Here I will showcase some of my best writing. This includes both fiction and non-fiction writing from some of my literature and creative writing classes at Dixie State University.
Research/Thesis Papers
Out of the Nursery and into Mordor: A Case for the Fantasy Genre as Literature 2017, Senior Capstone
Description: I was given the choice to do my senior thesis on whatever I wanted as long as it was academic in nature. So I decided to tackle the issue of why fantasy literature is not really considered "Serious Literature." Over all, it was a very enlightening experience and I learned a lot about how to do better research and write better and more academic research papers.
Modern Fantasy: A Genre of Racism? 2014, Multi Ethnic American Lit, Dr. Brad Barry.
Description: One of my favorite parts of this class was when Dr. Barry allowed each student to write a paper synthesizing what we'd learned throughout the semester with our own interests. As a fantasy/science fiction writer, I couldn't wait to write about the treatment of ethnicity within the fantasy genre. I believe it to be fascinating how some fantasy literature can be considered "racist" because of the different tropes that are used. This essay explores that dynamic more especially within the works of J. R. R. Tolkien and argues that, while some elements of his stories may be viewed as racist, its influence and intention lay not in race, but within the ancient dichotomy of Good vs. Evil, Light vs. Darkness.
“Passing” in The House Behind The Cedars 2014, Major African American Authors, Dr. Randy Jasmine.
Description: This paper analyzes Charles W. Chestnut's novel The House Behind the Cedars and the age-old practice of "passing" which is taking upon oneself the traits of a race or role that was created by society. Chestnut's work was perhaps one of the most difficult and paradigm-shifting works of fiction that I've read. This was a difficult paper to write in that it forced me to think outside of myself in this society that's changed so much since the time of the slave and the slave master.
Out of the Nursery and into Mordor: A Case for the Fantasy Genre as Literature 2017, Senior Capstone
Description: I was given the choice to do my senior thesis on whatever I wanted as long as it was academic in nature. So I decided to tackle the issue of why fantasy literature is not really considered "Serious Literature." Over all, it was a very enlightening experience and I learned a lot about how to do better research and write better and more academic research papers.
Modern Fantasy: A Genre of Racism? 2014, Multi Ethnic American Lit, Dr. Brad Barry.
Description: One of my favorite parts of this class was when Dr. Barry allowed each student to write a paper synthesizing what we'd learned throughout the semester with our own interests. As a fantasy/science fiction writer, I couldn't wait to write about the treatment of ethnicity within the fantasy genre. I believe it to be fascinating how some fantasy literature can be considered "racist" because of the different tropes that are used. This essay explores that dynamic more especially within the works of J. R. R. Tolkien and argues that, while some elements of his stories may be viewed as racist, its influence and intention lay not in race, but within the ancient dichotomy of Good vs. Evil, Light vs. Darkness.
“Passing” in The House Behind The Cedars 2014, Major African American Authors, Dr. Randy Jasmine.
Description: This paper analyzes Charles W. Chestnut's novel The House Behind the Cedars and the age-old practice of "passing" which is taking upon oneself the traits of a race or role that was created by society. Chestnut's work was perhaps one of the most difficult and paradigm-shifting works of fiction that I've read. This was a difficult paper to write in that it forced me to think outside of myself in this society that's changed so much since the time of the slave and the slave master.
Poetry
To Remus 2015, Poetry Writing, Dr. Claire McQuerry
Description: This was a Persona poem, which means that I put myself in the mind of someone else, taking on a persona. I chose to write from the perspective of Romulas, the brother of Remus. In ancient Roman mythology, the two brothers were the first to found the city of Rome. But they fought over where to build the city. Romulas ended up killing Remus in the feud, but was later grieved by the act. This poem tells the story from his perspective.
Knowing: After JMW Turner's The Decline of the Carthaginian Empire 2015, Poetry Writing, Dr. Claire McQuerry
Description: This Ekphrastic poem was based on the painting by JMW Turner's The Decline of the Carthaginian Empire. Dr. McQuerry encouraged us to pick a piece of art and build a poem based on it. As it turned out, I was taking an art history class that same semester and it was easy to choose one. JMW Turner is one of my favorite artists from the Romantic movement of the early 1800's.
To Remus 2015, Poetry Writing, Dr. Claire McQuerry
Description: This was a Persona poem, which means that I put myself in the mind of someone else, taking on a persona. I chose to write from the perspective of Romulas, the brother of Remus. In ancient Roman mythology, the two brothers were the first to found the city of Rome. But they fought over where to build the city. Romulas ended up killing Remus in the feud, but was later grieved by the act. This poem tells the story from his perspective.
Knowing: After JMW Turner's The Decline of the Carthaginian Empire 2015, Poetry Writing, Dr. Claire McQuerry
Description: This Ekphrastic poem was based on the painting by JMW Turner's The Decline of the Carthaginian Empire. Dr. McQuerry encouraged us to pick a piece of art and build a poem based on it. As it turned out, I was taking an art history class that same semester and it was easy to choose one. JMW Turner is one of my favorite artists from the Romantic movement of the early 1800's.
Short Story
Inertia 2016, Creative Writing, Prof. Rob Gray
Description: My high concept for this science fiction piece was this: What if vampires could explore the universe? They would be the perfect fit; they don't need much in the way of sustenance, the same threats that can injure humans don't apply to them, and they can live forever. I think one of the hardest parts about this piece was the limitation of seven pages. I know that this easily can be developed and fleshed out into something much longer.
Inertia 2016, Creative Writing, Prof. Rob Gray
Description: My high concept for this science fiction piece was this: What if vampires could explore the universe? They would be the perfect fit; they don't need much in the way of sustenance, the same threats that can injure humans don't apply to them, and they can live forever. I think one of the hardest parts about this piece was the limitation of seven pages. I know that this easily can be developed and fleshed out into something much longer.