Short story author Grace Paley reads and answers questions

Grace Paley (1922-2007), a short story writer, poet and activist, was New York's first official state author and later poet laureate of Vermont. Paley's "Collected Stories" (1994) was a finalist for both the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. This rare edition of HoCoPoLitSo's The Writing Life was videotaped at Howard Community College, October 1988. The feisty author reads from her short story "Wants" and takes questions from Howard County high school students. Paley discusses the importance of "moving through the generations" for ideas and learning "how to tell the truth in writing." Her work emphasizes the importance of the women's lives, she explains, and her work is "fed by the works of other writers" she admires. Paley ends the program by reading two poems, "For My Son (Danny)" and "People In My Family," from A Peace Calendar for 1989.
For more information about "The Writing Life" and HoCoPoLitSo (the Howard County Poetry and Literature Society), visit www.hocopolitso.org.

[@grudgerun]

Those kids asking the questions are strikingly poised and thoughtful for their age.

[@alfogel3298]

In my top 10 short stories of all time.
If you want to write short stories. Study and analyze this one. A masterpiece.
Al

[@paulwarren3106]

What are the other nine?

[@BUKCOLLECTOR]

@@paulwarren3106 :
Donald Barthelemine “ city of churches”
Charles Bukowski “ the most beautiful woman in town”
Charles Bukowski “ the blanket”
Charles Bukowski “ the birth life and death of an underground newspaper”
Charles Bukowski “ Would You Suggest
Writing As A Career”
Charles Bukowski “ kid stardust on the porterhouse”
David Antin “ definitions for mendy”
Roger L Peters “emergency exit”
Russell Edson “ the childhood of an equestrian”
Hope you read some.
All love from Miami Beach , Florida,
Al

[@felinefokus]

She is truly special I enjoyed viewing and learning of her today for the 1st time 🥰

[@hocopolitso]

Hi Ayesha Karim,
I agree -- Ms. Paley does defy all stereotypes -- she does not fit in a box! I'm so glad she inspired you, and that your writing has been influenced by her work and our programs. We have lots of shows with poets and novelists, as well as short story writers. Make sure to try the show with Edith Pearlman, a writer who believes the short story is the perfect form. Keep writing!

[@ThomasPinching]

this is a great video, thanks for posting it

[@nanannyse]

Thank you for posting this video. I am sitting here wondering if Grace Paley was the inspiration for the character Ruth Zardo nee Kemp in Lousie Penny's recent literary cozy mysteries.
I love the Ruth Zardo character as I do Grace.
Thank you again for sharing this, it made me smile.
Nan

[@marlenemolina6170]

great!

[@prasantbanerjee8199]

Unlike modern writers seething with self-critical angst at their own works as they read them in public, this great author clearly enjoys reading out from her work.

[@aydeletteisgar9244]

Fantastic

[@donnerbrandpears]

Is she wearing a nightgown?

[@lillianblessing]

No. she is not. Once upon a time, the dress style was fashionable.. I should know, : )

[@marisamorenomartinez]

Yes. Laura Ashley style