CREATIVE WRITING ONLY (journal #2): An Interview With John Updike (due Oct. 6)
Your first assigned short story, A & P, is a classic coming-of-age tale that ends badly for the teenager testing the waters of self-reliance and righteousness. It was written in 1961 by John Updike, a master of fiction who was writing up til his death in 2009. It's fiction--if not based on a real experience, it certainly reads as if it could have happened. It contains the quality of verisimilitude, that of being "true to life," especially in the character of Sammy, who acts, talks, and breathes like a teenager stuck in Smalltown, USA with its smalltown ways.
Once a young man frustrated with a stalled career as a cartoonist, John Updike 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 well 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 web page and read the Updike interview.
The entire 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 interview 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 "A & P" in some way.
So is this a creative assignment? Of course not, but I'm hoping that you find it insightful so that you know what to expect when you jump on the horse to write your own creative work.
Remember, write an minimum of 250 words.
posted by JTF @ 1:45 PM
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29 Comments:
John touched on a fundamental concept behind creative writing when he discussed the sort of stories he is well known for. He described managing the balance between writing what one personally knows about and what one doesn’t. When he talked about his first endeavors in creative writing, John recalled struggling with mystery stories. He knew how to construct the plot, but the absence of real life bothered him. He then moved to writing about what he did know, life and the time he spent with it. After this, John revealed that he had written some not well-known science fiction. The back and forth transition between personally relevant ideas and unfamiliar concepts that he went through describes how many people approach creative writing. They may start with familiar topics that are easy to write about but almost seem to lack full creativity. Then, as they move to more foreign themes, the writing becomes more difficult and may not come out as intended. Each person’s creative writing ability starts its life on the support machine of familiar subjects. Then he or she gradually weans it off, taking small steps to write in unfamiliar territory. I think some writers, including myself, have a hard time accepting what they already know as truly creative writing. There is this mistakenly presumed idea that creative writing needs to be outlandish and original in order to qualify as such. However, John serves as a contrary example. He is a well-known, respected writer of fiction who admits in his interview to adhering to what he could verify himself, or in other words what he knows. His following statements then reveal he had also tried writing books apart from his own experiences. It allowed him to invent another life beside his own and fully engage his imagination. John ultimately acknowledged that creative writing exists as a continuum. Creative does not necessarily denote the unexplored, but it certainly does include it.
In life, I believe we are all called to live the cliché of following our dreams. John Updike, growing up, made it clear that he didn’t believe he could live as a poet and deemed “fiction as his game.” He had thought to attempt fiction in the hope of entering the imaginary world ahead of him. “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” he explained to his interviewer. This belief is very close to the way I think when it comes to my thought of my future occupation. Just as Updike did, I grew up thinking I wanted to be something other than what I’ve chosen. Being that almost everyone in my family had gone into a job in the medical field, I felt as though they had influenced me to do the same just like Updike’s mother had influenced him. I wanted to explore the world of things I had never been accustomed to, the world of business. The majors of Business Marketing and Fashion Merchandising caught my eye. I am prepared to try, prepared to triumph failure, and know that “not everyone who tries” will make it as far as the next person. But sometimes, like Updike, you need to conquer your angst and beat the odds. John Updike’s wisdom, and life understanding truly established the foundation for his success in his career.
The purpose of literature and novels has always been a point that has been constantly expanded and redefined. Novels and literature are an essential part of culture for a multitude of reasons. John Updike says that through writing the world becomes more real. He quotes D.H Lawrence who says the purpose of novels is to extend a reader’s sympathy. It is through novels and literature we have a chance to come into contact with different walks of life that we would have been able to experience otherwise. A housewife can live the life of a coal miner. A student can become a soldier. A CEO can feel the pain poverty. Novels act as windows into lives we will never live and experience. These new experiences help us to sympathize and love others we never would have been able to understand otherwise. Through novels and writing the world’s horizons are endless. John Updike’s “A&P” tells the story of a young clerk who takes a stand against a perceived injustice. Although one may never be in that situation, through Updike’s writings, a reader can understand that mindset. It is through writing we can become new people, we become that outraged clerk defending the rights of the women in swimsuits. Writing is a way to bring the world closer together. We experience and understand through reading and we see the humanity and vulnerability in everyone. Through writing and literature the world opens up so that we can peer into the souls of those we will never meet.
