By Justin Fox, Contributing Writer
“Writing matters!” was the phrase that greeted the Matthew Neil Null’s audience just before he presented his work in Joseph Theater on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Null, originally from West Virginia, is an associate professor of fiction at the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and visited Gettysburg to share an excerpt from his most recent published work. The presentation enlightened attendees to Null’s writing process and allowed them to learn about his personal experience growing up in industrious West Virginia.
Null read from his third novel, “Floodgate,” a work based on true experiences of his from his childhood in an area dense with industrial practices. As a child, the scenery of the county stuck out to Null. “When you’re a child, everything seems natural,” he said. These features were revealed over time to him to be the result of operations that condemned land and forced people from their homes. Through Null’s poetic prose, the novel simulated a similar track of realization, along with the effects it has on people who hold values between those of the industry and the liberal mindset.
The featured excerpt of the evening followed Drennen, a coal miner who quit his job after losing the election to become president of his labor union. Turning to another project run by the government that leads to casualties, he observes emptiness all around, both literally in the lands that have been wiped out by the industry, and figuratively in his personal life. He felt as if he was constantly suffering from systems, which Null compared to motifs of Franz Kafka. Authoritative powers govern Drennen’s hometown, which, combined with the devastating election loss, makes him miss the days when he could find happiness without the backdrop of expectation. He wants to be appreciated for his presence only and find ways to distract himself from grief. The characterization serves as a way for Null to view his childhood realizations from the perspective of his adult self, making for a moving experience for readers.
Following the reading, Null answered questions from the audience about his writing process. When asked about the research process involved in writing fiction so closely related to real events, he responded “Actually, being a writer is keeping your ears open.” Picking up on the surrounding world and learning naturally from people is the most effective form of research for fiction. Other topics brought up included the value of focusing on language over character, inspiration though the consumption of art, and his specific creative process which involves a long, rough, first draft that is greatly truncated during revision, with the attempt of striking a balance between lyrical language and plot.
Null’s reading and presentation inspired the audience both from the novel’s content and the approach to writing present in it. His attention to “the movements of groups of people over the individual is interesting and helpful for writing,” said Grace Renshaw ’27, relating to the values Null shared.
In addition to bringing attention to a notable area of America and the effects brought on it and its people from industrial action, Null’s visit was a strong endeavor towards promoting creative writing and why it matters. As he promised, “I think there’s always room in the world for another good book. I know you are all writing, so there will be room for you to.”
(Photo: Audrey Balszak/The Gettysburgian)
