Elizabeth Tallent is a professor of English, the recipient of many literary and teaching awards and a leader of ENGLISH 146: Development of the Short Story, which is annually the department’s most popular course. The Daily corresponded with Tallent over email to get a feeling for what makes one of the University’s most popular professors tick.
Hometown: Fort Bragg, Calif.
Undergrad: Illinois State University
Grad school: none
Why did you choose to teach at Stanford?: Incredible writers, amazing students
Family: Wife Gloria, son Gabriel
Best friend: Michelle
Hobbies: Teaching tricks to my dogs
Number-one song on my music playlist: Rosanne Cash, “Sleeping in Paris”
Favorite book: Changes, but right now, “Dirt Music” by Tim Winton
Favorite short story: Changes, but right now Jo Ann Beard’s “The Fourth State of Matter”
Favorite Movie: Culloden
If you could only eat one food group for the rest of your life, would it be grains, meat, vegetables or fruit?: Brown rice
If I hadn’t gone into academia, I’d be: An archaeologist
Department: Creative Writing Program
Classes taught: Development of the Short Story, Contemporary Women Writers
Primary research interest/project: Novel-in-progress
Favorite work that you’ve done: Essay, “Little X”
Fun and unusual fact about yourself: Met my wife while buying a wedding dress from her store, Mendocino Vintage
Favorite place in the world: Chaco Canyon, N.M.
Most Recently Searched on Google (and why): Grizzly bear attacks (for story)
Favorite season: Spring!
Favorite article of clothing: Cowboy boots
Mac or PC: Mac
Coke or Pepsi: Neither
Hot or iced tea: Earl Grey
Favorite mode of transportation: Walking with dogs
Most interesting place you’ve traveled to: Unexcavated cliff dwellings, New Mexico
Favorite place on campus: Andy Goldsworthy’s Stone River