Seniors journal #2--Seeing the Extraordinary in the Ordinary (Seniors)
Your first assigned short story, The Lucid Eye in Silver Town, is a partially autobiographical account of its author, the young John Updike. Jay, the young boy in the story, is from some "hick town" in PA, as his father says in his sad, self-deprecating manner; Updike himself hailed from Shillington, a small town close to Reading, PA. Before he passed away last January at the age of 76, Updike was still reading and writing as much as ever.
Once a young man frustrated with a stalled career as a cartoonist, he tried his hand at fiction. His description of his first effort to write should encourage those of you who are intimidated or insecure in your own ability: "It's like sort of a horse you don't know is there, but if you jump on the back there is something under you that begins to move and gallop. So it's clearly a wonderful imaginary world that you enter when you begin to write fiction."
Updike went on to achieve the rare daily double of both popular and literary success, his novels read equally on airplanes and in college classrooms. His greatest gift was his ability to make us care about everyday people doing everyday things, a trait that makes him particularly American, this celebration of the common man.
Visit this webpage and read the Updike interview. Well, as much or as little as you need to in order to respond to this prompt:
Respond to any one or some of Updike's answers in this interview. He talks about a variety of subjects: his childhood, his experience with teachers, his early appreciation of reading, his writing theories, teaching a creative writing class, the American Dream, etc. You may merely respond in a agree/disagree--like/dislike manner OR relate his (and your) responses to "The Lucid Eye in Silver Town."
This represents one exercise in the "critical" side of the course. You might not find this journal or Updike's interview particularly exciting, but I'm hoping that you at least find it insightful. Let's face it. When was the last time you read serious musings on fiction from a serious writer of fiction?
Remember, 25 blog lines or 200 words.
posted by JTF @ 9:23 PM
28 comments
28 Comments:
I agree with a lot of John Updike’s responses so much so that I don’t think there was one I didn’t like except that he didn't really enjoy teaching a class. For instance, John Updike said that he didn't really enjoy teaching but in contrast i believe that teaching would be a rewarding job because you give your knowledge to aspiring writers. Another response he said was that he always loved humorous writings. He loved it so much that he incorporated it in his writings because he wanted to make people laugh. I honestly agree with what John Updike was saying. Personally I become disengaged with a story that doesn’t have humor in it. When an author is able to make you laugh it catches your attention and makes the story more enjoyable. Another agreement I have with Updike is that he had teachers encourage his writing. I believe encouragement is crucial to how much of a good writer you are or are inspired. Honestly, I’m not a fan of writing but a few years ago my confidence in writing was boosted because my teacher told me that I was a wonderful writer and hard worker. Because she boosted my confidence I wasn’t nervous or worried about writing she inspired me to be creative. Then John Updike was asked about what advice to give new writers in response he said “Try to develop actual work habits, and even though you have a busy life, try to reserve an hour say -- or more -- a day to write.” I strongly agree with this. Life is hard and very busy but if we reserve time for the things we like to do than good can come from it. In addition, I enjoyed reading his story “The Lucid Eye in Silver Town” because he tried to portray everyday life. When reading everyday life stories it catches a readers and one can relate to it. Even though I didn’t really know who John Updike was or even familiar with his writing until now, I believe that he was an incredible writer and person who wanted to connect to the readers.
After reading this interview, the question and answer that I found to be most interesting was when John Updike was asked what advice he would give younger or less experienced writers. When I was reading Updike's answer at first, the first thought in my mind was that he did not want to reveal any of his secrets that had given him so much popularity and literary success throughout his career. I suppose pessimism got the best of me in this case. Onle after I really began to think about his answer did I understand that I was completely wrong. What Updike was implying was that there is no limit to what can be taught and what is needed to be taught. Considering that he questioned the value of in depth classes on creative writing, I beleive that he strongly supports that being a talented writer can be a natural talent and does not need to be taught. He did not really give any specific tips in my opinion because he did not want young writers to read what he said and only focus on that. He wants them to learn through themselves because the possibilities of fiction are almost limitless. Overall, I found this interview to be very insightful, especially to someone who is an aspiring writer or author.
