Olympia Vernon

My plan, as both a professor and creative writer, is to discuss the various aspects of writing such as characterization, the importance of a powerful line, atmosphere and temperature of a short story (in terms of setting), etc, a writer's ability to capture the reader's eye and maintain that vision throughout a literary, creative piece.

Music and film are two powerful vehicles of expression; it is not odd for students under my instruction to write to the violin, the lyrics of Devotchka's "The Oblivion" and other types/forms of music. It is not odd for students under my instruction to find an object, a scene, a moment in a foreign or independent film (e.g., David Gordon Green's "George Washington") and free write on the characters involved, the lives involved.

Music and film are only two forms of expression; there are others as well. Elements of life hold lines and stories together; a tree, a root, a stem, a vine, a cup, a saucer; words are created and born from these things and the invisible beauty of what the eye holds.

When a student captures the true nature of expression, of life and is able to translate it into words, it is an incredible power to behold.

A simple philosophy: one student at a time.

Interests

Fiction