Interview with Author Lauren Morrow
12/17/17
12/17/17
1. How do you nourish your creativity?
I nourish my creativity by consuming different forms of art. Sometimes I'll see a play, film, or dance show, and by the end my mind is spinning with ideas. Living in New York City also provides a lot of fuel. You encounter so many unexpected people and situations on a given day. There’s always a story to tell.
2. What is the best advice you have ever been given as a writer?
The best advice I've been given as a writer is to write every day. I don’t always do it, but when I do have a stretch of weeks when I'm diligent and make the time, it pays off. Most of what I write will never be read by another human, but that isn’t necessarily the point. The more you write, the better you write.
3. If you could meet any literary character, who would it be and why?
There are so many great characters in Zadie Smith's novels, many of whom I’d love to spend time with. I really like Clara Bowden from White Teeth. She experiences such a full, unique life, with ups and downs that are relatable yet super specific. She faces struggles with religion and cultural identity early in life, but becomes quite confident as she ages, and seems to have a very open heart and mind. And amidst chaos, she always remains calm. I also adore that she names her daughter Irie (Jamaican patois for ‘okay, good, everything is cool’). I think Clara and I would have a great time together.
I nourish my creativity by consuming different forms of art. Sometimes I'll see a play, film, or dance show, and by the end my mind is spinning with ideas. Living in New York City also provides a lot of fuel. You encounter so many unexpected people and situations on a given day. There’s always a story to tell.
2. What is the best advice you have ever been given as a writer?
The best advice I've been given as a writer is to write every day. I don’t always do it, but when I do have a stretch of weeks when I'm diligent and make the time, it pays off. Most of what I write will never be read by another human, but that isn’t necessarily the point. The more you write, the better you write.
3. If you could meet any literary character, who would it be and why?
There are so many great characters in Zadie Smith's novels, many of whom I’d love to spend time with. I really like Clara Bowden from White Teeth. She experiences such a full, unique life, with ups and downs that are relatable yet super specific. She faces struggles with religion and cultural identity early in life, but becomes quite confident as she ages, and seems to have a very open heart and mind. And amidst chaos, she always remains calm. I also adore that she names her daughter Irie (Jamaican patois for ‘okay, good, everything is cool’). I think Clara and I would have a great time together.