An Interview with Antonya Nelson

• DOI: 10.1353/mis.2000.0035
• Publication Date: 2012-02-22T23:11:47Z
• Authors: Antonya Nelson; Jennifer Levasseur; Kevin Rabalais
• Keywords: Affection; Jargon; Girl; Wife; nobody; Antipathy; Banquet

AN INTERVIEW WITH ANTONYA NELSON Antonya Nelson is the author of three short story-collections, The Expendables (a Flannery O'Connor Award winner), In Land ofMen and Family Terrorists. Her first novel, Talking in Bed, won Chicago Tribune's Heartland for fiction was a New York Times Notable Book Year, as her second Nobody's Girl. Living to Tell, most recent published 2000. Ms. teaches creative writing at University Mexico Warren Wilson MFA program. She divides time between Las Cruces, Mexico, Telluride, Colorado, with husband, writer Robert Boswell, their two children. Jennifer Levasseur Kevin Rabalais interviewed on February 12, An Interview Nelson/Jennifer Interviewen You've been called master domestic drama because your work focuses problems anchored family: adultery , illness, anxiety. Why have you, throughout career, tended explore family situations? Nelson: Most what one feels compelled write stems from deep emotional uncertainty. my life, case many people I know, uncertain things are relationships those I'm close to. members small nuclear unit, well larger toward whom great deal affection, there others tremendous antipathy. It's typical situations be forced into contact repeatedly you don't particularly like. You out future social abilities based learn when young. For me, these always familial. not entirely sure why about family, but do know that it hasn't stopped interesting me. meet leave other different stages evolution, whereas made up who constant links over course complete curriculum vitae heads. Interviewer: How this related our main battleground, you've it? People question subject matter young workshop writers often families homes. This where they've experienced conflict. American kids aren't being recruited guerrilla armies age thirteen. some countries, exists elsewhere, outside house. America, trouble seems come within household. Missouri Review · 67 way upon defend specific level—as woman writer, instance? There plenty men asked explain do, there's implicit suggestion novels or stories tackle political societal more serious. necessarily treatment characters works masculine one. just terrain home considered important. think is. Interviewer. Much written third person. Of first-person stories, told male point view. Even person, feel time, narrator first-person-male state confusion his relationship woman. inhabiting third-person view man doesn't seem me strikingly difficult. occasionally say, "That must quite challenge, gender's view." challenges class age. Empathy complicated aspects common character; it's impossible someone who's like ways...