First on writing as a craft:
RA: Well it taught me that writing IS a craft! It’s something that has to be done like any other art form. I mean, you’re either a painter or you’re not. You can go to school and learn how to mix paints but these are just tools — the ‘art’ is internal and so is writing.
That’s the great thing about the Workshop — they realize that they can’t teach you to write but they give you the tools to develop the craft.
And I believe that’s a testament to Frank Conroy (editor’s note: Conroy, director of the University of Iowa’s Writers Workshop since 1987 and author of “Stop-Time,” died at his Iowa City home of colon cancer on April 6, the day before this interview. Aslan decided to dedicate his reading the evening of April 7 to Conroy’s memory), who pulled me here and I’m quite moved and saddened by his death.
He taught me that writing is a noble profession; that writers are almost chivalrous in their profession — noble people embarked on a noble task. He also taught me that writing is also a job and if you want writing to be a job, you have to treat it like a job. You have to get up in the morning, punch the clock and write for six or seven hours a day. You can’t take a sick day from writing.
When I was writing “No god But God” I was under a huge deadline while writing it - I wrote it in about 13-14 months. But because I had been taught to treat writing like a job, that helped me.
I never took that seriously as a young writer. I used to say ‘I’m an artist; I have to be moved to write.’ Well, that’s not what Frank taught me. He said you’re an artist, fine, but a craftsman as well and you have to work every day.
On the Midwest view of Islam and the Middle East:
RA" Like most Californians and people who grew up on the coasts, we have such a biased picture of the Midwest and that comes from ignorance. When I came to Iowa a lot of my colleagues at Harvard and Stanford chuckled at me - what could one do in Iowa?
But I have to tell you I was absolutely blown away by the literacy of this state, by the interest of this state and by the liberalism of this state, especially after 9-11.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Aaman
Great interview - well-framed and good answers. Thank you
2 - Temple Stark
Damn straight . Thanks. Means I don't have to. I was lined up to do so and may still e-mail some questions.
I have the book in hand for review and, er god help me if I don't remember to link back to this post when I get it up there.
3 - Eric Olsen
super job Keith, very much appreciated!
4 - Sfc Ski
Very informative. Thanks.
5 - sonja valentine
i heard him interviewed on morning sedition last week. interesting and thought provoking.
nice job.
6 - ben afsouss
i really thank you for every single word !!!!!!!!!
7 - ben afsouss
its a great job!!!!!!!!!!
8 - Keith Gottschalk
Thanks for the comments. Aslan is a very interesting and engaging interview and has done yeoman's work condensing the history of Islam for the layman reader. He is getting some flack from more conservatve Muslims and from others who say he is pulling the wool over the eyes of Westerners (see Amazon's comments section). From my experience with him, he seems very sincere about his beliefs and I think for more politically conservative types its interesting that he gives the Bush administration a backhanded pass on Iraq - the ends, in his opinion, may justify to some degree, the means - but only if the end product is engineered by the Iraqi people.
As an aside if you wish to see him on television, he told me he's scheduled to be on with Dennis Miller soon and on radio with Charlie Rose. And his agent is working on getting him on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. So if you're interested, check the schedules.
9 - Aamir Ali
So far Mr Aslan seems to be well anchored both in his American and Muslim identities and is doing a good job. I just hope the success doesnt go to his head. Anyways best of luck Mr Aslan.
10 - SFC SKI
It may well be that moderate Muslims in the U.S. and to a lesser extent in Europe, are finally realizing that they need to use the freedoms and protections to speak out against extremist Islam or risk losing their religion to the fringe. I sure hope that they can somehow bring about the necessary changes by providing this voice.
11 - Cyrus Mossaddegh
www.iranian.com/Opinion/2005/February/Cyrus/
12 - Aaman
so this is a candidate for the Iranian presidency - interesting - tell us more about the political situation in Iran, Cyrus - is this a real or a dummy role in the Iranian government? What are your thoughts on the global situation, and the Petro-dollar?
13 - Eric Berlin
This book review has been selected for Advance.net. You’ll be able to find this and other Blog Critics reviews at such places at Cleveland.com’s Book Reviews column.
