James McBride on music, writing and 'The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store'

James McBride's artistic pursuits have seen him flourish from being a musician to a journalist and ultimately finding acclaim as a fiction writer. His diverse experiences in these fields have shaped his unique voice in storytelling.

McBride initially pursued a career in music before transitioning to journalism and eventually finding success as a fiction writer.

McBride's early interest in music

McBride started out with a deep-rooted interest in music and spent several years as a professional musician. However, he gradually recognized his knack for storytelling and pivoted towards writing.

McBride decided to take writing more seriously after his book, "The Color of Water," became financially more rewarding than his music gigs. He describes himself as a creative soul, feeling constrained by the limitations within both the music and publishing industries. Always yearning for innovation, he sought to transcend the tendency to retread the same creative ground, shifting his focus to evolving as a writer.

McBride's time as a journalist at the Washington Post

Transition to journalism and its impact on fiction writing

While working at the Washington Post, James McBride was immersed in a variety of experiences, meeting myriad people who helped to broaden his perspective. This diverse exposure while at the newspaper, where he shared tenure with Martin but in different sections, became a fertile ground for his fiction writing. His journalistic tenure, especially his keen habit of observation, is evident in his approach to character development and dialogue within his novels.

"I always carry a notebook. Because people are just handing me money when they talk," McBride remarks, highli ...

James McBride, the celebrated author, has developed a unique writing style that's known for its diversity and distinctive character voices, a product of his observant nature and deep appreciation for the complexity of people.

McBride’s ability to capture unique voices

McBride is adept at capturing unique character voices in his writing, a skill he attributes to his genuine enjoyment of people. He listens intently, always looking for the kindness within individuals, which he believes allows him to see their depth. This understanding and appreciation of people enable him to craft the diversity of authentic voices that populate his novels. McBride also utilizes music to enhance his writing process, as it compels him to listen and feel, further enriching his skill in rendering diverse perspectives and modes of expression. He transfers this technique to his writing students by having them listen to music and observe their surroundings closely, to hone their own abilities in capturing varied voices with authenticity.

Humor in the face of seriousness

Another defining characteristic of McBride's work is his use of humor. He can find the lighter side of even the most serious situations, a practice shaped by his background in a community where laughter was not just joy but a means of survival. Through this lens, McBride views life optimistically, with the understa ...

James McBride's writings are heavily influenced by his personal experiences and observations, especially his time spent working at a camp for disabled children.

McBride's experiences working at a camp for disabled children had a profound impact on him and inspired the central storyline of his novel "The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store."

McBride describes the camp, Variety Club Camp for Handicapped Children, as a United Nations outside Philadelphia. Originally started as a camp for Jewish kids with polio, it later opened to all differently-abled children. The camp has had a lasting impact on McBride, who remains in touch with some of the campers. This diverse community of disabled and differently-abled children, along with the camp's founder, who had to conceal his sexuality at the time, provided McBride with rich insights and experiences that he drew upon while crafting the characters and themes of his novel "The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store."

McBride attributes the inspiration for his writing to this man and his time at the camp. He recounts attempting to write about the camp previously, but the narratives felt sappy or corny until he found the right angle through the character Moshe, who was inspired by the camp's founder and his relationship with Chona/Hannah.

McBride's observations of the ways in which people with disabilities are often overlooked or marginalized have shaped his desire to give voice to these stories and perspectives in his writing.

Visiting Pennhurst, a closed institution for disabled children, also influenced the setting of McBride's book, and his familiarity with children who have cerebral palsy is evident in his novel through characters like Dodo and Monkey Pants. He shares an anecdote about a confident child from the camp who spoke to heavyweight boxer Joe Frazier, showcasing t ...