Tracker Pixel for Entry

Closing this year’s Community Read

Writer's Block | October 31st, 2018


by Nataly Routledge

MOORHEAD-- “I thought I’d read 30 pages of the book in a monotone,” said Penny Duffy in the introduction to the question and answer session for her novel on Thursday. The audience lit up with laughter. Held at the Knutson Center of Concordia college, the event was held as part of this year’s 1 Book, 1 Community read for the Fargo, West-Fargo, and Moorhead communities.

The yearly community read for our region is hosted by the local libraries. This was the 7th year of this event—the chosen novel this year was The Cartographer of No Man’s Land.

“Libraries serve as a real community connector,” Duffy noted towards the beginning of her talk. Events such as 1 Book, 1 Community attempt to draw together a range of demographics within the region and unite them with a commonality—reading a novel. Book talks, exhibits, posters, and author talks are held each year to generate interest in the book and its topic. Last year’s novel was Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet written by Jamie Ford.

Duffy worked for years as a writer for neurosciences at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and has dabbled in creative writing for years. This novel was her first venture into fiction, something she’s been hoping to dive into for a long time now.

The novel is set during World War I telling the story of a fictional family living in Nova Scotia. This subject was the result of a long-held fascination with history starting with Duffy’s undergraduate degree. Initially put on the backburner, this interest in history resurfaced in the form of a historically-rich and meaningful novel voicing the story of Canadian soldiers.

At first hesitant to take on such a daunting, research-based project, Duffy avoided the project. The final bout of certainty for this topic occurred while she was visiting a small arts center in Minnesota. As she was admiring a local artist’s painting, a woman who identified herself as a psychic approached her. “I see these men in khaki, suspenders, and collarless shirts standing around you, and they want you to tell their story,” the psychic told Duffy.

This event, as odd as Duffy perceived it to be, pushed her to dedicate herself to this novel. She did in-depth research on World War I, collecting a vast number of statistics and sources to immerse herself into the context of this novel. “A lot of the time I felt like I was writing something beyond myself,” Duffy told the Fargo-Moorhead audience.

At some point during the talk she surveyed the audience to see who had ancestors that served in World War I. A significant percentage of the audience raised their hands. “We need to honor those who fought, without glorifying war…it’s a fine line,” Duffy later said, continuing to reflect on the gravity of her novel’s content.

The book took her a total of 8 years to research and produce. You can find the novel at the West Fargo, Fargo, and Moorhead public libraries. Information on the 1 Book, 1 Community project can be found at the website 1book1community.org.

Recently in:

MayFargo MarathonNow - May 20Youth run Thursday, 5K Friday night, 10K, half and full marathon, entertainment along route on Saturday. fargomarathon.comKids to Park DayMay 20Bring the kids to Theault Farm in Fargo for crafts,…

By John Showalter john.d.showalter@gmail.comHuman rights is a subject that often comes up in the media. One has only to tune in to any of the major news broadcasters to hear heated debate and discussion regarding the treatment of…

Event by Moorhead Parks & Recreation and Swing Barrel Brewing Company, LLCW. H. Davy Memorial Park, 1st Ave & 8th St N, MoorheadTuesday, June 27, 5:30-8pmThe Gina Powers Band + Petting ZooHeather & Thistle Pipes and DrumsArt…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comOur opinion: Keep your chins up, class of 2023As the school year draws to a close, this seems to be the time of year when most editors offer up their best advice to the most recent graduating…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comCan Someone Tell Me Why Sneakers Sell for $1.5 to $2.2 Million a Pair? It has to be something other than quality. I shop for used books in thrift stores because I have discovered thick books given…

We are looking for 55-gallon plastic food grade barrels, do you have ideas or connections?We use these barrels to teach our resilient yard workshop series including Make Your Own Rain Barrel and Make Your Own Compost Tumbler. If…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.comSpring has finally sprung. It’s time to bounce out of the house and try a few new places to eat. Let’s explore what restaurants are trending on the Fargo-Moorhead Eats Facebook page. With nearly…

Event information provided by Morgan Thompson, Marketing and Sales Associate, FARGODOMEMThompson@fargodome.comIt’s the official kickoff of summer, and the return of the best BBQ around and look who’s going to be there! Getting…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.comUntil I saw “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” I really thought the cinematic expression of the multiverse concept had peaked with the triumphant Best Picture Academy Award for…

Hjemkomst Center 202 1st Ave N, Moorhead  April 25, 3:30-7:30pmPaint a rock, make a stranger smile and be a part of the movement! Keep your rock or add it to the pile to be labeled, sealed and…

By Eric Dallmanericd@hpr1.comWe recently watched “The PROM” at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, and it was an experience that left a lasting impact on us. The story, a heartwarming yet familiar one, follows a group of Broadway stars…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Kris Gruberperriex1@gmail.comSpring is here (mostly), and our area is buzzing with people eager to get back out and about -- many newly vaccinated and feeling a bit safer. Partnering with Jade Events, Fargo Brewing is just…

By John Showalter  john.d.showalter@gmail.comThey sell fentanyl test strips and kits to harm-reduction organizations and…

By Traci Sethre  traci.sethre@gmail.comAn integral piece of fencing is your mask. Its integrity keeps you safe. It’s typically painted black to hide your face…

By Ken and Alice Christiansonsubmit@hpr1.com HB 1332 is currently before the North Dakota legislature. The bill proposes to permit social workers to use a discredited treatment method to convert the sexual orientation of gay and…