In an ode to Black girls, debut author T Clark releases their first short story collection. I recently spoke with them about All This Want (And I Can’t Get None).
Tell me about your latest book.
This latest book, my first, is a short story collection, mostly set in some working-class Westchester towns. It’s about the messiness of coming of age, figuring yourself out, and searching for autonomy in a world that wants to keep you down and tell you how to live.
Why did you decide to write it?
I’ve always written, and I love short stories, so after college, I got an MFA in fiction. In grad school I had access to professors and peers who helped and encouraged me, and eventually I had enough stories for a book. In the more philosophical sense, it’s the book I wished I had when I was younger. I decided to write it for Little Me and folks out there who can identify with them.
How did you come up with the book’s title?
The title comes from the opening story. There’s a moment where the protagonist is looking at the snacks in a CVS and laments that she wants them all (because she’s hungry) but can’t get any (because she’s broke). It applies to the other stories as the characters have big desires, but are not always successful about getting what they want. And when they do, you have to ask “at what cost?” sometimes.
What’s the nicest thing a reader has ever said to you?
The nicest thing anyone can say is that my work makes them feel seen or recognized. I’ve appreciated when people say that the characters are messy or “allowed” to make mistakes. I equate this to honesty and bravery, which makes me feel like I’ve done my job.
When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, but I didn’t conceptualize it as a potential career until college. My teachers were all working writers, and we were reading books by living, active people. That’s when the path became clearer to me. Certainly felt pie-in-the-sky, but at least I knew it could be done.
What books have you read lately and loved?
The last book I read was O Sinners! by Nicole Cuffy, and I’d love to meet her. We share a publisher, and everyone I’ve met so far at One World has been delightful. I’d love to talk to her about her book; I was so impressed with the research, depth of POV, and beauty of the sentences.
What books are at the top of your to-be-read pile?
Aside from O Sinners!, I’ve been revisiting craft books as preparation for teaching in the fall. Lynda Barry’s Making Comics, Matt Bell’s Refuse to Be Done, Craft in the Real World by Matthew Salesses. I love finding new language to describe what can feel abstract and/or intuitive. Craft books can be good for that.
What’s next for you?
I took My Documents by Kevin Nguyen to read on a beach trip, but my friend borrowed it and didn’t want to give it back yet. Gayl Jones’s Butter, Happy Bad by Delaney Nolan, and The Oldest Bitch Alive by Morgan Day are next on my TBR.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
I start teaching at the LSU New Orleans MFA program in the fall, and I’m also working on a novel. And there are always more stories on the backburner.
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Website: tia-clark.com
Instagram: instagram.com/tclarkbigtime