David Emeka

Why FSU?

The FSU creative writing department was easily among my top choices for its renown.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

After my MFA, I took a year to study and think independently. I decided to return to school partly because I missed thinking in community, partly because there was so much I wanted to learn that needed academic structure.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

I'm currently working on a novel set in Nigeria, a love story. I began writing it to think about beauty and about care. I think the impulse for beauty is a fundamental and important one, but its current manifestations in (American) popular culture are suspicious, to use a gentle adjective.

Who has been influential in your graduate career?

I feel lucky with the classes I'm taking this semester and the people in them, rigorous but fun. My friends outside the program too. It's good to be reminded of the outside world for a sense of scale.

Career aspirations

Paraphrasing Toni Morrison: "To read books. To teach books. To write books. To think about books. It's one job."

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Make sure you're clear-eyed about why you want to get a graduate degree. Reach out to others for a wide range of experiences. The work can be quite intense, but can be managed by an equal intensity of will and an eye on the end goal.

Accomplishments during graduate career

I've had two publications this semester, one fiction, one criticism. The fiction piece I'm especially proud of because I've long wanted it out in the world, and it's connected with readers so movingly.

FSU Harold and Janet Gordon Scholarship

National Book Critics Circle Emerging Critics Fellowship

Hobbies outside academics

Baking bread