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Library Lecture Series 2008 - 2009

The Library Lecture Series was conceived by Library Director Hedi BenAicha in Fall, 2008, and has continued to bring bright minds and interesting topics to the college community. Guide includes articles as featured in the library newsletters.

Karen Boren and Michael Michaud

             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                            

                                                                                                        

 

"On Being a Writer"

The library's lecture series continued on March 25, 2009 with Dr. Michael J. Michaud and Dr. Karen L. Boren, professors in the College's English Department, who shared the spotlight as well as their creativity as they explored the concept of writing and the role of an author.

In his presentation entitled, "Who is a Writer?" Professor Michaud challenged our preconceived notions.  Does the percentage of time spent writing determine whether one can claim the title?  If not, then why not?  When emergency medical technicians, for example, create reports that detail the who, what, when, where, why and how of each of their cases, aren't they writing?

Professor Boren, who teaches creative writing and also writes both fiction and creative nonfiction, said that it took her a long time to call herself a writer.  It becamer easier after her coming-of-age novel Girls in Peril was published in 2006 and was nominated for the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Award.  She then talked about her novel-in-progress, Month of Fire, and read an excerpt.

So, what makes a writer a "writer"?  Judging from the reactions to the presentations and the lively interaction that followed, that remains a topic for discussion.

Marlene Lopes