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Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 1083
Registered: 03-2004
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 04:42 pm: | 
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Renowned author speaks of her life, career
UCD community inspired by Butler's novels, passion
By STEPHANIE ZOU / Aggie News Writer
Posted 03/04/2005
Joanna Tung/Aggie
Award-winning science fiction author Octavia Butler signs her autograph during her book signing in the Memorial Union on Wednesday.
There was only standing room left in MU II in the Memorial Union on Wednesday as renowned science fiction writer Octavia Butler spoke of her experience as an African American author.
The event, sponsored by various organizations, including the Women's Center and the African American and African studies department, was an opportunity for the UC Davis community to meet an author who stands alone in her genre.
Butler has written 12 science fiction novels, many of which have won awards, such as Nebula and Hugo awards. Her latest novel, Fledgling, talks about genetically engineered vampires and will be in stores in November.
Her novels combine science fiction, mysticism, mythology and African-American spiritualism in works that often portray strong, intelligent female African Americans as heroes, according to the Women's Center librarian Joy Fergoda, who invited Butler.
"Her writing stretches the limits of possibilities in the way we live on Earth," said John Ortiz-Hutson, AAS Student Affairs coordinator. "It stretches the imagination and causes one to think critically about the human race."
Following a book signing, Butler began her talk, recollecting the many obstacles she has endured to become an author. She spoke of the difficult path to her success, a path often filled with rejection from publishers.
She addressed the common question of how long it takes to write a novel by saying "it takes as long as you have been alive and then some."
Butler said writers need to use their lives as sources of inspiration in their novels.
"Things that don't kill you might not make you stronger, but you can use it," she said.
Butler recalled many of her life experiences, including the numerous jobs she held to pay her bills and the insecurities she had as a writer in her earlier years, which she has used to shape the characters in her novels.
Although her life has influenced the characters in her novels, Butler said every book she has written has changed her and forced her to learn something new.
As a college student at Pasadena City College and California State University, Los Angeles, Butler said she never had a chance to talk to writers.
"I realize how hungry young writers are," she said. "I want to give them encouragement, for it can be a lonely profession."
Junior Tezeta Stewartz, who attended the event, said she is inspired by Butler's writing style and hopes that by hearing the author speak, it will improve her own writing.
"Her novels are not just stories of science fiction," she said. "It has foundation and reality."
As for senior Denise Nelson, she said the event was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"She was simply brilliant and inspirational," Nelson said, as she rose in a standing ovation with the rest of the attendees at the end of Butler's talk.
All of Butler's novels are available to be checked out at the Women's Center.
STEPHANIE ZOU can be reached at campus@californiaaggie.com.
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