The Story of Your Life

Writer creates the “Story of Your Life” on the spot at upcoming event at “From My Shelf Books and Gifts,” Wellsboro, PA.

In a unique twist on street artist character-sketching, Declan Synott, a poet and writer will write “the story of your life” in 100 words or less in an “on the spot” special appearance, Friday, October 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. at “From My Shelf Books and Gifts, 7 East Avenue, Wellsboro, PA, as part of Downtown Wellsboro’s First Friday Celebration. Synott, aka Kevin Clark, is a retired professor of English and creative writing, most recently from Elmira College and has published poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction in a variety of journals and anthologies.

“What I will attempt to do,” he said, “is provide a snapshot of one’s life based on a brief interview and other observations and perceptions.” Synott will use his favorite 1929 Remington manual typewriter to create “on the spot” vignettes, poems, or living eulogies for the curious or the impressionable. “Andy Warhol famously said we will each have 15 minutes of fame, yet these creations (suitable for framing and signed by the author) may be treasured keepsakes for years or you can crumble them up and dispose of them properly.”

Synott adds, “There’s a suggested donation of $5 per life story; $10 if you’d like a happy ending.”

Originally from Pittsburgh, Declan Synott now calls Wellsboro home and has a B.A. in Communication from Slippery Rock University, a Masters in English Literature from Bucknell University, and an M.F.A. in creative writing.