By SUNSHINE OSELLA
Features Editor
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 1, 2011
Witty humor was brought to life through the words of writers Tobias Seamon and Dana Spiotta at The College of Saint Rose on Thursday, October 27. Frequency North is a visiting writers series, and this event kicked off the season with two charismatic writers. Daniel Nester, Associate Professor of English, organizes these events.
A good crowd showed up to hear the readings of Seamon and Spiotta on Thursday night. Seamon and Spiotta are fiction writers who write in a vivid, descriptive style.
Seamon, who read first, is the son of Saint Rose English faculty member Hollis Seamon. “Tobias Seamon, who actually attended Saint Rose, has a new book out, which follows The Magician’s Study, which made a big splash a couple years ago,” said Nester. Seamon’s new book is called The Emperor’s Toy Chest. Seamon lives in Albany and is a contributing writer for the online magazine, The Morning News.
“Seems like I always wanted to be a writer,” said Seamon. “I always loved reading and my mother is a writer so becoming a writer always seemed very natural to me.”
Seamon said that he is often inspired to write by other books, writers, movies or other artists. He said that he reads a lot of history and historical incidents often end up as part of his writing.
“It’s the truth that reality is stranger than fiction, so I get fascinated by historical incidents or details that seem too far-fetched to be real but really are how people truly lived, acted, dressed, etc.,” said Seamon.
Seamon said that a key to becoming a writer is reading. He said to read as much as possible and on any and all topics that are of interest even in the slightest.
“The same thing for actual writing; write as much as possible, every day if possible, on anything that crosses your mind even/especially if it seems crazy,” said Seamon. “Even if the story, poem, or journalistic article doesn’t end up being very good, it’s excellent preparation for when the good ideas or pieces come along. Writing is like any other endeavor, practice helps.”
Spiotta, who read second, is a passionate writer who has written three novels with a fourth to come out soon. She lives in Syracuse, where she teaches in the graduate creative writing program.
“Dana Spiotta has had an awesome run of critically acclaimed novels–Eat the Document is a favorite of many of the English faculty, and Stone Arabia, which is just out, has been getting all sorts of great press all over the country,” said Nester. “She writes about family, rock stars, and popular culture. I’m just thrilled to have this internationally acclaimed novelist come to Saint Rose.”
Spiotta said that she thought, at first, that she might want to write screenplays. “Later I fell in love with writing novels. In my twenties. I didn’t publish my first book until I was 34,” said Spiotta.
Spiotta said that when getting inspired to write, she usually starts with something she does not understand. Like a question of some kind. “I pay attention to what fascinates me, said Spiotta. “I’m an obsessive person, so I get gripped by things. I think the novels begin with a very intuitive attraction to something. I write to try and figure it out, but also I want to try and shake it.”
Spiotta said that she has lived in Upstate NY since 2002 and that she believes there are many interesting subjects for fiction here. She said, “I love the history, the odd juxtapositions. The eccentricity of Upstate is very liberating to me. Don’t think you have to live in Brooklyn to be a novelist.”
Spiotta said that she thinks the details are what is important. “Stick to details, and don’t be afraid of complexity. Big ideas some out of small details,” said Spiotta. “I think there are things about the world that you know and no one else knows. You should use your own specificity, your own odd way of seeing the world. Trust that you notice interesting things.”
Nester said, “[Frequency North] will be a super night of fictioneers, fictionists, fictionauts. Whatever you want to call them, they will be fiction-tastic!”
For more information about Seamon and Spiotta and their writing, visit their websites.
Tobias Seamon: www.tobiasseamon.com.
Dana Spiotta: www.danaspiotta.com.
