Percival Everett is no stranger to literature. He's a professor at USC, teaching creative writing among other subjects. He's an award-winning author. He's served as a judge for the National Book Awards. And he's the author of ten novels.

FictionAddiction.NET's Vanessa McDaniel talked with Everett about his latest book as well as his own advice for writers.

As a professor of literature, do you find it difficult to accept criticism of your own work?

I like criticism. I see my editors' suggestions as a way to make my work better. Often, I'm too close to the story or novel to see something that's not working. Sometimes, the criticism is wrong, but allows me to see something else. My skin is pretty thick.

Do you find that you face the same writing issues as Monk?

Sadly, yes on some points concerning publishing and race. But the real similarities are in the way this character of mine approaches the making of art in this culture.

How do you believe African Americans should break the mold of stereotypical writing?

By writing what they want to write, the way everyone should write what they want to write.

Since you're so articulate, was it difficult to write the "My Pafology" portion of Erasure?

It was very difficult. It was amusing at first, then it became rather sickening. Then it became outright terrifying as I realized that the story in some way worked.