<< Back 10/30/02 Author Pettigrew is WCU’s first writer in residence SMN Her life’s work as a writer began at the age of 4 with a red spiral notebook and a mother who took dictation. Author Dawn Karima Pettigrew, who has grown up to become Western Carolina University’s first full-time writer in residence, dictated her stories and poems until, at age 9, she became a published author with a poem about Egypt. She hasn’t stopped writing and publishing since then. “My stories and poems tend to be family stories,” said Pettigrew, who joined the Western faculty this fall. “I’m fascinated by what families and individuals do with everyday life. I think that’s where the miracles are — extraordinary things ensconced in ordinary events.“ Her writings include poems, essays, creative non-fiction, and several novels. Pettigrew’s first novel, The Way We Make Sense, is being published this fall. A finalist in the North American Native First Book Award Competition, it is a story about miracles and consequences, and the way each impacts the Stands Straight family. The family patriarch, Jack, makes a foolish decision that affects the rest of the family for decades. Finally, his granddaughter, Manna, makes a miraculous choice that redeems the whole family. “I am convinced that in any situation, no matter how terrible, if someone will begin to make right choices, God will intervene and turn it around,” said Pettigrew. She is seeking a publisher for her second novel, The Marriage of Saints, written at the end of her reign as Ms. Native American Worldwide Achievement 2001. The book was written during a time of transition in Pettigrew’s life. Glimmer Train, a short story journal, published an excerpt from The Marriage of Saints in its summer issue and California Stage, a theater company in Sacramento, Calif., is performing that excerpt as a play this November. Pettigrew holds a master of fine arts degree in creative writing from Ohio State University and a bachelor of arts degree in social studies with a concentration in popular culture and the media from Harvard University. She has been a conference/readings coordinator for Wordcraft Circle, is a member of the Native Writers Circle of the Americas, and is a member of the Native American Journalists’ Association. In addition to a maintaining a full teaching load, Pettigrew continues to serve as a correspondent for News from Indian Country. Previously she interned as an assistant to the producer of “Larry King Live” on Cable News Network and served as a member of the editorial staff of Harvard’s Diaspora Literary Journal. Pettigrew has taught at The Ohio State University and Ohio Wesleyan University. The Writer in Residence Program is intended to enhance undergraduate and graduate courses offered through the professional writing programs in Western’s English department, said Brian Railsback, department head and assistant professor of English. In January, Pettigrew’s classes in creative writing and Native American literature will be offered for the first time through Western’s Cherokee Center. The creative writing class will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and her Native American literature course will meet at 6 p.m. Thursdays. Early registration for the classes is set for Nov. 4-15. For information, contact the Cherokee Center at 828.497.7920.