I agreed with a lot of the things that John Updike said, but for me, because I consider myself somewhat of a writer, I most agreed with the part that he explained that maybe the reason that he likes writing is because he is a bad “orator.” I think that I like writing so much because I am not the best speaker myself. I’m not going so far to say that I am socially inept, or that I can not stand in front of people and talk. But whenever everyone is staring at me talking, I feel uncomfortable and I stutter, and I always think that if I could have written what I was saying, that it would have been more impressive. I actually tell people that all the time, and most people know, that the awkward things I say and the things that don’t seem to make sense when I’m talking and trying to make a point, are not there (for the most part, maybe after some minor editing) when I am writing poetry or essays. I like to think about what I’m going to “put out there” before I put it out there, and talking on the spot does not always do that. I’m bordering on making myself sound unable to string two words together to make a simple sentence and speak it out loud. In summarization, I am not my best when I am speaking, but I think I am closer to my best when I am writing my thoughts or my words down.
Throughout John Updikes interview there were many opinions of his that I agreed with and some that I didn't agree with. I strongly agree with his belief that "random reading" is the best way to pick books and read them. By randomly picking a book based on what you read on the back or what you've heard about it, you get the chance to step into so many different worlds and learn, imagine, and become changed by things that you would have never thought of before. One of his opinions on what you should write about I greatly disagree with. Although it is easiest to write about what you know I find it more interesting to write about things that you only have an idea about. The reason being is your, the writer's, abilities of creativity are truly used to the fullest when doing so and also you, the writer, get to learn about a subject that you didn't know too well before. Kind of like a term paper, when you start off you only know the common knowledge but at the end of the report you've gone more indepth and learned more than you thought you would about the topic. This interview has been much like researching the barely known topic. At first I only knew of him as the writer of "The Lucid Eye in Silver Town", but now I know more about him instead of just the kinds of storys he writes.
After reading the interview, I found that I agreed with most of John Updike’s opinions. Something he talked about was his work habits, how he sets a certain time to finish a goal. This is something that I think is very useful and something that I do. Life can be very hectic with everything going on, but by setting time aside you can feel less pressure when doing your work because you know you will have enough time to finish. Something he said that I liked was that he likes to add humor to his writing. I tend to lose focus and interest when reading quite often, but if a piece had humor in it I find it much more interesting. His opinion about writing what you know about is something that I disagree with. I think that by writing about other things, it can make you a better writer and it is good to just try to experiment with other things. I like how in his writing he tries to “make an unadventurous circumstance seem adventurous”. This makes it more interesting and can make you see everyday life from a different perspective. I found his interview to be interesting and it motivates me to become a better writer.
In reading John Updike's interview I learned something very important about writers, and their works that I had not expected. Writing is a craft. In order to be good at it you have to take the time and have a passion for what you're writing about. I believe the reason Updike was such a great writer is because he had a passion for connecting with people through his works. He wanted his readers to understand other people better and make things seem more "real." I understood exactly what he meant when I read that particular answer. In reading stories about someone else, you can learn something about yourself as well. Even though I don't particularly like reading most books, I can find a way to connect somehow to the characters. When you're reading a story or poem, it's hard not to place yourself in the story or relate to the characters in some way. Another thing I enjoyed reading about in Updike's interview was how he said that he could make something out of nothing. As if he was a MacGyver of writing or something. Writing to Updike, just seemed so effortless. Even his responses in the interview were poetic. It was his passion in life, and you could tell. To put it simply, he had a gift. I'm glad I chose to read this interview because now whenever I read one of his stories or poems, I'll be able to better understand where he's coming from and have a greater appreciation for his works.
