I spent 13 years producing a popular spoken word series in Los Angeles where I had the opportunity to meet an incredible array of storytellers. This month I'm introducing one of them to you—Annie Korzen—who at the seasoned age of 83 has become a TikTok sensation. She shares her candid thoughts on life and variety of taboo topics in her new book The Book of Annie.

ANNIE KORZEN is a colorful actress with a decades-long career in TV, film, and theater—including a recurring role on Seinfeld and a center-stage spot touring with The Moth. In The Book of Annie, she offers her trademark unabashed takes on both everyday and typically taboo topics. These wildly funny musings from an eighty-three-year-old TikTok sensation will have you laughing out loud.

KARIN GUTMAN:  You call yourself a humorist. What does that word mean to you?

ANNIE KORZEN: A humorist uses comedy not just to get laughs, but also to explore serious—sometimes emotional— issues.

KARIN: What guidance do you have for those who want to cultivate more funny in their writing?

ANNIE: Honesty is the key to any humorous writing.  And the target of your humor should be YOU.  Your ridiculous personal problems are very likely shared by many others, and you are offering them some relief when you expose your own vulnerability. One of my most successful stories is about the darkest period of my life: my postpartum depression. It's a laugh riot!

KARIN: How did you as a TikTok sensation come about? And why do you think you’ve struck a chord?

ANNIE: I was looking for a larger audience, and a young friend suggested TikTok. I told her she was nuts, but decided to give it a try.  Saying "Yeah, why not?" is one of the themes of my book, and this is one time that my mantra really paid off.

When my (mostly young) fans stop me on the street they often tell me that they find me funny, honest, and inspiring. This is very gratifying, since I have always been criticized for being too opinionated and talkative.

KARIN: You seem to embody a real freedom to be yourself. Where does that come from? And how can we all have more of that?

ANNIE: I think part of the "wisdom of age" is learning to be comfortable in your own skin. I no longer feel the need to please everyone, and I have developed the confidence that my thoughts are worth sharing.

KARIN: As you look back on your life, what—if anything—has held you back?

ANNIE: I've wasted too much time trying to fit in, instead of celebrating my own “differentness.”

KARIN: What inspired you to write this book and what kind of experience do you hope to give your readers?

ANNIE: First and foremost, I need the money. Plus I love attention. And I sincerely believe that the laughs and tears in my book just might make the world a better place. Everyone on the planet should read it, and then name me Ruler of The Earth.

KARIN: You’ve toured with The Moth. What do you think creates a successful story? Can you share about your process of writing a Moth story? Where do you begin?

ANNIE: A story should be about a dramatic event that changed your life for the better. It should end with you suddenly understanding the meaning of the journey you've just been on, and how this adventure has caused you to grow as a humanoid. At The Moth, you have a director/editor who gives copious notes after each draft, and I'm always amazed at the insights that they offer that I have totally missed.

KARIN: What do you think the key is to leading a successful life?

ANNIE: A comfortable home, satisfying work, loving friends and family, and spaghetti. Lots of spaghetti.

KARIN: I find it hard not to mention the recent world events that are unfolding in Israel. How do you maintain your lighthearted spirit in the face of what’s happening?

ANNIE: For one thing, I'm not sure I do have a lighthearted spirit. I think a lot of comedy comes from people who have tendencies to anxiety and depression, and expressing one's pain through humor is a form of self-medication. I have no words for these horrors that we are witnessing, except to ask if it would be the same if women were in charge. You can probably guess my answer to that one.

Buy the book

To learn more about Annie Korzen, visit her site.

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