Evan Holbrook won’t even try to pretend the inclusion of his short story in an anthology doesn’t excite him.
He keeps a copy of the anthology, “Not From Around Here, Are You?,” nearby and can fetch it at a moment’s notice.
In fact, all of Paul G. Blazer High School, where Holbrook is a senior, is excited. The school library ordered copies for its collection and so did some teachers. The school will recognize his achievement during an assembly this afternoon.
“We have had, and currently do have, many outstanding writers here at Blazer, but being published in high school is quite an unusual honor,” said Kristy Wilcox, his English teacher.
Holbrook, 17, wrote the story while participating in the annual Governor’s Scholars program during the summer.
“The Twilight Runners” is a dark tale that explores mortality and choices people make between their hopes and their fears. In it, a young man confronts death and chooses a prolonged but joyless existence as a wraith-like being, then regrets it when he sees another man embrace his impending demise.
Holbrook readily admits he hasn’t had much experience with people dying, only recently losing for the first time an elderly relative with whom he was close.
He credits the Governor’s Scholars program with prompting him to delve into his gloomy theme.
He’s been writing for fun since around fourth grade. He remembers the piece that sent him down the literary road: it was inspired by his collection of Pokemon cards.
The cards have long since been relegated to a drawer and so has the essay, but Holbrook still remembers how he felt when his teacher encouraged him: “I like the feeling of making something and having people enjoy it,” he said. “That’s the best part — when someone reads something I’ve written.”
Beyond that, a thought-provoking piece is his goal. That’s why he was willing to probe the limits of mortality in his anthologized story. “It was about the consequences of not being ready,” he said.
“Evan is an incredibly talented writer and has all of the necessary tools to be a successful writer,” Wilcox said. Among the implements in his literary toolbox are a prodigious vocabulary, ability to vary sentence structure and sound mechanical, grammatical and organizational skills, she said.
He also is blessed with an ingenious creative sense and a strong base of knowledge in many subject areas, Wilcox said.
When he is not writing, Holbrook is the starting center on the Blazer football team and a leader on the school wrestling team.
He has an avid appetite for reading, a quality that often leads to writing talent, Wilcox said.
MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.
Photos
Paul Blazer High School senior Evan Holbrook talks about one of his short stories published in the anthology, "Not from around here, are you?". John Flavell/The Independent(Click for larger image)
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