Elizabethtown College English Department

Young adult novelist Terry Farish spent two days with Elizabethtown College students, explaining her writing process, the themes in her novel, and the current state of young adult publishing.

Farish has written several picture books and young adult novels.  Her 2012 novel, The Good Braider, tells the story of Viola, a young citizen of Sudan who escapes the trauma and war of her native country and eventually settles in Portland, Maine. Throughout the novel, Viola considers the symbol of the elephant and how it represents her struggle.

Librarians and teachers have added the award winning novel to summer reading lists because of its careful telling of Viola’s story. It explores how two cultures can eventually harmonize when people pause long enough to accept each other.

The Bowers Writers House made Farish’s visit possible.  Jesse Waters, director of the Bowers House, scheduled her visit to include a craft talk, an evening reading, and a visit with the Young Adult Literature class.

Researching Another Culture

Students interested in writing filled every seat during Farish’s craft talk.  She spoke about the importance of deep research and embedding yourself in a culture if you plan to write about it.

Farish spent time with the Sudanese community in Portland while conducting her research, and she recounts staying up until midnight and cooking with them because she wanted to participate in the deep community ties that they enjoy.  She felt it was ” an emergency” to learn their stories and share them.

Farish talked about the challenges of publishing in the young adult literature market.  She said the literature is driven by “the drama of first experience,” because “there is so much drama in being young.”

Kirsten Ambrose, an education major who read The Good Braider for Young Adult Literature, said that she found the experience enlightening.  “As a future teacher, I think meeting an author is one of the most authentic experiences for students,” Ambrose said.  “I think having a safe space to discuss literature is invaluable for students, and what better way than with the actual author. I hope to implement this in my future teaching in any way I can.”

Anthony Scioli, a psychology and professional writing double major attended two of Farish’s events.  Scioli was also a member of Young Adult Literature, and he was interested to hear Farish talk about the writing and publishing process.

“I understood that fiction writers could become attached to the stories they create, but feeling a familial closeness with characters was a novel thought for me,” Scioli said.  He said that he thought about this idea and others after the visit was over.

Before she caught her train back to Maine, Farish answered publishing questions and signed books during her final meeting with the Young Adult Literature class.  Just before she left, she gave a tiny metal elephant charm to each student, a reminder of their time with The Good Braider and its author.

Author Bio:

Dr. Tara Moore teaches writing and literature classes at Elizabethtown College.

Tags: careers, writing, Young Adult literature