The entirety of John Updike’s interview was interesting, but his advice to young writers spoke to me most because it was so honest. Updike confronted his hesitancy in advising young writers because it is simply difficult. Unlike a musician, there aren’t certain skills that one must have to write; the range of writing skills is more complicated because one can have all the credentials but still be a poor writing. This stands true because some of my peers are more skilled writers than some professors with Ph.D.’s in creative writing, as he pointed out. Teaching someone how to write and write well is difficult, and Updike is aware of the limits that the challenge presents. His advice is very unique and insightful, though, and I personally found it to be beneficial. Most esteemed writers seem to encourage inexperienced writers to write what they know, write like no one will read their work, or write how they talk. Updike doesn't give advice on specific conventions or content; Updike suggests how to improve all writing by developing work habits. As sensible as it is, I would have never thought of this. Like any sport, hobby, or talent, writing requires practice and outstanding habits. “An hour say -- or more -- a day,” as Updike proposes, maintains consistency, an important characteristic of dignified authors. Updike also does not want writers to write without a purpose, and I strongly agree because writing has the purpose of communication, whether it is ideas, dreams, facts, or fears. Finally, my last praise is that Updike encourages those writing to aim to earn money because making a living and courting an audience are notable. He does not exaggerate this point, however. If the only interest of someone in writing is to become rich, he should move on because writing probably won’t accomplish that. John Updike’s segment of giving advice to new writers was especially beneficial as I mount the invisible horse of creative writing.
Something that I can relate to in this interview with John Updike is when he talks about reading. My dad is one of those people that always has a book in his hands. In fact, he usually reads three or so books at a time. I got my love of reading by watching him. I learned how to read fast and how to read more than one book at a time. Unlike Updike, however, I am not an only child. But one of my favorite things to do is sit in my living room with my family with the TV on with a book in my lap. Even if I am not paying attention to the TV, I love being able to switch back and forth between the fantasy world of whatever book I’m reading and the reality of my family. If I am not at school, doing homework, or at swim practice, I am reading a book. When I have a lot of free time, I can read a long book like Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in one or two days. But my free time is at a bare minimum most of the time. Nowadays, I am fortunate if I can even pick my book up once a day. I wish I had the kind of time that Updike describes in his interview, but, alas, I do not. Like Updike, I have read books just because I knew that they were considered classics. In seventh grade, I read both The Iliad and The Odyssey. At the time, I was obsessed with Greek mythology and these books were the epitome of my obsession. Although it is impressive that I have read these books, I will not re-read them of my own free will. They were by far the two hardest books I have ever read and I’m still pretty sure that I don’t know what happened. This part of the interview made me realize that I have something in common with this amazing author: a love of reading at a young age.
I thought the interview with John Updike covered many great topics. It was interesting to learn more about the man who wrote A&P. One thing that stood out to me from his interview was his concept of the American Dream. I liked how he defined the American Dream as being a great freedom. I like how he compared the freedom in America to freedom in other countries. He told the story of the 16-year-old French boy who admired the braveness of Americans. He mentioned how the boy liked how Americans weren’t afraid to dress however they wanted. Americans aren’t afraid of the government because the government gives the citizens the liberty to express themselves however they want. In A&P John Updike shows that exact freedom that Americans are given. The girls are able to confidently enter the grocery store in their bikinis because they aren’t afraid. They aren’t worried about being restrained by some over powering government official. They aren’t worried about being judged by the public because Americans live in a society that allows them to express themselves freely. John Updike mentions how he realizes how lucky he is to have grown up in an America where he doesn’t have to be afraid of the government. He also talks about how he hopes todays children will grow up with a similar sense of privilege that he had. I think children today are indeed growing up in the same America that Updike grew up in. Children today are still able to express themselves however they want too without being afraid of the government or anyone else.