14 - Banafsheh Zand-Bonazzi
Though I appreciate Mr. Aslan's achievements, as an Iranian writer and activist, I must say that I fully disagree with him and so do a huge section of the members of the Iranian Student Movement inside Iran. What Mr. Aslan is, is another enthusiast of Islam who has the luxury of living OUTSIDE Iran and enjoys all that secular life has to offer him. I speak to people in Iran EVERY single day and my own father is a celebrated journalist AND political prisoner there...believe me not ONE person thinks that bombs are going to fall and everyone realizes that U.S. military is stretched too think. Mr. Aslan may have spoken with some people who do not bother reading and react to sensationalistic garbage eminating from Mullah TV; I can assure you that a huge protion of Iran, from the student movement, to union leaders, to intellecutuals, academics etc. believe such nonsense. Mr. Aslan unfortunately has been turned into windon-dressing for nervous westerners who want to grasp at anything that slightly derides them while looking like they're one of them! I suggest you do not take one Iranian's word as gospel...there's much much more than meets the eye...
15 - Temple Stark
That's a fair statement too Mr. Zand-Bonazzi.
16 - Azim-Khamisi
The book is a call to reform, and a proposal to end the religious battle between East and West - its a great job .But i Think The Persian Like Puzzle-
'-Ç ÇÕáÇä ãÚÊÞÏ Ç"Ê ˜å Çí'Çä È'ÎáÇÝ Ïí' ˜"æ'åÇی ã"áãÇä ÌÇãÚåی ÈÇ' æ Â'ÇÏی ÏÇ'Ï¡ ãیÊæÇäÏ ÈÇ Û'È 'æÇÈØ ÕáÍÂãí'ی È'Þ'Ç' ˜äÏ æ Çã'í˜Ç ÈÇíÏ Ï"Ê Ç' ÊåÏíÏÇÊ ÎæÏ Úáíå Çí'Çä È'ÏÇ'Ï
17 - bilho
I heard Reza Islan at Emory U. a few weeks ago and thought his ideas about violence and the proponents of its use in international and social life were the most salient parts of his analysis of the world today. He seemed to sort of imply that the U.S. should stay in Iraq to keep the sectarian violence down by using U.S. armed forces. Being a thought-product of a wing (or feather) of the Protestant Reformation (the anabaptist nonviolent movements) I suddenly realized that what Iraq and the United States both need is for its citizens to embrace nonviolent social change because nothing else seems to work. Peace is the way.
18 - Eric Berlin
Saw Aslan on Bill Maher's show this weekend and was very impressed by his knowledge and ideas.
19 - Roonie
I want to marry him. He is brilliant.
20 - RN
i loveeee youu rezaaa aslaaaaaaaan
21 - MAJ G (Khalil Shaheed)
I am an African-American Muslim (by conversion) serving in Iraq. My current job is to figure out ways to achieve "success" primarily through non-lethal means. My primary tool is education. Mr. Aslan's views and opinions are very similar to what I try to impart to others in the course of my duties to military leaders. It is very tough at times because of "perceptions", but I plan on using 'No God, but God' as a resource to help other American soldiers understand Islam from another Western perspective. I also appreciate the fact that ALL opinions on this site are respected. Mr. Zand-Bonazzi's comments were very eye-opening and informative. Thanks...
22 - Alison
I was married to an Iranian-American who passed away in 2004. I was born and raised in NJ. My late husban opened my eyes, so to speak, to the rest of the world. From what I've seen and read, I am quite impressed with Reza. My father-in-law, who is Iranian, wrote a book, called the "Rise and Fall of the Reza Shah" several years ago, about the revolution and his experience(s). I hope that anyone who is interested, would read his book. The author of the book is Cyrus Ghani.
23 - gulnaz
he is brilliant! i want to get my hands on his book. its infuriating to see the bad name being given to islam nowadays by all the crazy stuff that is happening in the world. we need more people like mr reza aslan, so more power to him!
24 - Earlaiman Abd. G
Assalamualaikum, Reza
25 - Daniel Ybarra
I am a gay latino Catholic with my own issues. I have been on a spirittual search to help me understand why we humans war with one another. I have read several of Karen Armstrong's books, and wanted to find someone to teach me about Islam, and thus discovered Reza Aslan. Wow! What an incredible read. I have told all my friends about it. It has helped me begin to understand the complicated world of Islam. Reza's voice should be heard by anyone interested in Islam.
Thank you for a great book. I look forward to your next endeavor.