After reading "The Lucid Eye in a Silver Town”, I dreaded wasting my time reading anything else written by this author; especially an interview by the guy himself. This story was really boring for me, and seemed to have absolutely no point. But as I read question by question in the interview, my respect for John Updike grew. I was surprised, I actually had more in common with him than I thought and began to see all of the motives behind his writing. I really enjoy how he likes to make the world feel more real to the reader. How he likes to put the reader in a different time, social class, and situation. I think this is really interesting and especially important to the reader to help make them a more rounded person and to become more aware of the world around them. I feel like this is extremely vital for people to do. I also am alike with him in that I am a lot better at getting my point across through writing. This gives me time to sort my thoughts out and to word everything perfectly so I can get my point across accurately. But one thing John Updike said that helped me grow more respect for the story “A Lucid Eye in a Silver Town” is that he likes to write about ordinary things. Things happening every day that are so ordinary, people don’t even notice them. These are the little things that make our life what they are, and what everyone’s story so unique.
I must say that a lot of what Updike says in the interview are things I have thought of before, and agree to it. John Updike talks of moving from Shillington to Plowville at the age of thirteen towards the beginning of the interview. He says that any move annoys a child a great deal . He also says that all a child asks is that the world hold still while he grows up, and many of us don't get that wish. I absolutely and completely agree with all of my being. Yes, change is a fundamental part of life, but we just don't want to accept that fact as a child. Maybe I don't know what it's like to move from place to place, but I do know what moving on and growing up feels like. When I graduated from middle school, I went to Pencader Charter to start my high school years. The school wasn't for me and I transferred to St.Mark's High school. This was extremely hard, especially since groups and "cliques" were already established between fellow classmates of mine. I just wanted to go back to the past and pick up where I left off. It was hard, but it worked out for the better. Another part of the article I enjoyed and completely agreed to was when he was asked about his stuttering problem as a child. I, too, also had a stuttering problem as a child. Just like Updike, my parents told me it was because I had too much to say all at once and I couldn't get the words out. Still to this I day, I sometimes stutter if I'm in a nervous situation, that is.
I agree with most of his responses, espicially the one about not wanting to be a teacher. My mom and all my cousins on my moms side are teachers. I don't know if I could have the patience to teach little kids and high school students are too much to handle! I hear the drama we have at school and can't even imagine what the teachers hear. Some people just have a knack for teaching others. Another response I liked was the one about how he liked reading mystery and crime books but couldn't write them. Instead he likes to write about the real world and his life. He says it needs to be real but you need something to jump your imagination, so you can create another life. I don't agree with his response about writing making the world feel more real to him. I like reading stories for the complete opposite reason. When you're having a bad day and you find a good book or story that can "put" you into the life of an A-List high school student in California, or following Harry Potter's adventures at Hogwarts may be just what you need. Sometimes you need to get away from the real world and slip into someone else's imagination.
The response that interested me the most was when Updike talks about how he used to read a lot. He says that usually an only child reads often. However, I find this to be untrue. I am a reader and I’m also not an only child. I have two older sisters. My parents have always been big readers and I never got into reading until my sister did. She in a sense set up the path for me to begin reading. I remember growing up I would hear her talk about the stories she read and that just caught my attention because I realized how interesting books can be. Updike is completely correct when he says that reading is something kids can control. When I read I have my own vision of what the characters look like and how they talk. This helped build my imagination which helps in my own writing experiences.
John Updike had an early influence of writing from his mother. He liked the ease of sending your own piece of work with just “a little postage and effort” and off it went to a promising new home. While this inspired him he didn’t take writing into consideration just yet. He stated he liked visual art and that he was better at it. It is interesting how you may think you like one thing and have a passion for it and in an instant it can all change. John probably thought being a cartoonist would take him far; that he would be drawing for the rest of his life. He tried hard to make this craft work by taking drawing and painting lessons. He took all the resources available to him, what he could get his hands on. He even went to Harvard, not for writing but because he still saw himself as a “potential cartoonist.” I think John realized that while he may be good, there were still others that were better. If he found three people with a true talent for drawing at Harvard, how many others were there elsewhere? That’s when his early childhood came back into play. Watching his mother scribbling on paper in the front room, all those days when he was sick. He discovered this was his true destiny, and he would try to make it blossom.