One thing I can relate to with John Updike is his love for reading. I find it funny that he says that only children tend to read a lot because I am an only child who adores reading. When I was growing up I did not live in a neighborhood or have any siblings, so it was up to my imagination as to how I filled my free time. The good thing was that I lived on a five acre property with woods, a pond, and a creek that helped dismiss my boredom. During the weekdays my routine was the same; get home from school, get a snack, do my homework, and get the book I was reading at the time to my “reading stump” in the woods down by the creek. It was my favorite pastime in the world, being outside with nature and the beauty of my surrounds and also being engulfed in the fantasy world of my book. It really did feel like “a world a child can control” because I would get to pick which fantasy adventure I felt like going on that week. It would be my time to escape reality and help enhance my imagination. Sometimes I wish reading helped my creative skills in the writing department. Unlike John Updike I do not find myself to be a great writer. I think reading has helped me with grammar and sentence structure but sometimes I find myself struggling to write. However reading brought so much joy to my life that I can’t complain. If I didn’t have my books I don’t know what I would have done. I probably would have been a couch potato and watched mindless TV for hours, thank goodness that didn’t happen.
In one segment of his interview, John Updike says that writing helps the world feel more real to him. He then goes on to say that he believes that reading has the same effect. I completely agree with this opinion. The example that he used to portray his opinion is what really helped me understand what he was really getting at. He talks about how an upper or middle class woman can read a book about thugs, coal miners, or low-lives and still enjoy it. This example basically poses the question: why do we find ourselves reading about people and things that are foreign to us? Everyone only has one life to live. Each person’s life is different from the next. Because of this, no one person is able to fully understand what another person is going through. But this all changes the minute a person picks up a book. In reading, the barrier from one life to another is broken. As a reader, you are able to delve into the lives of the characters in a book. You become the characters you read about because you are experiencing what they are experiencing. As Updike states, you become a better person as a result of reading about people and things that are unfamiliar to you. You get a better understanding of what it is like to live outside the life you are living. You gain knowledge of the troubles and hardships that exist in the lives of different people in this world. Ultimately, reading changes the way we see the world by giving us the opportunity to see through the eyes of another.
Growing up as an only child shapes you differently than it would if you grow up with siblings. John remembers his childhood as spending a lot of time with his parents and my life has been similar. Being an only child has its advantages and disadvantages. Being the only child and first grandchild means that you are more spoiled than most kids your age. This can be good when it comes to holidays and vacations but when it comes to school that’s a different story. Having all eyes on you growing up is a lot of pressure. They see every mistake because there’s no one else for them to watch. Living farther away than most people who I went to school with meant that most days I would be riding with one of my parents to school because there wasn’t anyone else to carpool with. Having a stay at home mom who drives you everywhere makes your relationship closer as opposed to someone whose parents both work and don’t see them as often. Growing up as an only child has shaped me into the person, I am today because I am so close with both of my parents since I never had to compete for attention and split time with someone else. Most people ask me if it’s awful to be an only child and I don’t see why it would be. Sometimes it can be very boring but I am lucky to have the relationship that I have now with my parents because of it.
John Updike suffered from a stuttering problem when he was a child. He stated that stuttering is triggered by fear. He said that he wrote because writing is easier than talking, since you can’t stutter when you write. While thinking about what Updike said, I thought of how when one is afraid to speak, one thinks. A world that is quieter and closer to silence than noise is full of observations. In “A&P,” Sammy did not speak very much. He spent most of the story thinking, observing, noticing the little things that most people would pass over or not even pick up on. One that does not speak much is able to notice more of his surroundings because he is spending his time focusing on the world around him rather than on what is coming out of his mouth. I wonder if Sammy in “A&P” was inspired by Updike himself as a child, thinking and noticing things because he was quieter due to his stutter.
Updike never allowed his stutter to keep him from speaking altogether, however. I believe that that could be the reason that Sammy spoke up in the end for those girls. Sammy said that once he made the initial gesture, he needed to follow through with it because it would be fatal not to. Sammy knew that he had to follow through, and he did so without fear. He knew that he could not question what he was doing right then, so he stayed firm, did not fear what he was doing, so he did not stutter. I believe that Updike making gestures and following through with them with confidence as Sammy did in “A&P” allowed him to grow in his self-esteem and therefore he was able to help control his stutter and grow as a speaker and as a confident person.
