Dewan W. Gibson: a literary Bachelor

November 3, 9:26 PMEast Bay Literary ExaminerTony R. Rodriguez

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the East Bay Literary Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

DEWAN W. GIBSON 

“This book made me laugh and I don’t even like to smile.”

—Big ‘Los, San Quentin State Prison

Dewan W. Gibson is a man of surprising honesty. While most of us (at times) think things we dare not say, Gibson openly unleashes his views in poetic confessions. His prose effortlessly projects a dicey side of human curiosity. By reading his work, one can suggest his narratives almost reflect a modern-day similarity to the Marquis de Sade or Henry Miller.  No joke. Gibson shows that much promise with his risky prose. And after checking out The Imperfect Enjoyment, his first book, I felt I needed to learn more about this guy — this literary cavalier who rejuvenates the archetype of the post-college American Bachelor.

Here’s what we discussed:

Congrats on all the success with The Imperfect Enjoyment. It really is a “bachelor’s memoir.”  What bit of “dating” advice could you offer bachelors who may pick up your book?

DWG:   Always remain a gentleman, which is both rare and surprising to women. Maybe nice guys do finish last in some instances, but we also tend to smile our way into a lot of tail! A bachelor should also be sure to keep protection in strategically placed locations (ex: under the couch, in the kitchen drawer) to appear prepared . . . Lastly, having “game” is useless and desperate. A simple introduction and a few follow-up questions work fine. Leave that silly game stuff to the corny guys that wear shades in the club.

Wow! . . . Thanks for your honesty. It seems like you’ve put some thought into this . . . Anyway, considering a past personal experience, what’s been your most impressive “pick-up” moment?

DWG:   My girlfriend is going to kill me for this, but it would have to be this Brazilian hostess. I briefly alluded to her in The Imperfect Enjoyment, but did not explain fully. In short, she was working in front of an expensive San Diego restaurant where her main role was to lure in customers with her exotic looks and elementary English language skills. I walked past her, said hello and then walked away completely intimidated by her rotund backside and video girl looks. I manned up and returned five minutes later, started a conversation with a simple “How’s your day going?” and within three weeks she was in my apartment — ready. She’s in Brazil now, hopefully reminiscing about our “short” time together. Well, I guess the joy was in the hunt . . .

In The Imperfect Enjoyment, I really dug Haniyah. What a complex girl and relational situation. And I know you can only generalize, but what are your personal thoughts about Muslim culture in the West, namely regarding the collective views of Muslims who date non-Muslims. Do you think there will ever be a dramatic shift in Islamic dating culture in the West?

DWG:   I think there will be a shift among foreign born Muslims in the West as time passes. It’s similar to how first-generation Americans are often unable to speak English. However, their children will speak English and the parents’ native language. The grandchildren will speak mostly English and maybe understand the family’s native language. First-generation foreign born Muslims in the West will check out the Westerners from a distance, but probably won’t act on their curiosity. Their children will probably date one or two Westerners, secretly of course. But the grandchildren will assimilate and accept the unabashed fornication in Western culture. It’s a beautiful thing.

Good point . . . You’re an extremely young professor at San Diego State University. How often did you get hit on by your students? Be honest, Dewan.

DWG:   Well, every semester there are a couple of girls that stay after class and start random conversations. They typically wear low-cut tops and pretend to be confused about the lecture. I more than welcome their questions and their breasts, but that’s as far as it goes. I told myself when I started “The occasional glance is perfectly justified considering the circumstances, anything further would be uncivilized.” To be honest, my older colleagues are the hornballs. Remember that old innocent looking professor you had? He goes to strip club buffets. 

So what are you working on now?

DWG:   I’m writing about relationships for a couple websites, hella promoting my book and of course blogging. I’m also doing freelance grant writing for non-profit organizations, simply because the money is good and the good angel on my shoulder has had very little to write down. I plan to start my second book in 2011, which will probably be a humorous look at my time as Head Negro in Charge/Sex Muffin at a community health center. Until then anyone out there can catch me on my blog or Twitter, which I just started using. By the way, I hate the phrase “follow me on Twitter.” Follow me and you might end up heartbroken with an STD. So I’ll just say “let’s hang out” on Twitter. 

*          *          *

And with that, we get to see just a bit of the dicey side of Dewan W. Gibson, a candid man with an ever-impressive grasp on modern-day storytelling. At times he’s playful, and at times his dead serious. But his command for language is both raw and inviting, which makes him a gem in literary circles. So check out The Imperfect Enjoyment and listen to Gibson celebrate his actions, regret his actions, learn from his actions, all the while doing his best to enjoy life and be human.

The Imperfect Enjoyment  by Dewan W. Gibson

Irc Books, December 16, 2008, 176 pages, paper trade, ISBN 978-0-615-22588-3, $10.95

Copyright © 2009, Tony R. Rodriguez, Examiner.com