Writers: Jeffrey Eugenides and Zadie Smith

I find that knowing something of the writer's background is helpful for me in understanding their work. I should have been a historian, I tend towards categorizing writers not by personality but historical epoch. One thing wholly lacking in prison is information. The federal Bureau of Prisons is quite terrified of the internet, so no Google. This lack of information aids in infantilizing prisoners. This is part of a series of writers that I did look up when I got internet access. Some will be about the writer, and others may feature the writer. I went to YouTube for my main source, but others will also include some other material relating to the book or author discussed. One thing I did not have when younger was access to information about how writers wrote. I think that kept me from understanding the actual work, which, in turn, led me away from writing.

 I have read only one novel by Jeffrey Eugenides, Middlesex. That was while I in prison. I recall reading a review of The Marriage Plot, but that was all I knew of him. Middlesex amused me, taught me about intersex, and impressed with its intelligent prose. Turns out Eugenides is Michigan born and my age. With the limited information possible in prison, I had no idea about this. So, another Midwestern writer. Another one of us hailing from the borderlands.

Okay, I adore Zadie Smith. Listening to her is a joy, intelligent but not snooty; humorous. I have posted about her before - feel free to check out those posts wherein I lay bare my fanboy self. What I like best about here is that I learn from her about writing and feel encouraged by here example. Another borderland writer, for all of her being a Cambridge graduate.

Both are writers who if I see their name on anything, I will read.

And that is why I watched the following video:

I suggest those wanting to be writers should watch this.

sch 6/11