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| Gurney Norman visits high school |
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| Written by Danetta Barker | |
| Wednesday, 10 March 2010 | |
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By Danetta Barker Editor Students at Fleming High School were treated to a visit from Kentucky’ Poet Laureate last week. Gurney Norman, author and writing professor, came to the school for a workshop in creative writing. Students who participated had to submit a written piece to be eligible, according to teacher Julie Burton. During the two-hour workshop, Norman gave the students several writing prompts, including one about a phone conversation. Students were to take character A and character B through a conversation that included ending the conversation. “You can give names to the characters,” Norman said, “and by giving names you give your characters a gender.” After the students were finished, Norman asked them to \make a list of four or five things that B might do after A ends the conversation. “Cry. Go stalk her. Call Monica Lewinsky, move in with Richard Simmons,” said Ryan Miller. “If you read my conversation you understand.” After the class Millers conversation was revealed to Norman. Miller had Character A as First Lady Michelle Obama and Character B as Bill Clinton. Other students had written that after the conversation ended they did chores, drank coffee or soda, watched TV, went for a walk, and fixed dinner. Several students mentioned animals. “That’s good. Write about animals when you are stuck,’ Norman said. “The point I wanted to make is the have a starting place for a new story. You can start in arbitrary way, such a going to town.” Norman said expanding on an ordinary experience can lead to a story. “After a few sentences, you may not even need what you started with,” he said. “Just trust yourself.” Laura Stacy, Miller’s partner for an exercise, used tow girls for her characters. “I had them talk the way high school and friends are with all the drama,” Stacy said. Norman talked about growing up in Eastern Kentucky near Hazard where he lived with his grandmother. He read two pieces of his work to the students that dealt with events from his childhood. One piece was called “Snow Day,” and was about walking home from school while the snow came down. Another was about his beloved dog Karo. After the workshop most of the students came by to speak to Norman. Kyle Grooms waited patiently until the other students were gone before handing Norman a poem. Grooms explained the story behind the poem about his uncle who fought in the Vietnam War. Grooms waited nervously while Norman read the poem. “Powerful,” Norman wrote across the top of the page. “Emotionally moving. The voice of this poem is strong, real, honest and authentic.” Humbly Grooms accepted the praise. |
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