The Critic and Her Publics Christine Smallwood: "Why Do You Do It This Way?"
Jul 9, 2024
Christine Smallwood, an accomplished author and core faculty member at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research, shares her compelling journey from academia to fiction writing. She reflects on the challenges of transitioning from a PhD to creative writing, discussing the impact of personal experience on her work. The conversation dives into the joys of engaging with George Eliot’s 'Middlemarch,' emphasizing narrative development and personal connection. Smallwood also tackles the intricacies of literary critique, advocating for more interactive, conversational approaches to literature.
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Early Career
- Christine Smallwood's early writing career began at her college humor magazine, Spike.
- She later worked at the Philadelphia Independent, where an editor's aggressive markup taught her journalistic writing.
The Nation and Graduate School
- After the Philadelphia Independent, Smallwood interned and later worked at The Nation.
- Editing book reviews there, written mostly by professors, inspired her to pursue a PhD.
Value of Editing
- Working as an editor is invaluable for writers.
- It teaches humility, reduces preciousness about one's prose, and provides understanding of the editorial process.