John Updike is a very interesting man and did a good job making it easy for readers to understand his answers to the interviewer’s questions. I enjoyed when John discussed which career path he wanted to take and the reasoning behind it. I figured that writing was his muse from the start but it was in fact art and drawing. So many people go to college thinking they want to do one thing but once they start they realize that it isn’t the right profession for them and switch. Fortunately for John this didn’t take him long and he discovered he wasn’t the best cartoonist there and hopped onto the writing horse. It was humorous to me that he didn’t want to be a poet because there is no living there because I have always thought the same I never got why people wanted to be poets because who would pay a poet to make a poem for them? Instead, become a fiction writer and use your imagination from art and put it into a story. I have no disdain for poets or poetry, I just always wondered if there was market for it and so did John. He obviously decided no and started his writing career. It is obvious that he is gifted because his mom tried for years and received nothing but shortly after starting, he was published. It is very difficult to get published and even more difficult to be a successful writer after being published. I enjoyed reading this interview because it takes some pressure off my college decisions.
John Updike is a prime example of taking different approaches to creative writing. He explained how he first started writing mystery novels when he was a teenager. He struggled with these mystery stories because writing entertainments himself felt unnatural to him – he wanted to write books on what he knew. John began to write a little more seriously by attempting to write what he knew, but also adding unfamiliar ideas. When writing fiction, John Updike mentioned how you can’t just write what you know. Something must be different so that your imagination is fully engaged, and you can invent another life to some extent. This doesn’t necessarily mean that creative writing excludes relevant notions; in fact, many writers start with what they know. Many creative writers tend to start their writing with familiar subjects so that they may ease their way into the story. Including unknown concepts along the way becomes challenging, but it enhances the creative aspect of the story. A gradual accumulation of foreign ideas comes into play during the creative process. This creative process takes time – all of the unfamiliar concepts aren’t going to come to a writer instantaneously. The writer might not quickly recognize even the familiar concepts, but that is the beauty of creative writing. Creative writing is like a continuation of experiences with a touch of uncommon concepts. I also feel as though creative writing is very similar to everyday life in the belief that people go through repetitive routines, but experience new things along the way.
John Updike mentioned that his eighth grade English teacher had encouraged and inspired him immensely to write. Although I do not have any future plans to become a writer like John Updike, I, too, have had my love for writing sparked by an English teacher. I cannot, however, just pick one teacher who has most significantly inspired me to write. All of my English teachers, from elementary school to my senior year of high school, have taught me to not hold back in my writing. I’m not sure if it was because I went to Catholic school for my entire life or because I have had fantastic teachers, but correct grammar has been hammered into my brain for as long as I can remember. Nothing grinds my gears more than the improper uses of “there” and “their” or “your” and “you’re”. It probably all started with my second grade teacher, Mrs. Losito. She did not let any seven- or eight-year-old get away with a run-on sentence or sentence fragment. And don’t even try to get past her with starting a sentence with an article! My winning streak of English teachers continued through middle school with Mrs.Vogt and Mrs. Moroz, but I really hit the jackpot when I got to high school. Two of my favorite all-star teachers that I have had so far are both English teachers: Mrs. Radulski and Mrs. Healey. With Mrs. Radulski’s cool swagger and Mrs. Healey’s hilarious quirks, it is a no-brainer why English has been my favorite class since the beginning of my sophomore year. I hope one day I can unmask an even more intense joy for writing and make someone like John Updike and my childhood English teachers very proud.
In the interview, John Updike talks about how he has more or less kept to the axiom “write what you know.” He has used his own life and the conflicts and struggles he experienced in his own family to write about life in America. Although I definitely am an avid reader of fantasy, I agree with the fact that it is easier to write about what you know. The idea that your own experiences and emotions lurk beneath the words of your story seem to give your words more substantiality. It confirms that what your writing is legitimate and makes it seem as if the reader will better grasp the message or emotion of the story. It gives your words more weight, knowing that the feelings and situations are borne out of real experience. A reader is more likely to relate to your words. However, although Updike agrees with “write what you know,” he acknowledges that you must also somehow get out of the world you know, if only by some small jump or trick. This small difference enables your imagination to be fully engaged. You divulge the happenings of your own life, but somehow are creating another, not quite parallel, life. And I agree with Updike’s assessment of this trick; because it would not be called fiction if you are essentially penning an autobiography. For it to be considered creative writing, the writer must employ the use of his or her imagination to invent some new circumstance. Because no matter what, I believe a writer must consider, if only a little, who will be reading their words. As a fiction writer, a person must give some thought to the fact that they need to make their story or novel interesting. They must have something to capture the attention of the reader. So, I definitely agree with Updike’s assessment that fiction must be a combination of writing what you know and new twists that you incorporate with your own experiences.
