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Monday, October 28, 2013

WRITERS, WHAT'S YOUR PRISON?

me &  Sherman Alexie in Las Vegas (2012 NCTE)
Earlier this month I read an article in The Atlantic entitled "The Poem that Made Sherman Alexie Want to 'Drop Everything and Be a  Poet.'" It's part of as series in which authors share works of literature that meant a lot to them. 

 It reminds me of Robert Pinsky's Favorite Poem Project, of which I have long been a fan, and after which we model our own My Favorite Poem event here in Birmingham every year.

 Alexie reveals the poem and talks about his literary life, and he also says something that really resonates with me (and apparently with the editors of The Atlantic, because they use the quote as a pull-out):

 "I think every writer stands in the doorway of their prison. Half in, half out. "  - Sherman Alexie

 Alexie's prison is his culture, his upbringing. 

 I know what mine is.

 What's yours?
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4 comments:

  1. Linda BOctober 28, 2013 at 9:05 AM

    Interesting to think about, Irene. Maybe the fear of being 'wrong', although in my teaching, I tried hard to empower students to try anything, to see what happened. Guess I should take my own advice! How wonderful you got to meet Alexie!

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  2. Patricia J. WeaverOctober 28, 2013 at 8:17 PM

    My prison...time, lack of, allotted time for family, friends, job, other things I love and ... my lack of putting my butt in a chair.

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  3. Author AmokOctober 30, 2013 at 12:32 PM

    This is a great question, Irene. I don't know that I'd call it a prison, but balancing work and family is certainly my greatest challenge. That balance can feel like standing in a doorway, afraid to go out and leave others behind, but also not wanting to go inside and "forget" the world beyond the home.

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  4. RuthOctober 31, 2013 at 4:04 PM

    The editor in my head, and yes, time.

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Your thoughts?