Ann Lamott makes appearance at Writers Symposium

“If people don’t want you to write about them, maybe they should behave better,” says Lamott.

By Jen Lebron

Journalism student, Point Loma Nazarene University

In an event co-sponsored by the San Diego SPJ chapter, author Anne Lamott spoke recently at Point Loma Nazarene University’s 12th annual Writer’s Symposium by the Sea.

Lamott spoke Feb. 21 to a full house in an interview format conducted by Dean Nelson, head of the PLNU journalism department, symposium coordinator and a former SPJ board member.

The 53-year-old author has inspired fans through her novels and non-fiction by writing about situations in an unconventional and sometimes controversial way.

“She deals with the pain and the muck and the contradictions of life and just tries to bear witness to it,” said Nelson.

Lamott’s work has dealt with issues such as single-motherhood, alcoholism, politics and Christianity.

“She pulls no punches,” said symposium attendee Laura Dvorak, who began reading Lamott’s work several months ago with “Bird by Bird.” “She is very truthful, she is very honest and I think that when you have that honesty and truthfulness in a story it is universal.”

Lamott has written six novels and four nonfiction books including “Operating Instructions,”  “Rosie” and “Traveling Mercies.” The stories she tells in each of her nonfiction works are extremely personal. Lamott said that the stories she writes about people are hers to tell even when they show others in a negative light.

“If people don’t want you to write about them, maybe they should behave better,” she said. “Every single thing that happens to you is yours.”

However, Lamott said that she never crosses the line when it comes to writing about her 17-year-old son, Sam. “I’ve kept a very fierce boundary,” she said. “When he was old enough … I could just check it out with him.”

One of the things Lamott has become famous for is her unique approach to discussing her Christian faith.

“I love the fact that it’s not churchy,” said Mike Platter, a pastor who came from Los Angeles to hear Lamott speak.

Lamott is the only writer who has been invited to make a second appearance at the writer’s symposium. The first time she came was nine years ago, and, according to Nelson, it was important for her to return.

“Since she was here, she started writing about faith in unconventional and interesting ways,” said Nelson. “When she was here before she, to my knowledge, hadn’t published anything having to do with her faith other than a few columns that said that she had a spiritual experience.”

Lamott regularly contributes to online magazine Salon.com with her online diary “Word by Word.” Lamott’s newest book of essays, “Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith,” is due out this month.