Read to Know Basis: Annell López
The author of I'll Give You a Reason is relinquishing her expectations.
Read to Know Basis is a weekly interview series with authors. It features debut authors and established writers talking about reading, writing, and of course snacks. This series is free to all. If you like what you read considering subscribing to support the work of Unstacked, and of course go out and buy the book!
Annell López is the winner of the Louise Meriwether First Book Prize and the author of the short story collection I'll Give You a Reason from the Feminist Press. A Peter Taylor Fellow at the Kenyon Review Writers Workshops, her work has also received support from Tin House and has appeared in Guernica, American Short Fiction, Michigan Quarterly Review, Brooklyn Rail, Refinery29 and elsewhere. López received her MFA from the University of New Orleans. She is working on a novel.
What are five words to describe your book?
Poignant, smart, hopeful, sad, humorous
What is the strangest thing you googled while researching/writing this book?
I love this question. I watched many bear-hunting videos, including videos on how to skin a bear. Very disturbing. I also did a lot of research on sex work in the Dominican Republic and how tourism, specifically from the US and Europe, fuels sex work. Also disturbing. I ended up not describing how to skin a bear or going into too much detail about sex tourism in my book. But I did gain a lot of insight. I also read a lot about group therapy and dating apps. These topics weren’t as relevant to the collection, but they will be more relevant to my novel, which expands on one of the stories in I'll Give You a Reason.
What are three books that are in conversation with your book?
If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
These collections, much like my own, deal with identity, love, loss, and hope.
Describe your ideal reader?
I don’t have an ideal reader. I’m learning to relinquish any expectations, you know? Once the work is out there, it no longer belongs to me. But I do love it when people are open to short stories. I love it when readers understand and appreciate that collections can be just as satisfying as novels.
What is a piece of writing advice that you’ve received that you think is really bad? What is a piece of writing advice that you think is really good?
Great question. “Write every single day” is somehow the best and worst advice I’ve received. The advice I would give to anyone is to read everything. Read widely. Read it all.
What is your favorite punctuation mark?
I’m a little noncommittal here. Lately, I love commas. They’re versatile. But who knows? I might just fall in love with question marks.
How do you manage your energy when so much of writing involves sitting at a computer?
Because I worked as a high school teacher, much of my writing took place while standing. I wrote so much of I'll Give You a Reason on a clipboard during lunch and dismissal duty. So much of it was written on my Google Docs app on my phone while pacing around, trying to make the most of every available minute. Looking back, I’m so grateful for that experience. I’ve kept some of those habits. I still walk and type on my phone, and sometimes, I record voice notes for myself as I go.
What are you reading right now? And what book are you desperate to read next?
I recently read The Topeka School. I wanted to see how Ben Lerner balanced multiple POVs and multiple timelines. It was a very enjoyable read. I’m still thinking about it. Currently, I’m finishing up Funny Story by Emily Henry. It’s my first time reading a contemporary romance. I’m learning so much. I can’t wait to read Alejandro Varela’s work. And of course, Victim by Andrew Boryga is on my list.
What book are you an evangelist for?
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies. Deesha Philyaw wrote a masterpiece.
Church Ladies is such a beautiful, urgent, cohesive and satisfying collection. Just delightful. Everyone should read it.
Who is your literary crush?
Wow. So many. Are we talking about looks? So many beautiful people. LOL. But on a serious note, Sarah Broom. The Yellow House took my breath away.
If you could not be a writer what would you do?
I think I would have pursued cooking or baking professionally. I love cooking. It makes me feel like an artist. I get to use my hands, get creative, and make beautiful things for others to enjoy. But also, I have to admit, I loved being in the classroom. When I’m not writing or reading or being concerned about my artistic ambitions, I love teaching. I’ve had some of the happiest days of my life surrounded by high schoolers. It is exhausting, though.
You’re invited to a literary potluck, what are you bringing?
A potluck is the one instance where cooking would stress me out. With that said, I’m bringing champagne. And whatever else I need to make champagne-based cocktails. Put me in charge of the bar! I promise I won’t disappoint.
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