Writer's Series Response

Response to Writer’s Series with Steve Himmer, Robert Kloss and Matt Bell


2/24/2011



I’ve been attending the Writer’s Series for a number of years. Each author or poet has had their own style and personality. Thursday night was no different. For me the writer that got my attention was Robert Kloss – wow! History, Abe Lincoln, Lincoln’s story. Outstanding imagery right down to the silver dollars on little Willy’s eyelids. I also never knew Lincoln had his son exhumed twice. You could tell the piece was well researched. Again, it is Kloss’ imagery that is the hook for the listener and I am sure the reader.

Matt Bell picked an interesting set of characters for his story about the cartographer and his girl. I liked how he intertwined the girl with map making, mapping every place she went. Bell is very good at building up tension in the story. Steve Himmer’s work didn’t grab me, although I did like his idea of having a character who was employed in the plastic plant business.

When I listen to other people’s work I look for imagery. I need to be able to picture the story, the characters, etc. The more color and detail the better.