Comments on: NY Times: Writers Like Me http://naysue.wordpress.com/2007/07/02/writers-like-me/ (and other things that distract one from reading) Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:42:15 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Submariner http://naysue.wordpress.com/2007/07/02/writers-like-me/#comment-99 Submariner Sun, 08 Jul 2007 16:57:42 +0000 http://naysue.wordpress.com/2007/07/02/writers-like-me/#comment-99 I've actually read and enjoyed Martha Southgate's The Fall of Rome. But her essay reads more like a lament than a clarion call for young black writers to embrace rugged individualism and vigorously pursue the artist's life. She and Packer neglect to mention the networks that writers of color have forged among themselves to nurture their talents. I'm always reading a post by Mat Johnson hailing some new talent or book and announcing an upcoming workshop. Your post likewise introduces folks who reside in the lower frequencies. The mainstream may marginalize us to an extent but I also feel that black writers are more confident and have never been more prolific. Maybe we don't have a black version of Jonathan Franzen but Zaidi Smithis pretty darn close. I'm currently reading Man Gone Down by Michael Thomas and I can tell you that this brother is the real thing. Most writers, colored and white, are not heralded. Great works and writers are sometimes beyond our early reckoning but I have no doubt that they will be acknowledged if they strike a chord. That approval doesn't necessarily take the form of a famous literary prize or membership in a prestigous arts society. It can sometimes simply be a father passing on a favorite dog-eared novel with notes in the margin to his daughter. I’ve actually read and enjoyed Martha Southgate’s The Fall of Rome. But her essay reads more like a lament than a clarion call for young black writers to embrace rugged individualism and vigorously pursue the artist’s life.

She and Packer neglect to mention the networks that writers of color have forged among themselves to nurture their talents. I’m always reading a post by Mat Johnson hailing some new talent or book and announcing an upcoming workshop. Your post likewise introduces folks who reside in the lower frequencies.

The mainstream may marginalize us to an extent but I also feel that black writers are more confident and have never been more prolific. Maybe we don’t have a black version of Jonathan Franzen but Zaidi Smithis pretty darn close. I’m currently reading Man Gone Down by Michael Thomas and I can tell you that this brother is the real thing.

Most writers, colored and white, are not heralded. Great works and writers are sometimes beyond our early reckoning but I have no doubt that they will be acknowledged if they strike a chord. That approval doesn’t necessarily take the form of a famous literary prize or membership in a prestigous arts society. It can sometimes simply be a father passing on a favorite dog-eared novel with notes in the margin to his daughter.

]]> By: Leslie http://naysue.wordpress.com/2007/07/02/writers-like-me/#comment-84 Leslie Wed, 04 Jul 2007 04:34:57 +0000 http://naysue.wordpress.com/2007/07/02/writers-like-me/#comment-84 Hey I'll move to Texas and feed ya as long as i get to read all your rough drafts lol Can't beat that~ Hey I’ll move to Texas and feed ya as long as i get to read all your rough drafts lol Can’t beat that~

]]> By: naysue http://naysue.wordpress.com/2007/07/02/writers-like-me/#comment-74 naysue Tue, 03 Jul 2007 15:15:22 +0000 http://naysue.wordpress.com/2007/07/02/writers-like-me/#comment-74 iyan and egusi soup - Thank you for your comments. I know you more than anybody else realizes what it is like to pursue this writing dream, huh? Thank you, anonymous. I'll try to keep it classy (not ashy). iyan and egusi soup – Thank you for your comments. I know you more than anybody else realizes what it is like to pursue this writing dream, huh?

Thank you, anonymous. I’ll try to keep it classy (not ashy).

]]> By: Anonymous http://naysue.wordpress.com/2007/07/02/writers-like-me/#comment-71 Anonymous Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:23:41 +0000 http://naysue.wordpress.com/2007/07/02/writers-like-me/#comment-71 Trenee, The name of the game is lightworks. Keep doin' your thing. Trenee,

The name of the game is lightworks. Keep doin’ your thing.

]]> By: iyan and egusi soup http://naysue.wordpress.com/2007/07/02/writers-like-me/#comment-70 iyan and egusi soup Mon, 02 Jul 2007 22:26:02 +0000 http://naysue.wordpress.com/2007/07/02/writers-like-me/#comment-70 trenee, kudos on the decision to pursue your writing dream, no matter the circumstances. i love that you surround yourself with the eyes of those whose paths you've admired. and more than likely, your fears (being broke or labeled crazy) won't materialize. trenee, kudos on the decision to pursue your writing dream, no matter the circumstances. i love that you surround yourself with the eyes of those whose paths you’ve admired. and more than likely, your fears (being broke or labeled crazy) won’t materialize.

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