Allie: Pre-parenthood, you were already a well-published writer with numerous accolades and a notable following. (Of course, you still are!) Did you always know you'd write about your evolving life experience as a parent?

Neal: I had no plan whatsoever to write about being a parent. It went against everything I stood for as a writer. But the experience of parenthood was so overwhelming and all-involving that at a certain point, I had no choice. Not only was I not thinking about anything else, if I had been, it wouldn't have felt interesting or relevant to me. So a parent-memoirist I became.

Allie: In your view, does a familiarity/fluency/comfort with satire ease the segue into parenthood?

Neal: Nothing can ease the segue. It's a cataclysmic lifestyle shock. But having a sense of humor does help you see parenthood with a funny perspective -- sometimes.

Allie: Are there any topics that are simply off-limits when it comes to your public writings about your son and wife? If so, which are taboo, and do you write on them for your in-family consumption and/or catharsis only?

Neal: I don't write about anything unless I'm getting paid for it. [Allie’s note: He was teasing!] Most subjects involving my kid are on-limits. My wife has some interests, habits, hobbies and opinions that she wants kept out of the blogs/books. I sneak some of them in anyway.