Interview: Novelist William Kennedy is introduced by Dean John Eadie and Professor William Penn. Kennedy begins with an amusing anecdote about writing a short story for Collier's which was subsequently rejected. This short story, Eggs, helped him to understand the art of writing. Writing is a form of self exploration, which Kennedy achieves through writing about his hometown of Albany, New York. He attempted to write from another perspective, the Puerto Rican perspective, but could not place himself in that world. Kennedy discusses the politics, power structure, history, culture, and underlying governing forces in Albany, which were largely ruled by Irish Catholic Democrats. He believes in the importance of sense of place to a writer. Kennedy answers questions on topics including the death of the novel, his screenwriting career, and mysticism in his novels. Kennedy imparts advice on young writers, explaining that it is important for writers to understand and follow the writing traditions but, at the same time, follow their own rules for writing. Kennedy finishes his lecture by discussing the beginning of his writing career and future plans for a novel.