Nadia Bolz-Weber is an accredited author that was a part of the Visiting Writers Series at Lenoir-Rhyne University, on March 6, 2015. Mrs. Bolz-Weber is unlike the previous authors we have disused, her main focus is devotional, biblical type books. Most of her books are based out of the bible with real experiences to back what she pulls out of the bible. One thing Mrs. Bolz-weber talked about was how the layout of one of her books resembled that of John 20 in the bible. So almost all of her writing is strongly influenced by the bible and word of God, which makes sense because she is a pastor. Her books also resemble her personality; yes she is a pastor but not a traditional or conventional one. Her language and manor does not resemble that of her Clergy status. If you look at her bibliography the language does not present as if a pastor wrote it. Yes the excerpt I read was set before she became a pastor; she could have changed the language. But she didn’t because “ But on that Christmas Day, it felt like shit” and “you’re a fucking alcoholic” is how she would talks. I respect the fact the she does not feel she has to or should change who she is to please others.
Paul Muldoon
Paul Muldoon is an accredited author that was a part of the Visiting Writers Series at Lenoir-Rhyne University, scheduled to visit campus on February 26, 2015. Unfortunately due to weather he was unable to make it for us to hear him speak. Our other two visiting writers, Jesmyn Ward and Katherine Howe, were authors of Nonfiction, fiction, and with Ms. Howe a little history. With Mr. Muldoon, however, he is an author of poetry. One poem in particular ENG 281 has worked with is the Hedgehog by Mr. Muldoon. On the surface, the Hedgehog is about two animals a snail and a hedgehog, the snail wants to tell all of its secrets, while the hedgehog only wants to fold in on itself. Mr. Muldoon uses comparison to make help make his points. One example is a simile when it states “The snail moves like a hovercraft”, he is saying that he snail looks has a rubber bottom half with a metal looking top half. He also uses metaphor to compare the hedgehog to god, I feel like he compares the hedgehog to god because the hedgehog, out of the two, is more powerful than the snail. It is faster, it is stronger, and Mr. Muldoon even said “under this crown of thorns” thorns just like Jesus wore on the cross.
Katherine Howe
Katherine Howe is an accredited author that was a part of the Visiting Writers Series at Lenoir-Rhyne University, on February 12, 2015. One of Ms. Howe’s works is Salem Village, Massachusetts, May 30, 1706, the portion of this novel we read in class deals with a women, who is referred to as Ann, going to the reverend to confess something. As a reader we can infer that this is just after the Salem Witch, and we get the notion that what Ann is about to confess has something to do with the witch trials. Ms. Howe’s writing is different because she writes on stuff that interests her and requires research. Obviously Ms. Howe did not grow up during the Salem Witch trials, so it required a lot of research. This type of writing is very tricky because it takes a lot of time to research facts and double check them to make sure you are writing accurately. Both Jasmyn Ward and Katherine Howe write on things that they feel passionate about, the difference between the two is that Ms. Ward writes about personal experiences and Ms. Howe writes more concerning history and research. I wonder how Ms. Howe picks her topics to write about? What made her chose the Salem witch trials? Over all Ms. Howe’s writing is very unique and a wonderful read.
Jesmyn Ward
Jesmyn Ward is an accredited author that was a part of the Visiting Writers Series at Lenoir-Rhyne University. In the discussion Ms. Ward did Monday, January 19th she talked about her three published books; Where the Line Bleeds, Salvage the Bones, and Men we Reaped. Her most recent book, Men we Reaped, is a memoir of her life and loosing her bother, cousin, and a few of her good friends. Ms. Ward read an expert from her second novel Salvage the Bones, this would have to be my favorite of the three books. The five or so pages she read during her talk got me captivated. I really want to get her book to be able to read the book from start to finish. I wanted to find out if the family made it out of the attic to survive the hurricane, I wanted to find out what happens to China and her puppies, or what becomes of the family. The writing that Ms. Ward does is from the heart; it is all from her past experiences and her life. All her stories have meaning behind them and true passion, something most writers could never obtain. No one had to ask Ms. Ward where her ideas came from; they are all from the heart and her past. I wonder if it easier to write from ones past or if it is harder to recall your stories? How is it recalling the pain, the guilt, the hurt, the smiles and the tears?
kaylaowens 