I found this interview of John Updike to be extremely interesting. I was pleased but not surprised to know that John Updike had a great love for reading. Since he is a writer, I assumed that he would be, but knowing that reading was something that he also enjoyed as a child was an interesting thing to discover. I also thought it must have been difficult for Updike to live with his two parents and two grandparents. It is a wonder that Updike developed a creative mind for fiction under all of the adult supervision. Fiction was what Updike knew he wanted to do, and he succeeded at it immensely. The final thing that I found to be very interesting about Updike’s life was the fact that his father has been a math teacher who taught Updike himself. In today’s society, a father would never be able to teach their own child. In Updike’s response about his father teaching math, he says that he never wanted to be a teacher, but he does do a bit of teaching in the future. I found it a bit humorous that Updike said it was difficult to be a teacher and did not particularly enjoy it. I can imagine however, that trying to teach someone to think and write in a creative way like yourself would be a bit of a challenge.
I can strongly relate to John Updike's response on his moving experience. For the first 8 years of my life, I grew up in the same home in English Creek. By that time, my life was a routine, seeing the same people everyday at school or in my neighborhood, traveling the same distance from my house to school or to my friend's houses. Then one horrible day, my parents announced we were moving into a bigger home trying to trick my younger brother and I into thinking it was because we were getting a dog. I wasn't sure how to adjust. My normal routine life was going to completely change! It wasn't a far move, but i couldn't bare the thought of leaving my best friends in my neighborhood. When the day of the move came, I was excited to be living in a new house with a bigger room and of course, a bigger closet! I already had friends in the neighborhood that I went to school with so it wasn't like I was starting over. The day after I moved, I had forgotten I lived in a new house and claimed I was going to ride my bike to my friend's house. When my mom said that it was going to be a long bike ride, I was confused and the impact of the move suddenly effected me. In reading Updike's response and the bonding he had with his father, I was able to relate his situation with "The Lucid Eye in Silver Town". Updike is Jay in his situation. He goes somewhere unfamiliar to him and he begins to see things in a different way. He saw what it was like to be an American man in this world and the struggle that everyone goes through to make ends meet. His father and him bond just like Jay and his father bonded in the story because Jay came across a new found respect for his father from the knowledge he possessed about New York. Updike became a commuter at school and got to be with his father more often than most kids would. He, like Jay, learned things from his father, struggling for the dollar and cars to keep breaking down and the snow storms to keep coming under your wheels. Updike learns from the adventures him and his father shared and publishes them in a book. Jay also learns from his father in their trip to New York and feels he has no need to return there.
After reading the interview, I have found that many things Updike mentioned were very true. I think it takes great ability in order for someone to write a good piece of literature out of dull everyday events and people. In order for me to enjoy reading, I need to read something that grasps my attention, holds it, and leaves me wanting to read more. Usually something like that kind of literature has an exciting plot or a dramatic ending. However, in Updike’s case, he brings clever sentences into his ordinary life events and makes it extraordinary. He related a lot of his stories to his own life and the American middle class. I like how Updike mentions in his interview that originally he was not heading in the direction of writing, but was interested in art and being a cartoonist at Harvard. It was there that he stumbled across his passion for writing and became an excellent writer. In his interview, he mentioned that in the morning he sets aside three to four hours dedicated to writing. I agree with the advice that he gave us young writers about setting aside time to practice. I believe that while someone may already be a great writer, I think that it takes hard work and practice in order to be a brilliant one.
While reading John Updike's interview I found that I most enjoyed the bit about his early childhood. I found it interesting to find out that such an influential writer started off living with his parents and grandparents. He delt with money issues during the depression. I think that it takes a strong person to deal with money problems. I liked how he had a strong relationship with his family. Especially his father. Most of all I liked how he looked up to his father as an American Man. That must have given John confidence in himself to know he has someone there. I think that was part of his key to success in writing. John learned about the struggles of an American man first hand which gave him a strong backbone. It was his childhood where he became interested in reading. People in his family read materials like the Bible and newspapers. I think their influence pushed him to begin reading as a child.He read comics which gave him the idea to pursue a writing career in humorous writing. I find it fascinating that someone so young enjoyed reading and english as much as he did. I don't think i would ever be able to read two books a day. He mixed his childish ambition with laughter, a passion of his at the time. I believe a lot of people can learn from his experience and follow their passion just as he did.
