D'yan Forest
Author Interview - D'yan Forest
Author of I Did It My Ways
D’yan Forest has always done things her way – or her ways, because she’s lived a dozen different lives. She’s been a desperate Boston housewife, a New York night-club singer and a Paris swinger. She’s been the only Jewish girl in a Christian choir and the female pianist in a 1960’s drag club. At 86, D’yan is still a working stand-up comedian and musician, but she’s much, much more than that, as this hilarious but heartfelt memoir reveals. Written by D’yan Forest with Stephen Clarke, bestselling British author of A Year in the Merde, and co-writer of D’yan’s latest stage show, Swingin’ on the Seine.
Author Interview - D'yan Forest
Author I draw inspiration from: I love all types of books, particularly autobiographies. I recently read Joan Rivers and Dolly Parton's books. I love their outlook on life and humor.
Author Interview - D'yan Forest | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book: On the roof of my building in Greenwich Village.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: Amelia Earhart. She's a real person who inspired me to think and believe I could accomplish whatever I wanted to do. I remember reading her book when I was a young girl.
Author Interview - D'yan Forest | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: Before the pandemic hit, I had always wanted to write my memoir about my adventures in Paris, but I never had the time. When the pandemic hit all of a sudden, I had lots of time. So, after playing golf in the frigid wintertime, I came home to my warm home and banged away on the computer. I wrote about things I had never dared to write. I kept saying to myself "What have I got to lose? At this age and at this point who cares. I didn't care who I would offend." Writing helped keep me sane and gave me a purpose and a creative outlet during Covid.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook: Hardback.
The last book I read: I'm currently reading Aftermath: Life in the Fallout of the Third Reich, 1945-1955 by Harald Jähner. It’s not an uplifting book but it’s a fascinating read.
Author Interview - D'yan Forest | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer: Computer.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with: She's not a character but I love her books. I think I could be best friends with Shirley MacLaine.
Author Interview - D'yan Forest | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a: A stand-up comic. Oh wait! I already am. I wanted to be a lawyer when I was younger. My Dad was a lawyer, but my parents wouldn't let me go to law school in my era.
Favorite decade in fashion history: 1960's in Paris. Very fashionable and sheik.
Place I’d most like to travel: Ethiopia was on my bucket list, and I was lucky enough to go there before the pandemic. I loved Vietnam and will go back when I can.
My signature drink: Cognac. I started to drink Cognac when I went to Paris in the 1960's. When I would go to clubs, they would charge the same price for ginger ale and Cognac. I could drink a ginger ale in a few minutes, but Cognac I had to sip. It turned out to be an economical decision.
Favorite artist: Renoir.
Number one on my bucket list: When the pandemic is over I'm going to go out and find a new lover.
Find more from the author:
https://www.instagram.com/dyanforestwriter/
https://www.facebook.com/IDidItMyWays
https://twitter.com/dyanforest
Author Bio: D’yan is stand-up comedian, singer, cabaret artist, author, and avid golfer. She has performed professionally since the 1960’s with regular performances in Paris and New York. D’yan has performed her cabaret and solo-shows, I Married a Nun, Swinging on the Seine, A Broad Abroad, among others, all over the world with notable performances in New York City, Orlando, San Diego, Phoenix, Greece, Israel, Paris, and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Forest started performing stand-up in her 60’s (after 9/11) because she wanted to bring more laughter to the world. She performs (with her ukulele) regularly in Paris and at The Gotham Comedy Club in NYC.Her writing has been featured on Huffington Post, Gay Star News and Frenchly US. D’yan lives by the motto “love has no age.”
