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One Writer's Beginnings

eudora welty

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Now available as an audio CD, in Eudora Welty's own voice, or as a book.

Eudora Welty was born in 1909 in Jackson, Mississippi. In a "continuous thread of revelation" she sketches her autobiography and tells us how her family and her surroundings contributed to the shaping not only of her personality but of her writing. Homely and commonplace sights, sounds, and objects resonate with the emotions of recollection: the striking clocks, the Victrola, her orphaned father's coverless little book saved since boyhood, the tall mountains of the West Virginia back country that become a metaphor for her mother's sturdy independence, Eudora's earliest box camera that suspended a moment forever and taught her that every feeling awaits a gesture. She has recreated this vanished world with the same subtlety and insight that mark her fiction.

Even if Eudora Welty were not a major writer, her description of growing up in the South--of the interplay between black and white, between town and countryside, between dedicated schoolteachers and the public they taught--would he notable. That she is a splendid writer of fiction gives her own experience a family likeness to others in the generation of young Southerners that produced a literary renaissance. Until publication of this book, she had discouraged biographical investigations. It undoubtedly was not easy for this shy and reticent lady to undertake her own literary biography, to relive her own memories (painful as well as pleasant), to go through letters and photographs of her parents and grandparents. But we are in her debt, for the distillation of experience she offers us is a rare pleasure for her admirers, a treat to everyone who loves good writing and anyone who is interested in the seeds of creativity.

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1983
Literary awards
national book critics circle award, national book award finalist, 

This edition

Format
128 pages, Paperback
Published
July 21, 1998 by Harvard University Press
ISBN
9780674639270
ASIN
0674639278
Language
English

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About the author

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eudora welty

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Eudora Alice Welty was an award-winning American author who wrote short stories and novels about the American South. Her book The Optimist's Daughter won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973 and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, among numerous awards. She was the first living author to have her works published by the Library of America.

Welty was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and lived a significant portion of her life in the city's Belhaven neighborhood, where her home has been preserved. She was educated at the Mississippi State College for Women (now called Mississippi University for Women), the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Columbia Business School. While at Columbia University, where she was the captain of the women's polo team, Welty was a regular at Romany Marie's café in 1930.

During the 1930s, Welty worked as a photographer for the Works Progress Administration, a job that sent her all over the state of Mississippi photographing people from all economic and social classes. Collections of her photographs are One Time, One Place and Photographs.

Welty's true love was literature, not photography, and she soon devoted her energy to writing fiction. Her first short story, "Death of a Traveling Salesman," appeared in 1936. Her work attracted the attention of Katherine Anne Porter, who became a mentor to her and wrote the foreword to Welty's first collection of short stories, A Curtain of Green, in 1941. The book immediately established Welty as one of American literature's leading lights and featured the legendary and oft-anthologized stories "Why I Live at the P.O.," "Petrified Man," and "A Worn Path." Her novel, The Optimist's Daughter, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973.

In 1992, Welty was awarded the Rea Award for the Short Story for her lifetime contributions to the American short story, and was also a charter member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers, founded in 1987. In her later life, she lived near Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi, where, despite her fame, she was still a common sight among the people of her hometown.
Eudora Welty died of pneumonia in Jackson, Mississippi, at the age of 92, and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Jackson.

Excerpted and adopted from Wikipedia.

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Natsume-Fukizawa
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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These speeches that have been turned into print should be of great interest to writers as well as to those who have a deep love for Eudora Welty's writings, especially her short stories.

Just like Eudora, I was born in the South and attended a university in Wisconsin. However, she doesn't devote too much time to talking about her time there. Nevertheless, there was a great deal in these speeches that helped me to "locate" myself, a word she uses twice in interesting ways. She was born in 1909, so naturally, there were also differences between us. But as I read about the "feel" of her summer trips in the family car to visit her grandparents, it reminded me that some things seemingly never change.

Welty mentions, as being instrumental in her young reading life, a 10-volume set given to her as a child called Our Wonder World. I'm certain that I didn't own this set, but I firmly believe that I must have read some of it, or perhaps all of it, or at least something very similar, from the library. This is because so much of what she recalled was familiar to me.

It is always a pleasure to observe how a writer one "knows" interprets his or her past as they look back and discover the elements that have brought them to their current position.
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Seanateriyaki
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This little booklet functions as a chronicle of Eudora Welty's literary beginnings.

I really liked the way she divided her progress as a writer into distinct sections. It starts with "Listening," then progresses to "Learning to See," and finally concludes with "Finding a Voice."

Welty was born in 1909 and reached adulthood in the Twenties, which is a favorite time period of mine. So, I took great pleasure in reading about how her experiences growing up in Mississippi had an impact on her writing.

However, to be honest, the book itself didn't completely captivate me. If it weren't for the clever section headings, I might have simply read it as a series of sometimes-charming vignettes of her life in the early 20th century American South.

When it comes to an account of the integral role literature plays in an author's beginnings, I have a preference for Jeanette Winterson's Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal.

Nevertheless, the bottom line is that I liked this booklet enough to think that I should read some more of Eudora Welty's works.

I'm curious to see what else she has to offer and how her writing evolved over time. Maybe there are more hidden gems waiting for me to discover.

Who knows, perhaps the next book of hers that I read will have a more profound impact on me and truly capture my imagination.
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Sstainew
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This little book is truly a treasure trove, filled with numerous profound insights regarding writing and life in the deep south at the turn of the century.