I thought John Updike's answers were very interesting. One thing i noticed is that they way that he speaks is in the same tone as "A Lucid Eye in Silver Town." He use of phrases and wording reminds me of this story. Also, one answer of his that shocked me is that he did not enjoy teaching a class. People would think that since he enjoyed reading and learning so much that he would be thrilled to teach a creative writing course. However, this dislike of teaching is what led him into writing books. John Updike's responses were very appealing, and I would like to read more of his works.
One of the main focal points in John Updike’s interview was the fact that he lived his entire life as an only child and therefore read a lot. He says in the interview that as a child he was surrounded a family who constantly read a variety of things ranging from the bible to the newspaper. I believe that this and the fact that he was an only child and key contributors to John’s decision to pursue writing as his lifelong career.
I, on the other hand, am not an only child and because I am the youngest I have been surrounded by family and friends my entire life. Therefore, I never was able experience life without any siblings. Even though I have never been an only child I do, however, agree with Updike when he say that “I was an only child after all and only children tend to read.” I agree with this because it seems only logical that someone who does not have constant stimulation from a younger brother or sister would have more time and more energy to read. As a child my house was constantly active from dawn to dusk and I rarely had time to eat let alone read. After all of this one might say, “So you’d rather be an only child?” and I would reply no because I thrive off of chaos and it the only thing I know.
One of the main focal points in John Updike’s interview was the fact that he lived his entire life as an only child and therefore read a lot. He says in the interview that as a child he was surrounded a family who constantly read a variety of things ranging from the bible to the newspaper. I believe that this and the fact that he was an only child and key contributors to John’s decision to pursue writing as his lifelong career.
I, on the other hand, am not an only child and because I am the youngest I have been surrounded by family and friends my entire life. Therefore, I never was able experience life without any siblings. Even though I have never been an only child I do, however, agree with Updike when he say that “I was an only child after all and only children tend to read.” I agree with this because it seems only logical that someone who does not have constant stimulation from a younger brother or sister would have more time and more energy to read. As a child my house was constantly active from dawn to dusk and I rarely had time to eat let alone read. After all of this one might say, “So you’d rather be an only child?” and I would reply no because I thrive off of chaos and it the only thing I know.
The first question from this interveiw that i liekd to hear about was how John Updike writes to find out more about who you are as person. When i write papers, about my self, about other subjects, or anything. I learn so much about myself in the way i repsond to certain questions, blogs, and situations that i need to write about. I wrote a paper about my self last year in psych class and i really had to think about who i am and who i wanted to be and it really opened my eyes to who I am. The 2nd question i liked that John Updike answered was the one about giving advice to young writers. To the young writers, I would merely say, "Try to develop actual work habits, and even though you have a busy life, try to reserve an hour say -- or more -- a day to write. Some very good things have been written on an hour a day. I myself personally think if I were too set out an hour a daY to work on my writing, I would have eben better off in highschool, because my writing is not the greatest in the world and im trying to improve it but, the way John Updike didnt just give tips to being a great writer he kind of said somethings that young writers disregard in these days. I personally don't know John Updike i only know him as the man who wrote " The lucid eye in silver town". The Next and last thing about his essay i can compare with him about is a teacher teaching me valuable things in life but it wasnt an english teacher it was a math teacher and he taught me to respect geometry and made math fun for me his name is Mr. Van Nostrand he made math fun for me and i learned a lot from him and still now we have little talks about randoms things, but i am close with him like Updike was close with his english teacher. I loved the two stories we have read from john Updike and i consider him one of the best writers I have ever read from before.
