David Updike, son of John Updike, will share his family’s story, works and photographs at Alvernia University’s Third Biennial John Updike Society Conference 2 p.m. Oct. 2.
The lecture will be held in Francis Hall Theater, where Updike plans to give a slide show of sorts entitled ‘Family Archaeology, in Pictures and Prose.’
‘There will be family pictures and some art work, along with my own narrative and excerpts from my father’s writing as well as his mother, Linda Grace Hoyer, who was born and died in Plowville and published two collections of short stories,’ said Updike.
Updike is coming to the area right as his father’s childhood home is being renovated. The home is a museum-in-progress owned by the John Updike Society.
‘I am happy his home is being turned into a museum,’ said Updike. ‘I hope it has a useful life beyond the occasional tourists, something like a writing center for local students manned by college students, perhaps, but it’s not up to me.’
As the lecture approaches, Updike recalls his childhood and his father’s advice to him.
‘I was fortunate to have good, loving parents,’ Updike said. ‘That is probably the most important thing to have. My father was very encouraging of me to write, and supportive when I did publish things. Like me, he was a private writer, so he didn’t want to interfere too much.’
Updike can’t remember any specific advice from his father besides on drafting his work.
‘He told me to get the first draft done first, without being too fussy about it, and then go back and work on it,’ he said of his father. ‘Try not to get stuck, but let it flow and then go back and revise as needed.’
This advice proves valuable, as David Updike has developed a love of writing that has allowed him to publish multiple works including children’s books, short story collections and a young adult novel called Ivy’s Turn.
‘Writing can be satisfying,’ he said. ‘I get a sense of preserving things, events and people in a fixed way as everything is always changing, slipping away.’
Updike also teaches English at Roxbury Community College in Boston.
‘I encourage my students to write,’ he said. ‘In fact, I force them, but most seem to enjoy it if you give them good topics.’
Updike enjoys teaching for its interactive qualities.
‘It is social, and you have a captive audience to laugh at your jokes,’ he said. ‘It’s satisfying helping students become better writers and readers and to learn new things about the world.’
Although Updike has spent most of his time recently working on his presentation for the conference, he has bright plans for the future.
‘I hope to get back to writing some stories and essays soon,’ he said. ‘I am also a photographer, and I have much work to do with old pictures and negatives, as well as new ones.’
David Updike’s lecture is a free event open to the public. To learn more, visit www.alvernia.edu/events/2014/10/10-2_updikeconference.php
