Mae the dog!

Some of the dates Curtis goes on are bits and pieces of experiences I've had - blended with friend's stories. But so much of both On Picking Fruit and Fruit Cocktail is just pure fiction.

Why is Curtis an older protagonist?
It's very rare to read a novel with a gay protagonist, one who is 40 or older. It's a voice I wanted people to hear. Many of the books centre around teenage angst or confused people struggling with their sexuality. There are thousands of us gays out there that are perfectly happy being out and out for years and we have stories to tell. Also, writing for an older character gave me a much richer canvas to draw upon.

Can you tell us a secret about the next book in the series?
The big secret is that there won't be one - at least not with my current publisher. I wish them well but I'm on to bigger and better things. The writers strike in Hollywood should be over soon and prior to the shutdown a premium cable network approached me about On Picking Fruit and Fruit Cocktail being a TV series. Since then directors, producers and other networks have been scratching at my door. So the next incarnation will be On Picking Fruit the TV series.

I'm actually taking a meeting this month brainstorming about ideas for new programming and I just completed a screenplay based upon an award winning play I wrote - Birthday Pie. It's a busy time.

Who are the writers you admire the most?
Although I'm known for my comedy - playwrights who have inspired me are Eugene O'Neill and Tennessee Williams. More contemporary, Beth Henley. They all taught me that comedy is not only based upon truth, but to make it transcend time and location it must be written and acted as seriously a possible. Most people in life, hence most characters in plays, novels, TV or screenplays are at their funniest when the are put into an hysterical situation but take it totally seriously. You'll see that concept played out beautiful in any I Love Lucy rerun.

What advice do you have for others thinking about self-publishing?
Go for it! In 2005 I internet / self-published On Picking Fruit. Within a few months Alyson Books discovered it on their own and offered me the multiple book deal. And now Hollywood. If you have a dream, own it. If my dream can come true, so can yours.

"There are thousands of us gays out there that are perfectly happy being out and out for years and we have stories to tell."

You seem to have lived many lives, not only are you an author but you're also a trained Shiatsu practitioner, and you've been an actor. What's next for you?
With all the interest in On Picking Fruitand Fruit Cocktail being a TV series, I'm staying on board as producer/writer. This is my baby. But doing press for Fruit Cocktail, I've had a taste of radio - even chiming in on BBC Radio with my good friend Clayton Littlewood, the Soho Blogger and David Benson the actor. I'm threatening friends now that I want to do more radio.

I've also just joined reFRESH Magazine based in London. Each issue I'll be writing a humorous and irreverent advice column about love, sex and dating written in a ‘Dear John’ format. They're terribly funny and the first one debuted in the February issue.

What else would you like to say?
So many talented people who want to be where I'm at in my career ask me what should / can I do to make it happen. I believe in The Four Ps. First you need a good Product - whether it's a novel, play, screenplay, or whatever - maybe it's the next best vacuum cleaner. And then you must have Passion. You're going to have to work hard and think outside of the box and be Persistent. But even more importantly, be Professional. And learn to be lucky. We all know that in order to be struck by lightening you must stand out in the rain. But you must be willing to stand out in the rain longer than anyone else. My good fortunate didn't happen over nightb. I've been poured on and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Find out more at onpickingfruit.com and www.myspace.com/arthurwooten and read our review of Fruit Cocktail.

Fruit Cocktail, by Arthur Wooten
Published by: Alyson Books
Released: 1 March 2008
ISBN: 1593500475

Looking for madcap adventures? Get Fruit Cocktail by Arthur Wooten. Buy the book online and save money to out towards the first book, On Picking Fruit.