On Oct. 23, the Cane River Reading Series presented Brianna Corley for an engaging literary event. The reading, sponsored by The Cammie G. Henry Research Center and The Department of English, Language, & Cultural Studies, offered students, faculty and the Natchitoches community a chance to experience Corley’s powerful voice firsthand, and attendees gathered to hear her present some of her short stories.
Corley is originally from Olla, Louisiana. She graduated from Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 2022 with bachelor’s degrees in English and communication, before she went on to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at The New School.
She is currently teaching at Tyler Junior College. Along with teaching, she is also a writer and a Fulbright grant recipient. The Fulbright program, funded by the United States government, awards prestigious grants and international scholarships to support those looking for study and research opportunities around the world.
“My experience at NSU was very transformative. I think it was the place I first discovered that I could actually be a good student, and I could be someone who goes out into the world and writes stories,” Corley said.
Corley expressed her belief that everyone is put on earth for a certain reason. “If I didn’t write I would feel very empty inside. Writing is like breathing to me,” she stated.
During the reading, Corley shared selections from some of her favorite collections, and attendees were invited to ask about her creative process and inspirations.
“It’s a big process. I think about what sounds the best and what’s most interesting to read out loud,” Corley said. “I think about what sections of the story won’t put people to sleep, because there is a difference between reading it and hearing it.”
When approaching a book as a writer, Corley explained that she looks for different things than the observations she makes as a reader. “As a writer I look for collections of short stories, southern works, like modern southern works, and classic southern works as well. I also look for the supernatural,” Corley said.
When she’s just reading, she looks for stories and characters that she can connect with. I’m mostly interested in characters. I get inspired by really good prose. I love the books that you can barely find, the ones where every single word is poetry,” she said.
Some of Corley’s work can be found in Fire South, The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature and A Common Well Journal.
J. Andrew Briseño, associate English professor, explained the mission and goal of the Cane River Reading Series. “We exist to bring regional and national talent to the NSU community to share fiction, poetry, nonfiction and other literary arts,” Briseño said.
Kathryn Sanders, a senior history major, expressed what stood out to her at the event. “I like the way Brianna narrates and how poetic she is. That’s a very unique way to write,” Sanders said.
Sanders explained that she thinks events like this are important for NSU students. “I think it’s very important for us to see successful writers that are alumni of this school, especially for creative majors and minors. It’s encouraging to see that a career in writing is possible for us,” Sanders stated.
Through the presence of talented artists like Brianna Corley, the Cane River Reading Series aims to keep literature alive and students inspired.
