Novelist and writer of stories, Bret Lott
Charleston, S.C.
Bret Lott shares with me the concept of artistic legacy. By that I refer to the desire of an artist- in my case, a writer in Mr Lott’s- to make connection with someone more advanced in our chosen field who’s level of greatness we aspire to. Someone we hope in some way to make our creative ancestor. I have wondered if this concept was a dead one. Alfred Steiglitz in the 1930’s-50’s, for example sustained the status of sage. Many a would-be photographer sought audience with him because of his influence. The practice survives in the showing of a portfolio and seeking the criticism of colleagues and influential artists or even better working as an assistant under one.
During my portrait session with Mr Lott he talked about having met and cooresponded with the novelist, Raymond Carver and his important influence on his own career. I also came across a vial of sand on his desk that he said, chuckling, was collected from under the porch of Flannery O’Connor.
As I walked around the home Bret shares with wife, Melanie I found myself coveting his taste in artwork that thoughtfully claimed every square foot. Before we left he sent Joel and I away with a short stack of his published books. We wasted little time in beginning to enjoy them on the long drive back north reading aloud while the other drove.
