Professor gives lecture

It’s OK to write out of the seat of your pants.

This was the message that Markus Jones, assistant professor of English, discussed during his presentation titled “Shaping the Story” to wrap-up this fall’s Graves Lecture series, Tuesday, at the Mari Sandoz High Plain Heritage Center Chicoine Atrium.

Jones is the published author of “How the Butcher Bird Finds Her Voice,” an award-winning novel published in 2018.

Jones shared his experience as a creative writer and how creative writing does not need to be planned to be good.

He also read some of his own short creative fiction and shared his creative process. Some of his works shared Tuesday ranged from short stories, to excerpts, to longer stories.

Jones said all good stories need yearning, which helps the reader connect to the characters and therefore keep the reader’s attention.

Jones explained that ‘pantsing,’ or writing out of the seat of your pants, is a great way to start creative writing. However, the tried and true plotting is also key to make it a strong piece.

Jones also delved into the differences between genre and literary during his presentation Tuesday.

The Graves Lecture Series will resume in 2019, with the start-up date to be announced at a later time.