Authors recite recent writings at campus visit
by Laura Martinez, Reporter

   Who says Texas creates only cowboys?
   The South Campus Evening with Authors proved the Texas brand can breed successful authors as well.
   Sponsored by the English department, the event brought three local and regional authors before South Campus students the week before Thanksgiving.
Phyllis Allen, Jas. Mardis and Yvette Blair read pieces of their works and fielded questions from the audience.
   Local writer Allen read a selection from her book of short stories, Momma Minnie and Me.
   The excerpt portrayed the attitude of a grandma, Ms. Minnie, who believes black and white people should respect one another despite the color of their skin.
   Ms. Minnie says in the book, “Open the door and let light into the darkness.”
   Allen quickly responded when an audience member asked what her favorite aspect is about her fictional Momma Minnie and Me stories.
   “Everyone always seems to have a grandma just like Momma Minnie,” she said.
   Pushcart Prize winner Jas. Mardis recited pieces of his original poetry.
   His poem, Big Boys with No Apologies to Small Men, brought laughter from the audience.
   The poem describes all the things that big boys do for their women that small men cannot even compare to.
   He also read Sting, an emotional poem expressing certain feelings he had during a trip with his friend, Jim Lee.
   “I get my inspiration from my own personal experiences and feelings,” he said when students asked him where he finds the different ideas for his poems.
   Native Dallas author Blair delivered some unique comic stories from her collection.
   Hack, a witty story, details crazy big-city driving and a woman who cannot believe some of the things that city people do to their cars or for a ride in a car.
   Blair got into character when she read Bones, a story about what happens during a family’s weekly game of dominos.
   Her funny stories seemed to keep her listeners intrigued waiting to discover what would happen to the characters next.
   Blair ended the evening by offering a challenge to the college audience.
   “Everyone has a talent; discover your talent now,” the visiting writer said.