Spring Break
The wonderful world of Hellenga
Margaret Eaton
Issue date: 3/31/06 Section: News
But the important thing is they were there. He also discovered there is an elephant buried in a park in Oquaka, Ill. named Norma Jean.
A man of many talents, Hellenga also sang Winds on Lake Michigan, a song Rudy sings to Norma Jean while he is taking care of her when the Russian takes a vacation.
"In all my books there's a blues singer, I just can't get away from it," Hellenga said.
Hellenga said he did not initially want to write, he said there were enough fiction writers in the world. After receiving a grant of $5,000 and using it to travel to Italy things changed.
"Knox has an active writing program so I thought why not? I wrote a few short stories. Going to Italy was the big turning point. When I get stuck now I write about Italy."
He also gave advice to prospective writers in the audience.
"I always tell my students, getting something down on paper is very important. As long as you get something down you can relax, it doesn't matter how bad it is."
A man of many talents, Hellenga also sang Winds on Lake Michigan, a song Rudy sings to Norma Jean while he is taking care of her when the Russian takes a vacation.
"In all my books there's a blues singer, I just can't get away from it," Hellenga said.
Hellenga said he did not initially want to write, he said there were enough fiction writers in the world. After receiving a grant of $5,000 and using it to travel to Italy things changed.
"Knox has an active writing program so I thought why not? I wrote a few short stories. Going to Italy was the big turning point. When I get stuck now I write about Italy."
He also gave advice to prospective writers in the audience.
"I always tell my students, getting something down on paper is very important. As long as you get something down you can relax, it doesn't matter how bad it is."
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