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Steven Sherrill, born in
Morresville, North Carolina, is Assistant Professor of English and
Integrative Arts at Penn State Altoona. His first novel,
The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break has been translated into
eight languages. His second novel,
Visits from the Drowned Girl, was published by Random House in
June 2004.
Southern Literary Review’s Editor, J.C. Robertson, talked with Steven
Sherrill on January 12, 2005. Sherrill had just returned to Penn State
after a three week visit to the
MacDowell
Institute where he put the finishing touches on his new novel,
Mocksville Lights.
SLR: Hi Steve. Congratulations on finishing your third novel. I
can’t wait to ask you a few questions about it, but first things first.
For those who don’t know, you were born and raised in North Carolina and
your novels have been set in the South. Walker Percy did not want to be
called a southern writer, for fear of being labeled, or boxed into some
sort of false expectations? You've been called a "southern writer”. Do
you think of yourself as a southern writer? Do you mind the label?
Sherrill: I am a southern writer. I find no limitations at all from the
label. I’ve just completed my third novel and once again it's set in a
trailer park in the South. I think I’m finished with that southern
setting for a while. My writing may move out of the South, but I don’t
mind being called a southern writer. I'm honored.
SLR: Now that you’ve admit to being a southern writer, how would
you define a southern writer?
Sherrill: That’s tough. It’s hard to define. I think it has to do
with aesthetic sensibility that are recognizable, but hard to pin down.
You know it when you read it.
SLR: What authors had the greatest influence on you?
Sherrill:
Mark Twain,
Tom Robbins,
Kurt Vonnegut. I loved bold language and feeling like I was reading
something I wasn’t suppose to read.
SLR: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Sherrill: I was always writing on and off.
SLR: As I understand you were actually admitted to the
Iowa Writer’s Workshop Poetry Program, correct? Not their fiction.
Sherrill: Yes, but poetry is a tremendous help when writing a novel. A
well-trained ear for the pacing and word choice—there’s no better
practice for that than writing poetry.
SLR: Any favorite poets?
Sherrill: Hmm.
Anne Carson. Her poetry is breathtakingly brilliant. I like
Anne Sexton too.
SLR: Now let’s talk about this welding degree you earned? Why did
you go to welding school?
Sherrill: I had no plan. I didn’t really know what to do. I dropped
out of community college. Never did homework, so I never got good
grades. Not particularly scholarly. I liked working with my hands, so I
went to welding school. I enjoyed it, but it was really hard work. I
never actually became a professional welder. I ended up cooking in
restaurants and even thought about becoming a chef. I still love to
cook.
SLR: While you were a welder, what was it that made you finally
decided to apply at the Iowa’s Writer’s Institute?
Sherrill: While going to welding school, I joined a Creative Writing
Club and wrote a poem called Birth of a Birthmark. It was published in
a local paper and that was very gratifying to me.
SLR: Was the poem published anywhere else?
Sherrill: No, it wasn’t that good. But it was gratifying and encouraged
me to keep writing.
SLR: Your first novel,
Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break has been translated into eight
languages. Do you find your audiences in other countries to grasp your
humor in the same way as Americans?
Sherrill: That’s a good question. I really don’t know. I wish I did,
but I haven’t had any way of finding out. I’ve often wondered how my
work is perceived without knowledge of the American South—hopefully,
apparently, it still has something to offer.
SLR: Some say that your second novel,
Visits from the Drowned Girl,
makes a statement on voyeurism. Would you agree? If so, what is it you
are trying to say? If not, what is it that compelled you to write this
story?
Sherrill: It is about voyeurism and responsibility. Everyone has
voyeuristic inclination, how it comes through in one’s actions is where
things get interesting. There is always a line and I wanted to explore
what happens when someone crosses that line. Benny Poteat certainly
crosses that line.
SLR: In
Visits from the Drowned Girl,
Benny has a secret? Did you plan for him to hold on to this secret, or
did revealing the secret come as a bit of a surprise to you?
Sherrill: I was not convinced in the beginning that he would tell his
secret. I only knew that he would be mean. As the story progressed, it
became clear for me. The only thing about Benny that was clear to me
from the beginning is that I wanted him to be mean and hateful. To
cross that line in the meanest most hateful way.
SLR: And he does! He’s really mean and hateful!
Sherrill: Yes he is.
SLR: As I’ve mentioned, you’ve just finished your third novel, can
you tell us anything about it?
Sherrill: Sure. It’s called Mockville Lights and
as I said, it’s set in the south, in a trailer park. Loosely parallels
stories of the Bible. Bible stories in the contemporary south.
SLR: Bible Stories set in a modern day southern town’s trailer
park?
Sherrill: Yes. It’s humorous; at least I hope it’s humorous. The main
character’s name is DooDoo Beget and his son who left many years
earlier, Sunny Red Beget, has finally returned.
SLR: Like the Prodigal Son?
Sherrill: Yes, as in the parable of the prodigal son.
SLR: Sounds like you! And nothing I’ve ever read. Should be
interesting! What are you reading right now?
Sherrill: I can’t read fiction while writing it. I read biographies. I
just finished Mockville Lights this weekend, so I’ve been reading
different artist biographies. I’m reading about the history of color
right now.
SLR: That’s right, you paint don’t you?
Sherrill: I do. Like I said, I like to work with my hands. But now I
prefer painting over welding.
SLR: So, what’s next?
Sherrill: Keep writing,--keep teaching writing. I write best when I’m
teaching and I really think my students benefit the most when I’m
writing.
SLR: Thanks so much Steve, for taking the time to talk with me.
Good to hear you’re doing so well.
Sherrill: My pleasure.
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