In his interview, John Updike talked about his love of reading and learning due to his background of a writer mother and a teacher father. He talks about how he read in his childhood. Updike expressed his love for reading and the gain of knowledge when growing up on the farm. I can relate to this, as when I was young I had an abnormal love of books. One of my parent’s first memories of me is me sitting in a basket of books, possibly reading (more likely looking at the pictures). I was two. When I graduated to kindergarten, I read everything I could get my hands on. This habit continued onwards in middle school. I received a few demerits and reprimands from teaching telling me to stop reading. While I would love to read again in high school, but other studies take up my time. With his father being a teacher, John gained a great appreciation for teachers and what they do. My father works in the medical field, and although I find the topic fascinating, I would not want to join it at the moment. However,I still have all the respect for those in the medical field. He also talks about writing. He makes note of writing about what you know. I personally think that that is a good idea. It is better to do something you do best. However, it is also important to expand your horizons you you can write about more things. What he said about following your dreams. Although I don’t want to become a writer, what he said was interesting to me. He talks about the dubious nature of creative writing classes, but he will admit to the necessity of practice when it comes to writing. He also talks about the dangers of the stratification of writing in general. He worries that creative fiction writers will turn elitist and turn in on themselves. I find this idea fascinating, and scarily true. There is nothing worst than a group of elitists that won’t take criticism and advice from anyone else.
John Updike said that writing and reading helps the world feel more real to you. I loved this because even though I had never thought about reading this way, it couldn’t be more true. Each of us is born into a certain kind of life, and each person’s life is different. Some people are born into very wealthy families, others very poor. Some are born with highly educated parents, other’s parents may not have had that opportunity. No matter what kind of family or lifestyle you come from, it may be hard to put yourself in the shoes of someone who lives a completely different lifestyle. Updike says in his interview that, “…upper middle class women can read happily about thugs, about coal miners, about low life, and to some extent they become better people for it because they are entering into these lives that they have never lived and wouldn't want to lead…” He explains that we get to “meet” people we may never actually want to or have the chance to meet in our real lives and we become better people from reading about them. We are able to see and understand other people we don’t normally get to be around and become better human beings because of it. The characters we read about become real to us, as if they are our friends. Sometimes we get so invested in characters and never want anything bad to happen to them—we care about them. This is true no matter what walk of life the character comes from; we still can relate to them and understand them somehow. Reading helps us understand our world.
Although I was born and raised in Delaware, lived in the same house all of my life, and have attended a total of two schools, I related to Updike when he talked about his move at the age of 13. He said, "I think any move annoys a child a great deal. All a child asks is that the world hold still while he or she grows up, and many of us don't get that wish." I, like many others, am not one who enjoys change. I have watched my sister and brother finish schooling and move out, friends come and go, and loved ones pass by. I often feel that everyone else is moving at a far faster pace then I am, and wish I could pause the rest of the world while I have time to catch up. I find comfort in routine and familiar surroundings, so I can only imagine that moving, whether to a different state or just a couple miles away, would be somewhat traumatic for me. I like the way he started out by saying that a move would be an annoyance to any child, but then taking a positive perspective and tell how the move wasn't that bad. In fact, the new location, which enabled his father and him to commute to school, allowed him to be closer with his father which inspired a number of pieces capturing their adventures including The Centaur. This goes to show that changes in one's life can be a great thing.
What I liked about John Updike’s interview was the advice he gave to young writers. He said that even though you have a busy life, always take out time to write. I interpreted this statement as even though we all live hectic lives filled with work and responsibilities, we should always take time out of our day to do something we enjoy. We can get so caught up in our schoolwork and monotonous routines that we give up or forget about our hobbies. When we lose sight of what we love to do and what is important to us, we lose creativity and our sense of passion. Everyone can benefit from doing something that makes them happy for at least an hour everyday. Another thing I liked about John Updike is when he said don’t complain when a publisher doesn’t publish your work. You should not be writing solely to get published. You should be writing because it is something you enjoy doing. Just because your work doesn’t get published doesn’t mean it is poorly written or not good enough. Never stop improving and never give up. On the other hand, keep up with your studies. Most of us will not be able to make a living doing the thing we love. I think that is a good thing to tell young people. It would be wrong to teach kids that they can do anything they want and be successful in life. A better lesson for kids would be to work hard in school but never lose sight of what you love.
