Students received guidance yesterday from Jill McCorkle, an esteemed professor at Harvard University, who has made her way onto the New York Time's Review for its "Notable Books of the Year" list. McCorkle has written five novels and three collections of short stories.
She participated in two events on campus. The first event was an interview with University of Memphis students. She commented on her writing styles and her background.
Venika Runnels, an English major concentrating in creative writing, attended the interview because it was mandatory for one of her classes, but she said she ended up enjoying the presentation.
McCorkle's writing style is known as being "relaxed and humorous." When she strives to achieve a certain style, she fails because she said it seems too forced.
She also said that she creates characters who are usually experiencing difficulty. It is a way for her to help them "find acceptance and some recognition of the truth that wasn't there before."
McCorkle inspired students by telling them that nobody has a vision like their own and it is important to word that vision in a way others can understand.
She also held a workshop for students who were willing and able to learn more about an extensive style of creative writing.
She read from her work, 'Creatures of Habit", at Dixon Gallery & Gardens last night.
Born in North Carolina, McCorkle builds her work off of her southern upbringing. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received the Jesse Rehder prize, the university's most prestigious award for creative writing.
McCorkle also attended graduate school to receive her master's in creative writing. While achieving her master's, she won her second award, the Andrew James Purdy Prize for fiction.
Since then, she has moved out of the South and now lives in Boston. But, home for her is miles away.
"I'm homesick," she said. "The South is still home."
Jessica Conrad, senior marketing major, attended the events because she is a fan of McCorkle's work. Conrad thinks it is beneficial for The U of M to sponsor events such as this one.
"I think it is important for students to get a chance to meet someone who majored in what they are majoring in," Conrad said. "It is a great opportunity for students to ask questions to someone who is already out in the work force."
