Author Dawnie Walton on her music-obsessed novel, ‘The Final Revival of Opal & Nev,' and liking whatever the hell she wants.
: There’s sex, drugs, and rock & roll, with larger-than-life characters and a politically charged plot that sticks in your brain like a provocative pop song. Speaking of which, Walton even put together, the range of which mirrors the amiable mutability of her dramatis personae.
Since 2013, when she was pursuing her M.F.A. at the venerable University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop, Walton had been conjuring up her protagonist, Opal Jewel, a freewheeling soul singer with a passion for revolutionary politics. From there, it was just a matter of filling in the backstory, mapping out Opal’s upbringing in Motown-era Detroit through her emergence as a free-spirited artist in early Seventies New York.
And then yes, number three was Betty Davis for sure. I wasn’t actually familiar with Betty Davis until after I started writing the book. But in my research I was learning more about her and she became more and more of an influence as I was writing the character. She didn’t have the most traditionally beautiful voice, and I think she even called herself, not a singer, but a vocalizer. I love that. You hear her screeching and yelping and making sounds that are just so wild and weird.
Today, with so many prominent Black artists getting recognition for being “eclectic,” do you think it’s easier to be into your thing and not get stigmatized for it?
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
Meet Rob Walton, Frontrunner to Win Bidding for Denver BroncosThe Broncos' new owner could be a Walmart special. Meet him here.
Baca lebih lajut »
I’m a professional baby namer: Rich parents pay me $10K to do it for themShe has always been obsessed with baby names and finally found her true calling when she established her bespoke “What’s In a Baby Name” business back in 2015.
Baca lebih lajut »
Kim Kardashian Says She Wants Kanye West to Be Happy with GF Chaney JonesKim Kardashian says she just wants Kanye to be happy, compliments his new GF, Chaney Jones.
Baca lebih lajut »
Kim Kardashian Just Hinted She Wants Kids with Pete DavidsonMeanwhile, Kourtney Kardashian says she wants two babies with fiancé Travis Barker.
Baca lebih lajut »
Donate Life Month: Teen who drowned saves lives after deathVictoria Arias wanted to save lives as a trauma surgeon. When she died, her parents made sure she could accomplish her dream.
Baca lebih lajut »