Guggenheim fellow Robin Hemley read his new essay “Removing my Curse” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to University of Idaho students gathered in the Menard Law Building Courtroom. He is the second of three guest speakers the MFA creative writing program brings to UI each year.
Hemley, director of nonfiction writing at the University of Iowa, shared his essay about his experience with curses. While in India, he said he came across an old woman who cursed him. Unsure as to the legitimacy of the curse, he continued to travel the world, seeking help from knowledgeable people in different countries. Hemley shared humorous background anecdotes of curses he cast as a child, and their affect on who he is today.
“Curses are not sensible,” Hemley said. “They are not said in reflection.”
At the end of the event, Hemley opened the floor to questions from the audience.
“While abroad, I am seeing myself in relation to other cultures. This essay exemplifies a part of me.” Hemley said.
The Distinguished Visiting Writers program invites authors to UI to host a workshop for MFA students and give a lecture.
“It’s a long process,” said Doug Heckman, director of the MFA program. “The MFA committee comes together and creates a list of potential authors to invite every year. Our program receives national attention, so we are able to have some big name authors.”
During the school year, the program invites one fiction writer, one nonfiction writer, and one poet for the series.
“This is a win-win situation,” Heckman said. “We are able to host a distinguished writer and work with them, and they are able to relax in Moscow. These workshops are also excellent to put on the writers’ resumes.”
The MFA creative writing program has one more reading scheduled for the fall semester. UI’s Alexandra Teague, winner of the 2010 California book award, will read an excerpt from her book of poetry entitled “Mortal Geography” Dec. 7.