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Nancy Simpson's LIVING ABOVE THE FROST LINE, New and Selected Poems was published by Carolina Wren Press (N.C. Laureate Series, 2010.) She is the author of ACROSS WATER and NIGHT STUDENT, State Street Press, still available on WWW at Alibris and Books Again. Her poems have been published in Southern Poetry Review, Prairie Schooner, The Georgia Review and other literary magazines. "Carolina Bluebirds" was published in THE POETS GUIDE TO THE BIRDS, Anhinga Press). "Grass" was reprinted in the 50th Anniversary Issue of Southern Poetry Review: DON'T LEAVE HUNGRY ( U.of Arkansas Press.) Seven poems were reprinted in the textbook, SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN POETRY,(McFarland.) Two poems were published in SOLO CAFE, Two more poems were published in SOLO NOVO."In the Nantahala Gorge" was published in Pisgah Review. "Studying Winter" was reprinted in Pirene's Fountain Anthology and "The Collection" in Collecting Life Anthology. Most recently, Southern Poetry Review Edited by James Smith, published "Our Great Depression," and The Southern Poetry Anthology Vol. VII: NORTH CAROLINA,Edited by William Wright, reprinted "Leaving in the Dead of Winter."

Thursday, September 24, 2009

the writing studio at John C. Campbell Folk School.



Sept.13-18, 2009, I spent a week in the writing studio at John C. Campbell Folk School, teaching a writing class.

Cane Weaving Chair Seats and Backs was taught by Raleigh, NC instructor Bud Conner.











I'm reliving memory today. Can't help it. It was one of the best classes I have taught. The class was WHAT'S IN YOUR WRITING FOLDER? and our focus was writing the personal essay, short short and poetry. The students this time were all living in the south, all writing on their own, all having individual projects they hoped to advance, and I am happy to say, they did that.



Writer, Mary Louise Stark from Rabun County Georgia



Class member, Poet Rachel Bronnum is a member of NCWN West and she has two poems forthcoming in Echoes Across the Blue Ridge.


An excerpt from My Journey to Appalachia by Eleanor Lambert Wilson will be included in the forthcoming anthology Echoes Across the Blue Ridge: Stories, Essays and Poems by Writers Living in and Inspired by the Southern Appalachian Mountains edited by Nancy Simpson.

On Monday when I gave a personal essay writing assignment, the students scatterd to find a place to write. I found Lisa sitting outside under what we call "The Poet Tree." When we shared our writing later in the day she said, " I didn't write an essay. I could only write a poem." I said,
"That's because you were sitting under the poet tree. We got a big laugh out of that, and I took her picture under the tree.














Scientist Walter Schrimper from Tennessee, caught writing his essay "Apples and Atoms"











On Thursday afternoon, the class read in a public reading at the school. We had a good audience, all chairs filled. That was encouraging. As the period went on, we learned that many in the audience were from the Recycling Class. I thought that odd, but one of our class members said it is not strange at all that the recycling class came to support us because we both do the same thing. True. On Friday when we went to the student exhibit, I was most taken by the work of the recycling class.

THE ART OF REUSE: WORKING WITH SALVAGE AND FOUND OBJECTS taught by Kimberly Joris at Sept. 13-18, 2009 at John C. Campbell Folk School.



5 comments:

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Sounds like you had a great week Nancy. I hope your students know how lucky they were to have you as their professor.
They have a lot of great classes at the Folk School. Their big fall festival is next weekend. See you there.
Sam

Joan Ellen Gage Admin said...

I like the idea of the poet tree. I should venture out and claim one of my own.
Writing definitely is easier at the customary place. My favorite is the front porch of our cottage in Warne--when I can get there.
Enjoy your classes!

Nancy Simpson said...

Thanks to Sam Hoffer, who has an essay forthcoming in ECHOES ACROSS THE BLUE RIDGE: Stories, Essays and Poems by Writer Living in and Inspired by the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Thanks to Joan Ellen Gage for checking in now and then. I see the connection. I understand. I enjoy reading your site. If Warne is in NC then there are possibilities we will meet for a real visit someday.

Kathryn Stripling Byer said...

Great post, Nancy. I'm looking forward to your new book! Kay

Tipper said...

Looks like a wonderful week for all.