Richard Ford Presentation

 On the evening of June 11^th and the morning of June 12^th Richard Ford provided a presentation at the Bayliss Library in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.  The Creative Endeavors Writers’ Group and creative writing students from Lake Superior State University was granted a special privilege of attending a private session with Ford on the morning of June 12^th.  Ford was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his literary work and one of his books is “Independence Day.”  He’s written 10 books during his writing career.  I purchased an anthology in which he served as editor. Many other authors provided the short stories for the anthology. 

Ford is a professor at Columbia University, which is a prestigious university.  Students and their families pay approximately $50,000 a year to attend so he encourages the students to not waste their money and consider their education of the utmost importance.   He teaches literature classes.  What is amazing is he was able to accomplish so much and he is plagued with dyslexia. 

Concerning his writing, editing is vital.  He considers whose opinions matter and his wife’s is vital concerning his literary work.   Once he is near completion, he reads his manuscript to his wife.  Concerning distractions, he is like a dog with a bone, he doesn’t let anything disturb him.  I wish I could say that.  My life definitely gets in the way of my writing.  Ford simplifies the concept of developing characters.  Characters are considered a convenience.  We are what we think we are, we are how others see us, and we are what we actually are.  He believes that people have interior lives.  Ford projects a “mirror image” when developing his characters. 

About finishing a book on time, he sets his own finish time.  One of his sayings “If you can say it, you can do it.” When asked about his talent he responded by saying “He just busted his ass.”  He works very hard at writing.  Ford needs to be vigorous, persistent; it’s a matter of belief.  He explained voice in his literary works.  He ensures that he uses the right attitude and tone.   Ford considers his audience and how they are going to perceive what he wrote. 

  Ford suggested a few literary works: “Crime and Punishment,” “Art of a Novel,” Emerson’s essay, Thoreau’s work, Falkner’s work, and “The Movie Goer” by Walker Percy.  

He concluded his presentation by saying “Literature confirms life.”  He weighs every word and sentence.  It is better to write for yourself and have no public than it is to have a public and no self.  Interesting.  Authorship authorizes everything.  He wants readership so he tries to appeal to the public.   It was thrilling to meet with such a profound writer who considers himself of average ability.