i don't agree with Updikes comment when he says "All a child asks is that the world hold still while he or she grows up." i have moved 4 times in my lifetime. and yes once i remember it being traumatic. but that was just once out of four times. when your really young you don't remember much, i don't remember my family's first move from NY to DE. if a child is surround by the same people and same scene their entire life its going to be hard to except change as they get older when things really get all switched around. like change in schools (especially college), a new job, and relationships. moving around has really helped me learn to adapt to new things. it has forced me to become a people person having to make new friends everywhere i go. i think change is good because it helps you develop some backbone, it teaches you to almost in a way become independent and self-suffciant.
like john updike i love to read too. i wish there were more hours in the day for me to just sit and read a book. i didn't become a reader until last year with the series twilight. bridget advised me to read it and i did. now i can't get dragged out of boarders. although i have never even heard of any of the authors updike mentions, let alone read them.
through reading this interview i feel like updike has become more relatable knowing his background and journey.
I agree with Updike in that the world can never get too much laughter. For me, everything I do or see or anyone else does or sees has to have some sort of comical element. It keeps things interesting and it puts a smile on people’s faces, which can brighten their whole day. People would enjoy reading a novel that has something funny in it rather than a book that is continuously depressing. A good storyline, conflict, dialogue, and a joke every now and then keep the reader to want to keep reading. I’m not much of a reader now, but I am trying to expand more on what enters my brain. All I read is literature, and that causes my lack of reading more. But if we had something more than Harry Potter in the house, I might have been more prone to it. I also agree that only children do tend to read more, only children and literate and intelligent children. Books are the old-fashioned way of entertainment, and it’s not such a bad one. Kids in this day and age should read more, though maybe not two books in one afternoon (with the exception of the Twilight rage this past spring), but at least a chapter or two.
I agree with a lot the responses John Updike said during his interview. His passion for reading and writing at an early age is inspiring. A child hunting for The New Yorker in a small-town is humorous because you don't see many young people so intent on finding a reading a writing magazine. Updike enjoys reading mysteries and crime-solving novels but he can only write realistic stories. But I think realistic suits him better. He understands the concept that you can make “an unadventurous circumstance seem adventurous.” A simple event such as visiting an uncle in New York City can become a revealing show of character in yourself, your father, and your uncle. It is all how you approach a situation and make it interesting. I admire this theory Updike tries to use in his works. Another thing I found interesting was the way he tries to reveal himself through his work. He said that his character Rabbit, from the Rabbit series, is loosely based on himself. However, this character Rabbit is more handsome, athletic, and ambitious than Updike.
Somewhere in his answer to the question, "What was it like being an only child and living with your grandparents and your parents?" John Updike made a statement that I could not agree with more completely. Updike claimed that "instead of an Oedipal triangle, I had a kind of pentagon, which in a way is better, so it was nice," referring to being raised by both his parents and his country folk grandparents. This statement reveals that Updike believed the more influences he had when he was younger the better, and this is where I see eye to eye with him. I believe that we are who we are today because of how we were raised by our parents or guardians, in Updike's case, his parent and grandparents. The more positive influences we are surrounded by, the better person we will grow to be, and it is all because of our parents. Updike's guardians had twice the effect on him, because he had twice as many guardians as the average child. Having four guardians opened Updike up to the diverse views of the world, transmitted through his parents and grandparents.
After reading this interview, I have gained a great amount of insight on the kind of person that John Updike is. I did not necessarily like the The Lucid Eye in Silver Town but now I have a better understanding of why he wrote it. I agree with many of the answers that John Updike gave in his interview. Like Updike, my taste in books is to humor. I am not an avid reader but if the book is funny then it will take me only about a few days to finish it. I completely agree with a thing that society never could have too much of is laughter. I liked how John Updike said that sometimes writers need no training, and some of the amateur ones who just jump in do better than the ones who have the Ph.D. in creative writing. Writing is about who you are and how you can be creative with ordinary situations. Your creativity can not be taught, you just know it. One thing that I thought was odd in this interview was that Updike liked that his dad was his teacher in math. Although I do love my parents, I do not know if I could handle having one of them as my teachers. Overall I was thoroughly pleased with reading this interview. It has given me some pointers on how to become a better writer.
