“You have to understand your own particular journey — and what you need as a writer, and who you are, and what you want out of the publishing process — because that’s what is going to help you make decisions.” – Sophfronia Scott
In this episode of Deviate, Rolf speaks with Sophfronia Scott about her working-class Ohio upbringing, and the background behind her name (2:40); her beginnings at TIME Magazine and her groundbreaking article on Generation X (13:00); her mid-life career change and commitment to a career as an author (30:00); her spiritual journey (40:00); and dealing with her son’s experience as a student at Sandy Hook Elementary (49:00).
Sophfronia Scott (@Sophfronia) is a writer and author who has debuted three books in the past year, including Unforgivable Love, which retells the tale of Dangerous Liasons in 1940s Harlem; This Child of Faith, a spiritual memoir that touches on the school shooting at Sandy Hook; and Love’s Long Line, a collection of essays.
For more information on Sophfronia, including a full list of her publications, check out https://sophfronia.com/
Notable Links
- Proceeding with Caution by Sophfronia Scott and David M. Gross (TIME article)
- Stephen Koepp, TIME editor
- Generation X Reconsidered (TIME, 1997)
- Great Migration (African-American demographic shift)
- Lorain, Ohio (Sophfronia’s hometown)
- Thirtysomething (television series)
- Girls (television series)
- Annie Dillard (author)
- Toni Morrison (novelist)
- Robert Vivian (writer)
- VeggieTales (children’s TV show)
- Top Ten Reasons to be Episcopalian, by Robin Williams
- Frederick Buechner (writer and theologian)
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer (theologian)
- Peter J. Gomes (preacher and theologian)
- Rob Bell (author and pastor)
- Thomas Merton (writer and theologian)
- Confessions of a Guilty Bystander, by Thomas Merton (book)
- The Journals of Thomas Merton (book series)
- The Asian Journal of Thomas Merton (book)
- Surprised by Hope, by N.T. Wright (book)
- Rumi (poet)
- Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting
- How Faith Helped My Son After He Survived Sandy Hook, by Sophfronia Scott
The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.
Note: We don’t host a “comments” section, but we’re happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.
