Having already right an excerpt from one of her works, I was not really looking forward to hearing Tayari Jones read. As I entered the Foster Auditorium my thoughts were solely focused on myself, and how proud I was that I could find this hidden spot inside the library. This feeling quickly faded as I noticed the large number of empty seats in the auditorium. I always feel bad for anyone who is presenting infront of any room that is not full. The perfect example is for weddings: I'd rather be in a small church thats filled than a large church that looks almost empty. This empathy was receded as soon Ms. Jones made the transition from Chapter 1 to Chapter 2 of her newly released novel. I found the story very boring and not relatable at all to me. Luckily, her Q and A was able to capture me in a way that her story didn't come close to.
I didn't find any of the things that she said very profound or even useful, but it was nice to see how someone who is successful works. The only problem I had with her writing process was that or not having a final story set for before she starts her project. I am not saying that one must blindly adhere to what they plan before they start writing, but there should be a defined overall arch for the story. But, if it works for her then more power to her.
One of the most interesting parts of the night had nothing to do with what was said in Foster Auditorium that night, but rather how her personality and writing style contrasted with that of Jo Ann Beard. It was amazing to me how two authors can vary so much while at the same time producing works that certain audiences find entertaining. While I do not fall into any of those camps of the entertained, knowing that I can write with any style and make it mine made the night worth while. Overall, I enjoyed the night because it was a unique experience; I'm just happy I don't have to do it again.
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