After having read John Updike's interview I mostly agree with what he has to say in his responses. The response I mostly agreed with was when he was talking about writing about ordinary life rather than science fiction. I agree that it is better to write about ordinary life and make it sound more adventurous than to rather write a complete fantasy. People want to be able to relate to the characters they are reading about and when it’s talking about normal life it is much easier to relate to then being a secret agent or an alien. It is much more entertaining for me personally to read a story about the normal life yet make it sound adventurous with a twist. It is much more believable and better for older audiences. I also agree about writing on paper to find out about who you truly are. I have noticed that through writing you can tell a person’s personality and the way they are through their very own writing. Sometimes I write things without really thinking and it comes out great and I learn a little about myself. A thing I disagreed with was when he talked about writing about things you know. I personally think writing about things you already know can be boring and dull. Writing about things you are just learning about or something new can be fresh, pleasant, and much more appealing.
The first thing that struck me about Updike in reading this interview was that he related his writing to his own personal experiences. He contends that even the area he lived influenced some of his writings. Consequently, he developed a great ability to relate to ordinary people and their lives. His surroundings also played a role in his career. Updike stated his mother was a writer, his father was a teacher, and grandfather was an avid reader. Given these factors combined with living on the farm (spending time reading in the barn) aided to his natural writing ability. Another interesting aspect of Updike was that he did not enjoy teaching or view it as positive to him as a person. I have to disagree with this view. I believe that if someone possesses a talent and knowledge they would want to enlighten students who share similar passions. Another fact that intrigued me was that he had a stuttering problem throughout his entire life. This pushed him to write well, because it allowed him to communicate to others in a way he couldn’t do because of his speech impediment. Overall, I learned and enjoyed a great deal from reading this interview. Updike not only took his life experiences, but his desire to relate and illustrate the views of ordinary people. Updike said” Well, in a democracy in the 20th and 21st Century, if you can't base your fiction upon ordinary people and the issues that engage them, then you are reduced to writing about spectacular unreal people.” This statement clearly illustrates his purpose for writing. It is what has made stories such as “The Lucid Eye in Silverton,” so enjoyable to read. As readers, we can relate to the language, actions, and emotions of characters such as Jay.
The first thing that struck me about Updike in reading this interview was that he related his writing to his own personal experiences. He contends that even the area he lived influenced some of his writings. Consequently, he developed a great ability to relate to ordinary people and their lives. His surroundings also played a role in his career. Updike stated his mother was a writer, his father was a teacher, and grandfather was an avid reader. Given these factors combined with living on the farm (spending time reading in the barn) aided to his natural writing ability. Another interesting aspect of Updike was that he did not enjoy teaching or view it as positive to him as a person. I have to disagree with this view. I believe that if someone possesses a talent and knowledge they would want to enlighten students who share similar passions. Another fact that intrigued me was that he had a stuttering problem throughout his entire life. This pushed him to write well, because it allowed him to communicate to others in a way he couldn’t do because of his speech impediment. Overall, I learned and enjoyed a great deal from reading this interview. Updike not only took his life experiences, but his desire to relate and illustrate the views of ordinary people. Updike said” Well, in a democracy in the 20th and 21st Century, if you can't base your fiction upon ordinary people and the issues that engage them, then you are reduced to writing about spectacular unreal people.” This statement clearly illustrates his purpose for writing. It is what has made stories such as “The Lucid Eye in Silverton,” so enjoyable to read. As readers, we can relate to the language, actions, and emotions of characters such as Jay.
When I read John Updike's interview, it was interesting. His method of writing is completely different from mine. While Mr. Updike writes about ordinary people who have adventures in ordinary places, I tend to write about people who have something special or paranormal happen to them. Also, Updike discusses how he spends three to four hours a day working on his work while I spontaneously have ideas out of the blue. I cannot sit and be forced to write but, I have ideas by just walking down a flight of stairs. Third, my writing tends to focus on the characters and their emotions and psyche while Updike's work focuses mainly on setting and outward events. However, even with all these differences, the interview gave me insight on a whole new form of writing and I am now able to have a better perspective when a basic or ordinary event is needed. It just goes to show that you can learn something from everything.
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