Zadie Smith delivers insight on connecting writing to self

English author Zadie Smith urged aspiring writers to use language to explore their “unique consciousness” at a packed lecture hall at the University of King’s College Wednesday night. 

“There are as many versions of a novel as there are readers who read it,” she said. She told the audience to “resist the template” of clichés and convention, and to instead write in a way that expresses their individual complexity.

Smith, 49, author of the best-selling debut novel White Teeth, was the keynote speaker for the 11^th Alex Fountain Memorial Lecture, an annual speaker series held by the University of King’s College. Her third novel, On Beauty, was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2005.

Over 300 people attended, with more watching an online livestream. 

Smith read a prepared essay on the practice of creative writing and the importance of using language to express one’s personhood and worldview. 

Smith focused on the unique character of every person and how that affects the written word, both in producing and in reading it. She quoted extensively from the author James Baldwin, whose work she said was a prime example of the danger and the beauty possible when you “measure consciousness to the direct dimensions of your conscience” while writing. 

Smith finished by acknowledging that “the predations on our consciousness are many” in the present, but stressed that it was important to continue writing to recognize our shared humanity. 

Ramona Lumpkin, who attended the event, praised Smith’s openness and insight.

“That was one of the best, most dense, most provocative and thoughtful talks I’ve ever heard,” she said. “She’s brilliant, and I think she took us on a wonderful journey through her own mind.” 

The speaker for the Fountain Lecture each year is chosen through voting by the students at the university. Nominations produce a list of the ten most popular choices. Guests are then invited from that list. 

“Zadie Smith is a very impressive literary figure, so it’s pretty exciting to have her here,” said King’s Students’ Union president Sara MacCallum.

She said Smith was one of the highest profile speakers the school had ever had, as well as one of the most popular among the students.

“It’s really cool that she accepted to come visit King’s and talk to us, because the students showed that they wanted to hear from her.”  

Smith said the student vote was part of the reason she agreed to deliver the talk. “You asked for me,” she said at the beginning of the event. “Nobody ever does that.” 

The lecture series was established in 2011 by Fred, Elizabeth and Katherine Fountain to honour their late son and brother Alex Fountain. Previous speakers have included Charles Taylor, Michael Ondaatje and Tanya Tagaq.