Nerd Do Well: Eight Questions with Simon Pegg

Simon Pegg is a man of many faces. He’s famous for his acting skills in Spaced and Star Trek. He is a screenwriter and a comedian. Despite his success and fame, he will always be a nerd. And he is proud of this! Simon Pegg is currently on a book tour in the US to promote his memoir Nerd Do Well: A Small Boy’s Journey To Becoming A Big Kid. The star of Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Paul talks to Nerd Caliber about his book and shares some of his nerd philosophy.

What was the motivation behind writing your memoir, “Nerd Do Well?”
I wanted to write a fiction and publishing company suggested a memoir. I wasn’t mad keen on the idea so I wrote a memoir and slipped the fiction in between the cracks. By the time it was printed it was too late. They had no choice but to publish. Everyone won.

Would you say there are differences between American nerds and British nerds? What are those differences?
All nerds are the same. It’s a hugely democratising subculture. Fan people are a hive mind, like The Borg or Republicans.

For those that are socially awkward, what kinds of advice would your book be able to give them? Is it possible for nerds searching for love to find their own Princess Leia or Han Solo?
I think that’s what science fiction offers nerds generally, particularly Star Trek which is at the top of the list as far as geeky franchises go. It offers a world where everyone is accepted even if you have tentacles or bad skin.

What topics or stories in your book did you find the easiest to share? And what were the hardest to write?
It was easier to write the fiction part than the truth because I didn’t have to plunder my memory so much. Weirdly though, the closer I came to the present the more difficult it got. The past is infinitely more romantic than the present. The past is nostalgia; the present is just rolling news.

Do you have any special tips for other nerds who are trying to do well by playing to their nerd strengths?
Keep your feet on the ground but keep reaching for the stars. Casey Casem taught me that. Although he wasn’t a nerd.

What books do you like to read? What are you currently reading and what was the last book to blow your mind away?
I like to read a wide variation of stuff. I enjoy fiction but will gladly pick up a biography or theory book. The last book I really enjoyed was The Peculiar Memories of Thomas Penman by Bruce Robinson. It’s a marvellous work which I would recommend to anyone who enjoys artful writing. Robinson is a master of descriptive prose.

Many Star Wars fans are divided about their love or hate for the Star Wars Prequels. Since you are a fan of Star Wars, what are your thoughts on it? If George Lucas were to give you the keys to his kingdom, what changes would you implement?
All the answers to that question are in the book.

Do you have any other writing projects you are currently working on?
I’m about to start writing the third part of our Cornetto trilogy which will complete the cycle we started with Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. I also plan to write another film with Nick Frost, having had such fun with Paul.
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You can purchase Simon Pegg’s book Nerd Do Well here.