I’m the Author of Roxanne Gay and This Is How I Work
Roxanne Gay has published five books in the past seven years, all of which have gained acclaim, and all of them insightfully address the social issues that define our society, such as feminism, race, body image, racial and sexual violence, and the experience of immigrants. Three – her collection of essays The Bad Feminist , the collection of short stories Difficult Women, and her memoir The Hunger – have become national bestsellers.
She is also a regular contributor to the New York Times , assistant professor of English at Purdue University, and recently co-wrote the Black Panther spin-off World of Wakanda for Marvel Comics. Her works have appeared in dozens of publications . We asked her how she is supporting such an intense and rewarding career.
Location: Lafayette, Indiana and Los Angeles, California. Current position: Assistant Professor at Purdue, writer and critic. One word that best describes how you work: Always up to date mobile device: iPhone 8 and LiePhone X Current computer: Macbook Air, Macbook, Macbook Pro, iMac (I use all 4 the same way, at home in one place, on the road or on work)
First of all, tell us a little about your past and how you got where you are now.
I am a writer and teacher. I achieved this through a lot of hard work, some luck, tough ambition, the ability to endure many rejections, blah blah blah blah. I also went to school for a long time.
Tell us about a recent work day.
It really depends on the circumstances. On school days, I spend the morning preparing for the lesson, printing out any handouts I need, check my email on campus, spend hours of work, give grades, and then I teach, usually a three-hour seminar, and then I go on business and get to write on evenings. On non-study days, it depends on whether I’m traveling, planning an event, or free to sit down and read or write a little. I don’t really have a schedule or a routine. I do what I can when I can.
What apps, gadgets or tools can’t you live without?
I can’t live without my phone, Gmail, Word, Google Docs, and Dropbox.
How is your workplace arranged?
I have many different jobs. I write most of my time from the couch, but in each of my homes, I also have an office with a desk, printer, space for my laptop or work desk, lots of bookshelves, an accessory rack system and the like, and a chair. It’s not super interesting.
What’s your best time-saving shortcut or life hack?
I haven’t found one yet.
How do you keep track of what you need to do?
I use Google Spreadsheet for all of my outstanding writing work. My calendar is also an essential tool for getting things done.
What are some of the things you do best in everyday life? What’s your secret?
I am very good at meeting deadlines. My secret is that I do too much projects because of my complete inability to say no.
How do you replenish? What do you do when you want to forget about work?
I do not know. I need to sort this out as soon as possible.
What’s your favorite side project?
My favorite side project is the new comics project I’m working on.
What are you reading now or what do you recommend?
I recommend two books – Stephen Florida Gabe Habash and Theresa Milehot’s Heart Berries .
Fill in the blank: I would like _________ to answer these same questions.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Every time I share this, I feel embarrassed because the advice is so simple and seems trivial, but it wasn’t trivial, and I am not offering it trivially here. When I entered the academic job market, worried about interviewing on campus, my friend Matt Seigel advised me to just be myself, because otherwise, if I were hired as the person I was pretending to be, I would have to maintain this pretense. for the rest of my career. He was absolutely right when he said that I was for the better and for the worse.
What else would you like to add that might be of interest to readers and fans?
I play competitive scrabble.