“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

Sophfronia Scott on God, mid-life career change, and defining a generation

Deviate

Sophfronia Scott on God, mid-life career change, and defining a generation