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Award-winning authors discuss fiction, poetry, inspiration, and upcoming books.
Winner Fanon Jeffers Fiction writer, poet and essayist. She is the author of her five poetry collections, including the 2020 collection. Phyllis eraWinner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work in Poetry and the Lenore Marshall Poetry Award, was longlisted for the National Book Awards.
Jeffers has been elected to the Antiquarian Society of America and is a Kenyon Review critic. She teaches writing and literature at the University of Oklahoma. WEB Du Bois love song is her first novel, new york times Bestseller, National Book Critics Circle Award Winner for Fiction, National Book Award Longlist, Oprah Book Club Pick.
She will perform at the Virginia Festival of the Book on March 24th..
Konstantin Rega: Did you always want to be a writer?
Honore Fanon Jeffers: Yes, no. When I was little, I used to write stories and play the piano. I really thought I would become a concert pianist! It’s very interesting to me now. I can’t even remember how to read sheet music anymore.
I stopped playing the piano about a year before entering junior high school. Around the same time, I also stopped writing novels. After that, I can’t remember why, but I returned to writing when I was in high school, and started writing in earnest around that time. Maybe it’s because I had a hard time in high school. I was bullied by my peers and my home life was not very happy. As a result, I suffered from extreme depression.
Maybe writing was an escape for me. don’t know. Whatever the reason, from the age of 15, by the time she was 16, deep inside she wanted to be a writer. Of course, those adolescent poems and stories were terrible, but by then I knew I wanted to do something that involved creative writing.
It took me another ten years to figure things out after high school in terms of being a writer. There were many twists and turns. We bring you his Cliff’s Notes version of that journey. It’s been a tough journey, but I’m here now, still alive and writing. I am grateful.
What inspires you? Is there a difference between poetry and fiction?
At this point in my life, I am constantly thinking about writing. From the time I wake up in the morning to the time I go to sleep, there is never a moment when I am not thinking about writing. Sleep with your notebook somewhere nearby, on your bedside table or bed. Even if I’m not actually using my laptop, I’m thinking about writing, even if I’m not putting pen to paper.
I can go days without writing anything, but that’s about it. If I haven’t written something in 7 or 8 days (I haven’t necessarily finished something, just nibbled on something), I feel very sad and confused about my life purpose. .
I wouldn’t say “seek inspiration”. Because it’s something very organic to me. I often write something because an idea came to me while reading non-fiction. I read a lot of African American history. Those are the intentional moments where I move towards inspiration.
But sometimes I dream something, wake up and write it down. I thought the dream would stop after the novel came out. My novel is such a big book, so much of it was fueled by my dreams, that I thought my subconscious, and my spirit, had dried up. I hadn’t had a dream like this before, so I started to think I was still writing. Then, a few months ago, I started dreaming again and woke up with the words. I was so shocked and happy. It was a great moment.
I always know the difference between poetry and fiction. Because in my poetry the words are more abstract and the words have an obvious rhythm. Poetry is rarely a story. For me, poetry comes out quickly. Fiction takes longer to complete than poetry. There’s a short story I’ve been working on for 10 years or fiction years, and a novel I just published took about 11 years from start to line-editing process.
But the sense of closure is the same in both poetry and fiction. I always know when a story is finished, and so is poetry. It is a feeling of ecstasy, more than a rush or utter joy. I can’t explain it well, but there is no such thing.
What do you want readers to read from your book?
Being a reader myself, I want to offer my readers the same thing that I do when I read a book. I want you to enjoy the journey of reading what I have written. I don’t want anyone to read my book because they feel a sense of responsibility.
My readers owe me nothing. I am the one who owes my readers—probably not in terms of my subject choice. .
Whatever it is that brings someone to my books, whether it’s reading reviews or doing ‘buddies’ with a friend or a book club, I’m sure they’ll take the time to read my work. I’m glad you gave it to me.
Where do you think your writing will go next? A novel, an anthology?
My next three books are planned, and as is usually the case, these books are in constant flux until I know they’re finished. Now I am working on a collection of essays. It will be published next year. After I submit it to my editor, I start working on my collection of short stories. In between writing essays, I nibble on stories. And while I’m writing both books, I’m working on the biography of Lucille Clifton, the great American poet.
There is also a finished manuscript of the poem, which does not say much. Clifton was my mentor and he told me to always speak openly. So wherever the word takes me, I follow. I hope someone finds the book I just finished on my laptop when I get called to Glory!
What do you like most about being a writer?
It makes me very happy to say that people have read at least one of my books. Honestly, it feels great and I am filled with immeasurable gratitude. I am very blessed.
Get a copy of her book at The Bookshop.
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