When I was younger and given a writing assignment for school I always began by laying my ideas out in my head. What will draw my audience in? So I wracked my brain for the most interesting and unique idea I could find and began my piece. I found myself wondering is the writing good enough? And ultimately I decide that my unique topic will save me in the end. But as I have gotten older I feel as though Mr. Updike and I have a similar mind when it comes to writing, why not choose to write about something familiar? If you are to ask a person to write about their most significant accomplishments or what experiences have shaped their lives, most if not all would have trouble. When writing my Common Application essay, I for one struggles with this idea. Instead if choosing a life altering and ground breaking moment from my life, I chose to write about a daily occurrence in a school nurses office. We as humans choose to find fault in ourselves and we move throughout life searching for the big moment that defines us. But really if we take the time to slow down it will become apparent that thing small daily occurrences are the big things. John Updike understands this. His writing pays attention to the average person and what their life entails. His stories are not thrillers or mysteries, but rather a down to earth description of reality. In A&P, Updike depicts an unusual tale of the day in the life of a supermarket clerk. While this may seem random, the intention is clear and that is to get a grasp on what real life is. Updike's writing screams to explain that real life is a thriller in and of itself. He makes an unadventurous situation seem like the adventure of a lifetime. He does this through using language as the average person would speak it. This makes his writing easy to relate to. But really the most important message I took away from reading Updike's interview was that he believes that writing about what you know makes you able to understand the world around you. Taking what you see and putting it into your own words helps you better process life. But more importantly writing in this way will help to form a relationship with your audience with just words alone.
John Updike writes to get himself on paper, to find out more about who he is. I think writing is a satisfying way to express yourself. In grade school, I used to keep a journal that I would write my thoughts in everyday. Sometimes your thoughts don’t seem to make sense, but once you write them down, you are able to see them and process these thoughts more efficiently. You can look back at the things you wrote and see the transition of your life, your personality, and even your maturity. I have many thoughts during the day, a great deal of which are random thoughts that just seem to meander into my head. Writing allows these random thoughts that wander through my mind to escape and make room for more useful reflection. Updike also speaks of having a quota, a certain number of pages to write each day, or a routine you can’t run away from which saves you from giving up. This is equivalent to a high school student who has deadlines for his/her projects or homework assignments. I agree with John Updike because when there is no deadline, the task does not seem as important. Since there is no deadline, or quota, it is easier to just blow off the assignment until you feel as though you’re in the frame of mind to accomplish the task. Although not having a set deadline is nice, when there is one, it forces to you accomplish the responsibility because you just know that you have to. It is easy to give up when the work isn’t mandatory but when it is; it gives you that little push you need to succeed.
John Updike believed that writing helps the world feel more real to not only him, but also the reader. He meant that readers are able to experience others’ lives through different perspectives and aspects that are not available to them otherwise. Some readers, who maybe have many luxuries and riches in life, are able to enter the lives of those who have no luxuries and no riches. Updike believed that it is possible for a novel to increase a reader’s sympathy because of a person’s story that is unexplored and undesirable to him or her. Curiosity about what else exists in the world may be the underlying reason as to why so many continue to read and write books. Updike mentioned that books have the power to connect people to other people that we would never intend to meet nor learn about. This aspect of literature presented by Updike was very intriguing to me. I have made connections with characters in novels before, but have not thought about them as people that I would unexpectedly meet at a cocktail party. Updike compared the habit of writing to a bad marriage. His habit of writing perseveres with him until the end of a book. He said that he would be married to a book that he was writing and the only way to get rid of it would be to finish the book. His habit of writing prevailed during these situations and he would eventually finish the book even if he said he wanted to abandon it. Updike’s undeniable habit of writing was his way to work from start to finish, and to succeed during the journey.
When I first opened the link and read the first question I automatically had topics and things pop into my head since I only know what it’s like to have a sibling. I loved reading what it was like for him to grow up as an only child during the depression. There were two things that specifically stood out to me in his answer: “…I think one of the reasons that I never had any siblings was that it was economically pinched and my father didn’t feel entitled to invite any more people into the world” and the line, “ Actually, I had all this adult attention and whatever adult energy was there was focused on me.” They stood out to me because being born into a family with an older sibling is a blessing and a curse. There was always the point where I wanted to be an only child to get more attention from my parents, but I also was growing up with a friend because I had a sibling. There were also the many times that I wished I had a younger sibling to look after and someone to look up to me as I did to my sister. I relate to the line referring to why John Updike never had any other sibling especially well because when I asked my mom as a kid why they never had another child after me they said it wouldn’t be fair to that child since it was hard enough trying to give equal attention to two children and they wouldn’t be able to afford taking care of another child. There are still times today that I wish I had another sibling or where I wish I were an only child, but I’m happy with what I grew up with. I loved reading someone else’s point of view being raised in a family unlike my own.
