Novelist, Short Story Writer Edward P. Jones in 2005

Summary

Born in Washington DC in 1950, the narrator's early reading was dominated by comic books until a 1964 trip to South Boston introduced them to a 1930s British mystery novel. This pivotal experience led to a growing interest in literature, especially works featuring Black characters like 'Native Son' and 'His Eyes on a Sparrow.' High school and a 10th-grade English class furthered this shift from comics to classic literature. The narrator's journey culminated in college, where a creative writing course with Maurice Dage hinted at their potential as a writer, despite a lack of daily writing discipline.

Takeaways

• 📚 The speaker grew up in Washington DC in the 1950s, primarily reading comic books and illustrated stories from the library.
• 🎓 Despite the presence of television, the speaker still engaged in a lot of reading, indicating a strong interest in literature from a young age.
• 🕵️‍♂️ A pivotal moment occurred in 1964 when the speaker read their first non-comic book, a 1930s British mystery novel, which sparked an interest in creating their own mental images.
• 🏡 The speaker's reading journey continued to evolve through exposure to more diverse literature during family visits, including works by African American authors.
• 🌆 The books 'Native Son' and 'His Eyes on a Sparrow' resonated with the speaker, reflecting experiences and lives similar to those in Washington DC and the South.
• 📚 'Black Boy' marked a significant shift in the speaker's reading habits, moving away from comic books towards more serious literature.
• 🏫 In high school, the speaker's 10th-grade English teacher played a crucial role in furthering their interest in literature and reading.
• 📘 The speaker discovered Signet paperbacks, which introduced them to a wider range of books, including classics.
• 🎨 College exposed the speaker to creative writing, with Maurice Dage being a notable influence, suggesting potential in the speaker's writing abilities.
• ✍️ The speaker contemplated a career in journalism but stayed to care for their ill mother, highlighting personal responsibilities over professional ambitions.
• 🤔 The speaker emphasizes the importance of thinking in the writing process, suggesting that it is as vital as the act of writing itself.

Q & A

Where was the speaker born and raised?

The speaker was born and raised in Washington DC.

What was the speaker's primary reading material during their childhood?

During their childhood, the speaker primarily read comic books.

What significant event in 1964 changed the speaker's reading habits?

In 1964, the speaker read a 1930s British mystery novel 'Who Killed Stella Pommel' which was the first book they ever read, marking a shift from comic books to other literature.

What was the first book the speaker read that was not a comic book?

The first book the speaker read that was not a comic book was 'Who Killed Stella Pommel'.

How did the speaker's reading habits evolve during their summer visits to relatives?

During summer visits to relatives, the speaker was introduced to more diverse literature, including 'Native Son', 'His Eyes on a Sparrow', and 'The Autobiography of EA Wers', which deepened their interest in reading.

What book in high school marked the beginning of the end of the speaker's comic book reading?

The book 'Black Boy' in the 10th grade marked the beginning of the end of the speaker's comic book reading.

What was the impact of the Signet books on the speaker's reading journey?

The Signet books with their red borders and nice paperbacks played a significant role in the speaker's reading journey, leading them to explore more books beyond comic books.

What was the speaker's initial intention after leaving college?

The speaker initially intended to go into journalism school after leaving college.

What changed the speaker's plans after leaving college?

The speaker's plans changed after leaving college because their mother took ill, and they stayed around to take care of her.

What was the speaker's first exposure to creative writing?

The speaker's first exposure to creative writing was in a course taught by Maurice Dage during their second year in college.

How does the speaker view the importance of thinking in the writing process?

The speaker views thinking as almost as important as writing, emphasizing the need to know what should come next in the narrative before attempting to write it down.