October 2014

By Derek Nikitas, Director, Bluegrass Writers Studio

All right, the time has come to reveal the remaining two author guests we have slated for the Bluegrass Writers Studio Winter Residency 2014. Although, technically, it’s three, since one guest is actually two people. Writers can be weird like that.

But first let’s talk about creative nonfiction writer JASON HOWARD. Mr. Howard is a local guy with national acclaim, and he’s also a long-time friend of EKU’s creative writing programs. A few years ago he entertained and edified a group of students and community members as part of our long-running EKU Summer Writers’ Conference. Now we get to share Mr. Howard all over again.

By Jen Parks, Bluegrass Writers Studio

            I like to think that I have a good sense of direction. I can usually remember how to get to a place, even if I’ve only been there once, committing to memory tiny details like: turn right at the mailbox with the cardinal picture on it or turn left at the house with the tractor tire on its side in the front yard. Every once in a while, though, despite my memory, I get lost. Really lost.

Clips from a conversation with Derek Nikitas, Director, Bluegrass Writers Studio

     The most important thing it takes to be a good fiction writer rarely gets talked about. You have to suffer compassion for people, fellow humans. All of them. In imagination and in life. To a degree that is past responsible or reasonable. If you harden your heart at all, you will fail. You'll fake it or you'll forget it. And I need to hear this again, as much as anyone.

     Compassion differs from empathy in that it is "suffering with," not simply understanding why.