emeraldlightdonaldantrim

In this video, Donald Antrim talks about his upbringing, his past novels, and the short stories that he is working on now, as of 2013. He discusses how he is trying to find a form in his writing, but that the form lies within his head and is more of an emotional shape or construct that isn’t exactly definable. He is drawn to absurd and surreal scenarios that offer a shift of perspective in the world. He is interested in very immediate and personal stories that feel real and relatable to the reader. Antrim came from a line of teachers, and while he avoided it at first, he finds that it is incredibly rewarding and meaningful. He feels that it can lead to good things and good places. Antrim says that for the first time, there is an “artistic mandate,” and what he means by that is that there is a loose pressure and obligation to simply keep working. After watching this video, I learned more about Antrim’s perspectives on his writing, himself as a person, and what he hopes to accomplish through his role as a professor.