Local Author Gregory Spatz Reads in Writing Center

Gregory Spatz, author of “What Could Be Saved”, came to the Writing Center to read his book out loud to prospective writers on Thursday afternoon. After an introduction by NIC professor Jonathan Frey, Spatz read a section of his book for 20 minutes and then had a Q&A session with the audience. The event was presented by the Trestle Creek Review, the NIC Writing Center, and the NIC English Club. 

Spatz answered questions at the Q&A session about his writing process and motivation for writing “What Could Be Saved”. He discussed how he created the complex relationships between characters and dialogue framing the main and minor conflicts of the book. He also talked about the times when he is most productive with writing and how he developed the plot in chronological segments from beginning to end. 

“If I had to give general advice for young writers, I’d say to read a lot and read carefully,” Spatz said. “Find authors you like and pay attention to their craft. Just let the process happen.”

Within the book are two novellas and two short stories that are unified by a central theme. He also compared his book matching to the process of book matching in violin craft, which is a symbol within the book. 

Spatz is the author of six books of fiction, and his stories have appeared in prestigious publications, such as the New Yorker and the New England Review. He has been awarded a Washington State Book Award and an NEA Fellowship in literature. He is also a teacher at Eastern Washington University in Spokane.

Jonathan Frey is an Associate Professor of English at NIC and has had Gregory Spatz as a professor in the past. “His books helped me see profound human experiences when I was a student of his,” Frey said. “I get to encounter fiction anew in his works.”