About ten years ago, one of my creative writing professors was curious about where I learned to write. I had finally admitted that most of my stories were science fiction, and that most of my reading choices were similar. Unlike my classmates in the MFA program, I had never been a huge fan of "literature." I love a good book, yes, but I don't seem to have the attention span for great books. Getting through them is a real struggle for me — it should be no surprise that I usually earned B's in my college literature courses. For an English major, I wasn't exactly the best reader.
During my MFA in creative writing, my professors and classmates were always very, very surprised when they learned how many books I haven't read. Like the time my thesis advisor — one of the most kind and caring people I've ever met — asked us to go around and mention what we'd been reading over the summer. Fitzgerald was mentioned, as was Bolagno. Several other well known literary figures came up — I was embarrassed to realize that I was the only one who didn't recognize their names.
Now, if I'd been fresh out of college, that would be one thing. In the grad program, one of my classmates was only 19 — he graduated college at 17. He had read of the well-established literary authors than I had. Many more. And as a writer, he had a mastery of place and setting that I later came to envy.
But he was the youngest member of our class — I was one of the oldest. After fours years of college, five years in the army, and half a year of bartending, I had lived enough life to read the books that matter. Except I didn't. Instead I read Carrie. And The Illustrated Man. And Mother Night, The Left Hand of Darkness, Ender's Game (the whole series, including the Ender's Shadow books). And yes, Bradbury and Vonnegut and Le Guin are excellent and respectable authors — but they aren't Joyce. Or Fitzgerald. Or Atwood.
Finally, the summer reading question came to me. Fortunately, I went last. As I told everyone, I'd read another Stephen King novel, some chapters from an online comic, half a chapter from an enormous illustrated history of battleships, and a science fiction novel or two. I did not, however, mention the hours I likely spent reading romance advice columns. Back then, that's what I read. Nowadays we have Reddit.
I saw the faces staring back as I gave my answer. So I tried to soften the blow. "Yeah, my favorite authors tend to be like Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, and Kurt Vonnegut," I admitted sheepishly, somehow thinking this would make my answer more acceptable. "I get a lot of funny looks from everyone when I say that."
Said my professor: "You mean like the look I'm giving you now?"
(Also, did I mention that my professor has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize? No...I did not enjoy getting the "I'm not sure whether to find you tragic or irritating" look from one of the kindest, most impressive writers I have ever known...but then, I guess I had it coming? I mean, I did smuggle myself into grad school as a science fiction writer...)
28 comments:
I feel very thankful that I could read that awesome article. Thanks for sharing. Keep posting.
We also provide yahoo and hotline customer care services in USA & Canada. Feel free to contact us:
Yahoo Helpline Support
Get your custom Bath Bomb Boxes customized to your detail in interesting styles and shape. Printed with vivid plans and infectious shading plans
Cigarette brands need to have an exceptional and educational box bundling so as to showcase various sorts of Custom Cigarette Boxes . The standard of value likewise matters since it is a basic factor to protect the cigarettes inside the parcel.
Wow, What a piece of Awesome writing. I really like and love to read your article. Waitting to reading for next one.
Custom Kraft Boxes
Good blog thanks for sharing the information.
kraft paper bath bomb boxes
luxury cereal packaging
I appreciate your post thanks for the information.
kraft display boxes wholesale
personalize custom jewelry boxes
Surat escorts In the event that you're contributing more imperativeness to discover the basic information concerning how you'll have such sorts of fulfillment with such sorts of Surat escort whom you're feeling tied down and secure at that point you get no chance of getting into constraint people on the off chance that you just proceed to have the benefit offers from the Free surat independent call girls. The staffs who are working more constantly are seen as the colossal satisfying identities and besides amazing.
CONTACT US!
