LIt Fest Day 2...
Apr
14
By Michelle Bentley
Day 2
Bonnie Jo Campbell
If I had to pick the most inspiring speaker of the event, I would
say it was Bonnie Jo Campbell. Campbell encourages writers to never give up on
their dreams. She writes raw fiction often inspired by real people in
her life. She reminds us all how important it is to write what you
know. Campbell states, "As a writer you have an obligation to
give a damn about everyone all the time." It is with this attitude that
she approaches her writing. She is a caring person, and it shows.
She spoke of a story that took her 24 years to write. She
said that she knew the story had to be told, but she was not going to let go of
it until she could figure out how to make the reader care about an alcoholic and
a drug addict. The story she was referring to is "Bringing Bella
Home" which I have not had the pleasure of reading.
I have read her novel Once Upon a River which
is the story of sixteen year old Margo Crane. This beautiful character is amazing
and surprising. This young lady has so many obstacles to overcome.
Since I know fellow Lit Club member Breanna Martin is currently reading this book, I will not provide
any spoilers, but I will say that it is easy to read and hard to put
down.
I was as impressed with Bonnie Jo Campbell the person as I
was Bonnie Jo Campbell the writer. She took the time to really talk to anyone
who approached her outside of the event. When I had the pleasure to talk to her
one on one in a hallway she was approachable and friendly. She and I
discussed her book Once upon a River and others. We even discussed Beloved when she asked what I
was currently reading in my English classes. I know writers are people, but to
me Campbell is like a rock star; the fact that she was so down to earth
was a wonderful surprise. I felt like I was talking to my neighbor and
friend. The experience will live with me forever.
Thank you so much Dr. Hayley Haugen and Dean Willan for allowing
me this opportunity.
2 comments:
Michelle -- I think of all of us, you had read the most of the authors' works. Lit Fest is certainly a different experience when you know their work well. I mostly knew Butler's work, but I am inspired to read Campbell now, and Ackerman's memoir fits right in with my own research right now on writing/art/healing. I think it was her who said that books find you when you need them. So true!
It was a wonderful experience. Your are right I had read something from just about everyone there except Diana Ackerman. She seemed interesting though maybe one day one of her books will scream to me on a shelf somewhere begging to be read. I am always looking for something new to read. I agree books do find you. I don't always read what is popular at the moment. I read what screams at me from the shelves at the local Thrift Store, or on the pages of Amazon. As much as I love books, I rarely check them out of the library. I enjoy rereading books and they are not too expensive that I cannot allow myself the pleasure of owning them.
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