It offers a detailed study and keen observation of what it was like to grow up in Jackson, Mississippi, before technology infiltrated every aspect of daily life.

It harks back to a time when things were perhaps simpler, quieter, and more conducive to introspection.

I am particularly enamored with how Eudora Welty divides this work into three parts, which were originally three distinct speeches.

The first part focuses on the art of listening, a skill that seems to be lacking in today's society.

People are so eager to hear themselves talk and express their opinions that they often forget to listen to others, which, in my opinion, can cause significant damage to relationships.

Ms. Welty shares how she grew up in a household where her family was immersed in books, and stories were read or told to the children. This is how she learned the importance of listening.

The second part delves into the ability to see objectively, which often requires having an unbiased eye.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that she was also a photographer, and she would often frame a picture to gain a better perspective, even when not taking a photograph.

The final chapter is by far the best, as it explores how she found her unique voice and how her parents played a crucial role in this process.

It is truly remarkable that several authors who have grown up in a sheltered environment have gone on to become great writers.

Think of Emily Dickinson, Marcel Proust, Jane Austen, and Ellen Glascow. It almost seems as if solitude is a necessary ingredient for writing well.

This book is not only insightful but also highly beneficial for wannabe writers.
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Mystic_Dreamer
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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If you've never heard Eudora Welty speak, well then my friend, you've never truly experienced the magic of her words.

I was fortunate enough to discover an audiobook copy of "One Writer's Beginnings" at the library. As someone who loves to hear authors read their own work or share their experiences, I was immediately drawn to this title.

The book delves into Welty's beginnings in the deep south, specifically in early 20th century Mississippi. The lectures, which she delivered to a Harvard audience later in her life, have a free-flowing feel, as if she is simply sharing her thoughts and memories with us.

Although they are mostly scripted, they come across as natural and unforced. The language is simple and easy to understand, yet it is also rich and evocative. At times, the lectures may seem to meander, but this only adds to their charm.

Overall, "One Writer's Beginnings" is an incredibly endearing and inspiring book. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and mind of one of America's greatest writers, and it will leave you with a newfound appreciation for her work.
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OtakuNamedMarc
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Eudora, I know you.

You are a remarkable individual with a unique charm and character.

Your presence always brings a certain warmth and energy to any situation.

I have noticed your kind heart and willingness to help others.

You are always there with a listening ear and a comforting word.

Your intelligence and creativity are also truly impressive.

You have a way of looking at things from different perspectives and coming up with innovative solutions.

Whether it's in your work, your hobbies, or your relationships, you always give your best.

I feel fortunate to know you and to have you in my life.

You are an inspiration to me and I look forward to seeing all the great things you will accomplish in the future.
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expo-_-marker
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I had the great pleasure of going to hear one of my all-time favorite artists in concert last year, none other than Mary Chapin Carpenter. During the concert, she engaged the audience by talking about her writing process and the people who had inspired her. One of those individuals was "Eudora Welty," the author of this remarkable book.


I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and listening to her reminiscences about life growing up in the early 1900s. It was truly a captivating experience. This book is a splendid little read by a Pulitzer Prize-winning fiction writer. It is filled with vivid descriptive details, taking the reader on a journey from her childhood to her emergence as a writer. The author's ability to bring the past to life through her words is truly remarkable. It makes you feel as if you are right there with her, experiencing the events and emotions firsthand.


Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates great literature and wants to gain insight into the life and mind of a talented writer. It is a testament to the power of words and the importance of preserving our memories and stories for future generations.

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Sheepdude
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This was not composed in the form of an autobiography. Instead, it was presented as 3 concise speeches delivered at Harvard University in 1983. However, when considered as a whole, they constitute what, in my view, every autobiography ought to be. It is a reminiscence of one's early youth and the impressions left during that time. It involves recollections of family and friends, and an acknowledgement of the factors that shaped the writer and the reasons behind it. There is no name-dropping, no revealing of sordid details, and no attempt to get back at those who have caused harm.

This slender volume, consisting of just 114 pages, provided me with all the essential knowledge I needed about Miss Welty and her world. It evoked a sense of nostalgia within me for times, places, and people that I have never known. It is an ideal book for enthusiasts of her gentle and humorous fiction and short stories.

The last paragraph is truly worth sharing.
"As you have witnessed, I am a writer who emerged from a sheltered life. A sheltered life can also be a life of great daring. For all genuine acts of courage originate from within."
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xcwm
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Fair warning for anyone who is primarily interested in Welty's perspective on writing and development as a writer.

The vast majority of that content is in the final third of the book. This means that if you are eager to dive straight into her thoughts and insights about the craft of writing, you will have to be patient and wait until you reach that section.

However, don't let this deter you from reading the entire book. It tells the story of Welty's childhood and coming of age, written with vivid description and deft narrative technique.

This is my first book by Welty, and I am now more likely to seek out her other work. It truly demonstrates that she can write!

The third reason someone might want to read this book in particular is that the technology of the time, the food, the household furnishings, and the school experience are thoroughly described.

This memoir is a bit of a time capsule, allowing readers to step back in time and experience life as it was during Welty's formative years.

The book is slow paced, which some may find off-putting. On the other hand, it is short and full of gems of language and style.

So, if you are willing to take your time and savor the details, this book is well worth reading.
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