Women on the Edge – Interview with Cynthia Rogerson What is it about “being on the edge” geographically, socially, emotionally that drew you to the event? Actually, it was more a case of reacting with enthusiasm to an invitation. I like the broadness of the theme, and I’ve always like the word EDGE. It implies […]
February 26, 2015What is it about “being on the edge” geographically, socially, emotionally that drew you to the event?
Actually, it was more a case of reacting with enthusiasm to an invitation. I like the broadness of the theme, and I’ve always like the word EDGE. It implies so many things, and the word itself sounds like some of the meanings. Tense, ragged.
How do you feel about Women’s Day in general? How have you experienced it throughout your personal/professional life?
I have never noticed or observed Women’s Day. I don’t know why.
Who are your favourite writers – female or otherwise?
Anne Tyler and Carson MacCullers and Eudora Welty. In the UK, Laura Hird, Alison Kennedy, Bernard MacLaverty and Michel Faber.
Was there an international writer who you feel influenced your writing? And/or was there an international female writer who you feel influenced your writing?
Anne Tyler and Carson MacCullers
What was the first book you ever read (were read to)? And/or what was the first book by a woman you remember reading/having read to you?
I have no idea! By 13, however, I was reading Doris Lessing and Hemingway and Steinbeck and DH Lawrence. Very hot! Probably the Nancy Drew series were the first books by a woman I adored. Oh, was Carolyn Keene a woman, or a man’s pen name?
How do you feel about campaigns like “ReadWomen” that encourage people to read more books by women?
I am ambivalent, as I think the quality of the book is main point. However, I do resent the way publishers tend to convey books written by women, as women’s books – in the way the cover appears and they way they are marketed. If “Nora Webster” by Colm Tóibín was written by a Caroline Tóibín, you can bet it would not be getting the serious reviews it’s getting, and the cover would be pink.
Do you feel a responsibility as a successful woman to mentor other, younger, less experienced women?
Yes.
How do you feel about being called a “woman writer”?
I don’t care.
How do you feel about feminism? Would you feel uncomfortable about branding yourself a feminist?
I think the word is used for a dangerously wide range of purposes, and therefore I don’t feel comfortable with it any more. We need to watch we don’t become the very thing we fought against – sexists.
What do you hope for the development of women in the literary world within the next 20 years?
I hope for great works of genius from both genders and all ages and races.
Does gender influence your decision-making when choosing to consume art of of other media, like film, painting, etc? (For example, does the fact that “50 Shades of Grey” was directed by a woman change how you feel about it?)
I tend to prefer female authors and directors, etc. Not because they are better, but probably because I have more in common with them.
What are you most looking forward to with regard to the event?
To meet some interesting, intelligent women, and learn something new through some rousing discussions.
Prizewinning author Cynthia Rogerson writes mainstream literary fiction, set inScotland and California. She is the author of four novels and one collection of short stories. Her stories have also appeared in numerous anthologies, been broadcast on BBC radio, and been translated into five languages.
She won the V.S.Pritchett Prize in 2007, and her work was short-listed for Best Scottish Novel 2011, and serialised on Women’s Hour.
She is Program Director at Moniack Mhor, an Arvon writers’ centre, as well as a manuscript assessor for The Literary Consultancy and Hi Arts. Originally from San Francisco, she has been based in the Scottish Highlands since 1985 and lives with her husband and hens near Inverness.
You can find out more about Cynthia on her website and read her tweets at @cynthiarogerson.
Leading up to next week’s International Women’s Day event
“Women on the Edge”, Christina from the Edinburgh office of Scottish PEN conducted email interviews with some of the participating Scottish PEN members. You can get in touch with her at christina@scottishpen.org