Rick Borsten Reads for LBCC Valley Writers Series

"For what you're about to hear, don't blame my voice- blame my character."

With a gruff twang true to the lumberjack character from his unpublished novel "Insane for the Light", author Rick Borsten belted out a logger's chanty titled "Daylight in the Swamp" for his audience during Linn-Benton Community College's Valley Writers Series on Thursday, April 28.  His audience, made of students and local writers; young and old alike; delighted in providing the rhythm.  A refreshing moment filled with smiles, laughter and applause filled the room when Borsten finished his A capella performance.

"Insane for the Light",  is placed during the gold rush of 1851 alongside a former lumberjack turned hunter who comes upon an enormous Sequoia by way of dealing with a grizzly bear. The hunter is fast taken with the challenge of conquering the tree, an unknown giant rooted in the forest of the Sierra Mountains.

Whatever the value of his singing talent may be, a time ago- you may not have been able to "blame" Borsten's voice at all.

During the summer after his senior year as a college student at UNC-Chapel Hill, Borsten took an elbow to his vocal chords during a basketball game; breaking his larynx. He had his sights set on being a teacher; yet suddenly could not speak. From this accident's imposed silence, Rick Borsten found his voice as an author. He switched his career focus towards writing.

Borsten, a long time Corvallis resident and finalist for the Oregon Book Award in 1987,for his book The Great Equalizer, also read from another novel "Wobbly In the Buddha Field"  which is set in Corvallis, Oregon. The character he highlighted for his audience- a towering statured former OSU sports player.  Dolores drives a school bus, and fights environmental and social injustices.

The Valley Writers Series is put on by LBCC's Arts and Communication Division and highlights a different author each term.
Attendance of the series is free and open to students and community members alike. From its mission statement:

"The Series purposes are to stimulate creative writing among area students, to enhance literary awareness in our community, and to encourage Oregon writers."

Borsten, who has read for the Valley Writing series in previous years, after telling of the challenges posed within the publishing process to the writers who had inquired of it, said:

"Having a book in your hand once it's been published- I've got to say is a real rush."

At A Glance!

Info for Next Reading:

WHO: Jed Wyman, Corvallis Author and Instructor of Composition

WHEN: Wednesday, May 11th @ 12pm

WHERE: Cascade View/Alsea/Calapooia room, CC203/205, LBCC Albany campus

Have questions or suggestions about events?

Contact:

Lucette Wood, wood@linnbenton.edu

Or

Jane White, whitej@linnbenton.edu