---->> Best service escorts in surat
---->> elite escorts surat
---->> call girls whatsapp number surat
---->> Call girls real pic escorts in Surat
JHARKHAND ESCORTS
Click here: dumka escorts
v giridih escorts
Click here: hazaribagh escorts
Click here: khunti escorts
Click here: lohardaga escorts
Click here: ramgarh cantonment escorts
Great post I like it very much keep up the good work.
bulk Handover Boxes for sale
Lingerie box manufacturers
It is really nice post; I like it very much.
Holiday Party box with window
Hotel Boxes manufacturers near me
Mumbai Escorts ( Sneha Singh )
Ahemdabad Escorts
Amreli Escorts
Anand Escorts
Palanpur Escorts
Bhavnagar Escorts
Botad Escorts
chota-udaipur Escorts
Dahod Escorts
Ahwa Escorts
dwarka Escorts
Gandhinagar Escorts
The customers have numerous options while buying custom presentation boxes wholesale. You can create a difference and take a competitive edge by using custom printing boxes to make your product the most prominent one.
Thanks for sharing this article I read it and really enjoyed it as well. Visit my blog CBD boxes.
nice blog
I always appreciate the quality content, Thanks to you for sharing such a post.
I appreciate you post thanks the information. also find more info Here, i try to build quality blog
Click here
info
Check it out
info
Visit Here
Thanks for sharing
Hey, Thanks for sharing great information. It is nice to read such high-quality content. You are providing wonderful information, it is very useful to us. Keep posting like assignment writing services these informative post.
شركات لنقل العفش ولاثاث والتنظيف والتعقيم بالمدن التالية الرياض وجدة ومكة والدمام تقديم ونقدم لكم افضل شركات نقل العفش بالمملكة العربية السعودية
شركة نقل عفش بالرياض
شركة نقل عفش بالاحساء
شركة نقل عفش بجدة
شركة نقل عفش بمكة
شركة تنظيف بجدة
شركة تنظيف بالدمام
شركة نقل عفش بالرياض
شركة تنظيف بالاحساء
شركة نقل عفش بالدمام
شركة تنظيف بمكة
Thank you so much for sharing all this wonderful information. It is so appreciated. So much helpful and easy to read. Keep posting
Visit my blog: Why the Custom Rigid Boxes Worth the Money
This post is very informative on this topic. I just tripped upon your blog and wanted to say that Dissertation Writing Services uk I have really enjoyed reading your blog. Thanks for sharing.
This blog is very informative. Thanks for sharing such important and useful information. Keep it up.
Visit here:5 Gifts that Your Girlfriends Secretly Want From You
:)
All EntrepreneurLikes have courage although they may not admit this to themselves or anyone else but they have this in abundance. They may present as confident but deep inside they are quaking with nerves and anticipation but at least they take action.
Nice your content
Contact trivandrum packers and movers and offering trivandrum packers and movers for relocation
Thank you for sharing great content, and for more growth in the Digital and Internet field, please check the Digital marketing institute in Noida by Digiperform which enhanced your skills and boost your leads and make a successful business icon of your wishes.
Yeah no one is reading the right book! They just inspired with the title and start reading like idiots
This blog post about the importance of reading the "right" books resonates with anyone passionate about literature. Finding the perfect book can transport you to new worlds and open your mind to fresh perspectives.
Sometimes, life can also be about embarking on new journeys, which can involve relocating to a new city. While exciting, moving can involve logistical hurdles, and car transport can be a particularly time-consuming one.
Imagine this: you've curated a fantastic collection of books you're eager to explore in your new city. But the stress of driving your car long distances or dealing with car shipping logistics puts a damper on your excitement.
This is where a reliable car transport service like Grewal Transport Services in Agra can be a game-changer. They handle car shipping securely and efficiently across India, allowing you to focus on the enriching aspects of your move, like getting lost in the pages of a captivating book in your new home.
Grewal Transport offers enclosed trailers to protect your car during transport, real-time tracking for peace of mind, and upfront quotes for stress-free budgeting. So, let Grewal Transport handle the car and focus on filling your new chapter with the right books and unforgettable experiences!
Post a Comment