The English Majors’ Weblog
Always connect.

So, spring break just ended. While I didn’t spend most of the week reading and writing like I wanted to, I did get in a short story from Steven King’s collection, “Everything’s Eventual.” Okay, I can hear the groans from some of the English majors in the audience, but hear me out. I grew up on commercial books. Phillip Pullman, Douglas Adams, Laurell K. Hamilton, I read them all. Before they all became good writers in their own genres, they were good writers first. These authors even come back to more realistic writing from time to time, like King in “Everything’s Eventual.” In a story called “All that you love will be carried away,” King writes of a lonely salesman’s decision to end his life and his collection of bathroom graffiti is as well-written as any more “literary” short stories. I’d suggest anyone should check the story out. And when you do, leave your preconceptions at the cover of the book.

Literature-Map - The tourist map of literature

Say you have read everything by Joyce Carol Oates (I know that’s impossible, but let’s just say). You want to read someone like her. Go to Literature-Map and check it out. I tried out Wendell Berry and got Oscar Wilde and Dave Eggars. Hmmm… gotta figure out the artificial intelligence driving this thing. Very interesting, fun, and worthwhile? You decide.

Guardian Unlimited Books | Top 10s | Michael Symmons Roberts: verse novels

Were you aware of this genre: verse novel? Time to brush up on these works. I am itchin’ to read In Parenthesis by David Jones. You?

Group: contest

Slide over to podslam.org and submit your video poetry slam. Or rate a poetry slam and win a video iPod. Spring break is upon us. Make it your project in between naps and your latest “candy” novel. Who knows, it might be the start of a beautiful new career.

Absolutely gorgeous flyer. Congrats to Emmett Barton and Melissa Messer for the classy look of both flyers on this weblog.

The first of two topnotch flyers produced by the English Club for the upcoming, second annual Goldenrod Poetry Festival. If you are a non-native, you might not know that the goldenrod, the bane of those afficted with sinusitis in the spring, is Kentucky’s state flower.

I believe there’s a poetry slam tonight at Spencer’s coffee house at 9 p.m. There’s also a band called Man in Gray performing, as well. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m going.

Update: Check out this video of Man in Gray,

Dear all on the English Majors’ Blog:

Hi – I hoped to make the meeting last night, but I needed to grade some papers. Darn. I hope the meeting went well.

I want to join this blog for sure. What a great idea this is!

I was an English major, and worked as a typesetter and graphic artist for many years. Now I am in the process of obtaining my teaching certification for English and Allied Arts, 8-12. My dream is to become a published writer.

This Yahoo group for Writers and Readers (the link is below) has three members so far.

Everyone is invited to share their writing, make writing folders for themselves, and critique each other’s works by posting comments in other writer’s folders. Members are encouraged to put helpful links and files there, too.

I think this group will help writers stay motivated and get published.

The site is moderated (by me) but open to all aspiring writers. (And published ones, too!)

This site is here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AAA_Writers_and_Readers/
Everyone is invited to join. All you need is a Yahoo name and password first.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth (Betsy) Sheppard

Elizabeth.Sheppard@wku.edu
lizann447@yahoo.com
betsy@betsyanne.com
270-779-4152

PS I am going to let others know about this great English Majors Blog site. I can’t wait to explore all the other posts.

Western is hosting the English Majors’ Weblog using a piece of weblogging software known as WordPress. The university is also beginning to provide personal weblogs for faculty, students, and staff as well. I have been piloting one called ConnecText. One of the most important functions of weblogs is to provide space and means for sharing. I envision a time when English majors can do simply and expediently what we now do infrequently and with difficulty–share the varied faces of English. James Surowiecki’s calls this sharing “the wisdom of crowds“. I hope you step forward from the shadows and share yours.

Anybody looking forward to the SOKY Bookfest, April 7 & 8? It is hurtling toward us. Check out the event calendar or look at some interesting writers who will be there like Lorraine Lopez. (BTW, you can read this very flattering review of her collection of short stories, Soy la Avon Lady and Other Stories if you are so inclined.