When asked about his writing process, John inadvertently began to describe the excitement and exhilaration he experiences when he sees the transformation of his “scribbles” into “impeccable type.” In this section, Updike attempts to convey his feeling of euphoria as well as amazement in response to seeing his work published in its final form. Although trivial in its subject matter as compared to the rest of the interview, this specific section of information not only intrigued me, but connected with me. As John Updike tried to explain what pleases him most, I remembered the difficulty I had explaining why I love trial law, and why it is my passion. Updike writes in detail the specific aspects of his published works that appeal to him, including the aesthetic qualities of the book’s jacket and binding glue. However, no matter how hard he tries or how many descriptive adjectives he uses, John will never be able to truly recreate the happiness he feels inside the listener of his interview. While some may see this as unfortunate, I see it as amazing. It is great to know that we are all so individual that it would be impossible to make someone else see and feel exactly what you see and feel. No two men or women are alike. We all have different drives, motives, aspirations, but most importantly, we all have a different purpose. In answering the question, John also speaks about how he doesn’t know when it would be time to get off the proverbial horse. This speaks volumes about John as a writer. He truly has a passion for his work, so much so that he can’t imagine life without writing. It’s not a job to him, nor a source of income. Rather, it is a root of contentment and pleasure. John Updike’s vocation is his vacation. Now, some may read what I have just typed above, and think to themselves “How in the world did he get those thoughts from those two sentences,” and the honest answer would be “I don’t know.” Like I said in the beginning, we as individuals are so unique that it is impossible to show someone how your brain works in specific instances, or why you think how you think. And to me, that’s beautiful. Others may not get why I do what I do, but that is ok. We all contribute different values and assets to the world’s great life. We are unique. We are individualistic. We are inimitable.
From Updike’s point of view, writing fiction is “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.” He believes that fiction allowed him to be more creative, but not in an abstract sense. Similar to what we discussed in class, John Updike also states that he “writes what he knows.” It’s difficult for him to be creative when writing outside of his life, so he writes stories that are geographically in his own area and follow the theme of his own childhood and family struggles. I can agree that it’s easier to get into the “flow” when writing about your own experiences because after reading a novel written like this, it is easier to feel a connection the story, characters, and sometimes, the author. Even Updike mentions in the interview that reading and writing makes someone more human. Ordinary stories make us feel connected in social and emotional aspects; we read about ordinary characters and it’s like we are meeting a new friend for the first time. Updike often writes about his childhood and family struggles, which seems real to many of us. These loosely “based on” stories are what Americans can identify with, what we can recognize, and what seems true to us. While Updike has tried to stretch out of his comfort zone, he always finds himself going back to what is familiar to him. In my opinion, writing what you know can often get you far. Memories of our own experiences can help shape new, more realistic ones. Contradictory to the previous statement, however, I believe that it is important to extend our talents farther than our own experiences from time to time, allowing a writer to enhance his or her creativity.
John Updike's character and personality is seen in his short story, A&P. In an interview he was asked,"Did you see yourself becoming a fiction writer or a nonfiction writer?" And he responded, "My hope was to become a fiction writer. I was prepared to fail. I was prepared to not be able to get things accepted." His response struck out to me because John Updike took a chance. He gave himself five years even though he was not guaranteed a hundred percent success. He risked it and so did Sammy. In Updike's story A&P, Sammy tries to be the knight in shining army for a girl he has only seen a few times. He puts his future on the line and just goes for it. Sammy quits and realizes that his world will become harder. Updike went into writing fictional stories knowing that it would be hard to succeed because he knew that not everybody who tried to write actually got published but he took the chance and eventually made it. In A&P, the story stops after Sammy quits but we can only hope for a greater result for Sammy just like Updike's.
