Interviews with Louise Erdrich and Michael Dorris

Abstract Louise Erdrich: I think of any label as being both true and a product of a kind of chauvinistic society because obviously white male writers are not labeled “white male writers.” However, I suppose that they’re useful in some ways. I could as well be “woman writer” or whatever label one wants to use. But I really don’t like labels. While it is certainly true that a good part of my background, and Michael’s background, and a lot of the themes are Native American, I prefer to simply be a writer. Although I like to be known as having been from the Turtle Mountain Chippewa and from North Dakota. It’s nice to have that known and to be proud of it for people backhome.... WonB: Collaboration is an idea that makes many writers who emphasize individual creativity uneasy. You two work together. Would you describe your collaborative process?