The Pen/Hemingway Award winning novelist, NoViolet Bulawayo, met with students at the Efroymson Center of Creative Writing on her recent visit to Butler University. Many students took advantage of the opportunity to ask the Stanford professor questions about her novel, We Need New Names, her writing process, and her motivation for writing.
At times humorous and entertaining, NoViolet was always insightful and encouraging. She shared her experience and wisdom as a new writer, explaining the long process of rethinking and revising her novel. We Need New Names originated in her MFA workshop as short story with a different point view. She encouraged Butler writing students to build a supportive community and to write from a personal space of honesty.
“Take care of yourself so you can be open to hear the criticism your work needs,” she said after describing the many drafts and changes she made to create a successful novel.
To her, writing is joining a conversation about something personally important. She said, “Writing from the bone, the intersection between what you are creating and your own life… means I was able to retain some truth that was important and honest.”
After answering questions, NoViolet took the time to sign books and pose with fans.