John Updike says in his interview that society can always have more laughter. He grew up reading humoristic books and even had the thought to be one himself. He finds amusing people to be something of value and if it’s in a light-hearted way, something that is much needed in everyday life. I agree with Updike. The world can easily be a stressful place with all the activities and jobs that must get done on a single day. People need an escape; a place to hide from the adversity for just a little while. As Updike sees it, books can be exactly what humanity needs. People love to laugh. There’s something biological about it that people can’t go without it. In some degree, it’s as vital as sleeping or even drinking water. That’s way there are thousands upon thousands of books, movies, shows, and acts that work in this genre. People make their living on pleasing others and excelling at getting giggle to a perfectly- timed joke. It’s a genre that is as old as writing itself. Even thousands of years ago, during early civilization, society viewed comedy as a needed aspect in life. Updike, like every other human, becomes a supporter of the genre by reading those humoristic books. He wanted to be a humoristic writer at one point, and perhaps that would’ve been a true testament to his writing ability if he did. As many authors and song writers often state, writing about funny and happy moments can often be hard to display and relate to others. The only problem with writing on comedy is that often jokes come from a spur of the moment. In order to get a reader to truly feel involved with a humoristic book and the jokes that fill the pages, the writer must first set the scene as descriptively as possible. Something that Updike certainly is capable of.
Mr. Updike was asked about, writing what he knew. He said that he stuck to that for most of his stories except maybe two or three. He said that he liked to talk of everything he knew, all of his middle class experiences and knowledge, but I feel differently. I think to make a great story you must step away from he average and the normal, and step into the world of creation. People love excitement and new creations, people are stuck in their everyday lives, and are constantly looking for an escape. That escape could be through literature. I do appreciate what Mr. Updike did by taking everyday events and breaking hem down and making them very sophisticated. In our world today we get especially stuck in routines, we repeat the same checklist over day in and day out, so I see why Updike takes all nose events and adds descriptions to them that make them unique in their own way. Personally when I read books I want to find something in the book that I can't find in my regular everyday life. I want to be able to read about an adventure or a conflict that I would never get to experience in my life. So to sum it up I would have to disagree with Mr. Udpike when it comes to writing about what you know and about what you're familiar with. Instead I feel that authors should write about the unknown to add a feeling of mystery and excitement to the readers mood.
The entire John Updike interview was very interesting and had many different ideas. I was especially impressed learning about John's childhood. He was raised with his grandparents and parents as an only child. I feel as though I can relate to him and his closeness with his grandparents. My grandparents do not live with me, however we are a lot closer than many. My mother's parents have always been some what of second parental figures. Whenever things are rough at home or stressful, I can always count on them to cheer me up. My grandmothers answer to everything is cookies and hug, my personal favorite. As an only child, John had a lot of free time. With my sister away at college I've been able to experience what it's like to be an only child. When John was alone he had a passion for reading. I have found myself becoming more attached and drawn to reading in my free time. Just as john's reading choices varied, mine have begun to change as well. As a child I was drawn to fictional novels where the hero rescued the damsel in distress, and unrealistic love stories. As I have aged I have learned to love books of all kind. I get lost in books and escape into my own world. Books are my escape from reality at times when I need a break from the rest of the world. I feel as though I can relate to John's life in various ways with our family relationships, and love for reading.
Public speaking has never been a strength of mine just like John Updike. Writing served as his outlet for his thoughts so that he could portray them more easily without the fear of stuttering. I agree with his statement that stuttering comes from fear- the fear of messing up, in my case. I also grew up around a talkative adult figure who did all of the talking for me. My mind races all throughout the day. I cannot talk nearly as fast as my mind works to get out all of my ideas. Because my voice does not project despite all of my efforts, I find a microphone just as helpful as Updike does if I ever need to make an announcement. Student council has provided great opportunities for me to hone my public speaking skills, yet I still manage to stutter most of the time. This situation does not encourage me to become a writer like Updike, but possibly contributes to my excessive desire to text rather than have a conversation on the phone. I hope to work on my ability to public speak more effectively throughout the years and improve just like Updike claims that he did. With practice, anything can improve. He said that writing can even improve as well if one writes an hour a day. I agree with that statement because results are always seen after hours of dedication and practice are put into training for a sport, so why should writing be any different? Instead of working the muscles in your body like athletes do during training, one would work the muscles in the brain while practicing writing in order to become a more effective writer.
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