Writing went from being a calling to being a job. Business ruined things. It became like making sausages in a sausage factory.

In the end, I'm really interested in people and what we do with our short time here on earth. I'm interested in the human soul.

Borders are liminal spaces. Anyone worthy of the title of 'writer' is a border writer. We all are border people.

A great Chicano forebear of mine in writing is Rolando Hinojosa-Smith. He was writing good border mysteries for Chicano readers back in the '80s and '90s.

To be honest with you, the dramatic side is more fun to play because I don't get to do it as often as I get to do the comedy stuff. Most of my work in this business has been comedy, and that's sort of the way the cookie crumbles. I had not sought out to just be a comedic actor, but I think that's my default because I come from a funny family.

Meta-comedy is everywhere and always seems so cold and to me is really kinda snarky.

I was 10th of 11 kids in an alcoholic, abusive, poor family. We all want things that we can't have. And I found comedy.

As soon as I heard the term 'comedy nerd,' I'd hoped there was a lot of them.