Exploring Organic Metaphors in Fiction and Non Fiction with Heather Dune Macadam

Review by Alexandra Salas

Soul bearing, no holds barred acclaimed author and lecturer Heather Dune Macadam engaged Centenary College with a candid discussion about organic metaphors and their role in creative non-fiction.
 
On October 27, 2008 in the Front Parlors of Centenary College’s Edward W. Seay Administration Building, Macadam led the reading and writing workshop that was supported, in part, by the Warren County Cultural and Heritage Commission.
Macadam graciously read excerpts from selections of her work. The reading segment was followed by a question and answer session during which she shared with faculty and students snippets of her editorial inspirations, as well as professional and personal experiences. She also offered advice to student attendees on writing and how the “metaphors around us” contribute to fiction as well as non-fictional writing.

Forthrightly poised, Macadam expressed her passion and duty toward genuine, un-politically correct writing, and encouraged attendees to consider “how do we create poetry out of our own lives.” In addition, she emphasized having the courage to use one’s individual voice. “It is important to not be politically correct in writing. How can you show character if you are spending time being PC?”

In response to a question about her writing process, she asserted the importance of revision. “Do you have to read your work out loud? Yes. You have to read it aloud so you can evaluate it, understand it, and provide perspective.” However, she admitted, “Occasionally you get lucky,” and “automatic writing” happens; this is when the writing does not need to be refined or edited. “But that takes time. You need to become aware of your own process. I used to rewrite to the point where I killed things. As you develop your craft, you understand the process.”

Two of her books were available for purchase at the book signing – The Weeping Buddha, a murder mystery based on a personal life incident and Rena’S Promise, a concentration camp memoir, she co-authored.

Macadam is a faculty member of the MFA in Writing Program at Stony Brook Southampton, State University of New York. For more information about her work, visit http://www.heatherdune.com/.
******