INSTRUCTORS

Phil Jason

INTERVIEW WITH PHIL JASON

What's your philosophy about teaching a writing class?
I think being a good teacher is about having an eye for those subtle, sometimes unintentionally well guarded moments of brilliance that everyone has inside. You see these things that are being overlooked and you bring the student’s attention to them. You encourage the student to explore them, to let them bloom. All writing is a journey to rediscover lost or buried things and reclaim them. Great writing is the success story of such a journey. As a teacher, you’re a guide who maybe doesn’t know the terrain any better than the student, but you’ve got a flashlight.
How have you used magical realism and absurdity in your own writing?

I use magical realism as a means to highlight those things which have become so ordinary we don’t notice them anymore, such as how dream-like the waking world actually is.

I don’t read much truly contemporary absurdity. A lot of my inspiration in this department comes from quasi-contemporary writers like Douglas Adams and Donald Barthelme and a little bit from Thomas Pynchon. And a long time ago I read Catch-22, which I don’t remember that well, but I know sowed some seeds in me.

What are some great examples of magical realism and absurdity in contemporary literature?

Magical realism: Aimee Bender’s The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. Joe Meno’s The Boy Detective Failed. Manuel Gonzalez’s The Miniature Wife.

I don’t read much truly contemporary absurdity. A lot of my inspiration in this department comes from quasi-contemporary writers like Douglas Adams and Donald Barthelme and a little bit from Thomas Pynchon. And a long time ago I read Catch-22, which I don’t remember that well, but I know sowed some seeds in me.

INSTRUCTOR BIO

Philip Jason was born and raised in NY. He graduated from The University of Pennsylvania with a degree in business he never uses. He mostly writes fiction. He has published stories in a variety of literary magazines including Prairie Schooner, Ninth Letter, Mid American Review and Sou’wester. He has taught classes in both fiction and dream interpretation. Recently, he came to enjoy flossing but remains uninterested in Jazz.

WHAT WRITERHOUSE STUDENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT PHIL

“He gave excellent feedback. Specific helpful critiques as well as encouragement.”

“The prompts were great—really made me think.”

“Instructor did a great job, gave constructive exercises, and kept a high level of energy in the class.”

“Yes, Phil’s experience and knowledge is incredibly helpful.”