NWACC, in partnership with the Bentonville Library, hosted a keynote event in White Auditorium on March 5, titled, “Connected By Story: How Fiction Old and New Shapes Who We Are.”
The session with author Travis Simpson brought together students and members of the community to explore the power of storytelling in shaping identity, fostering empathy, and encouraging meaningful connections.
Simpson, recent Printz Award recipient and editor of a Russellville newspaper, shared his journey as a writer, emphasizing the challenges of the craft while encouraging attendees to pursue their dreams, express their feelings, and remain attentive to the emotional well-being of those around them.
Drawing on his experience as a sports reporter, Simpson reflected on how telling others’ stories helped him understand how men express and suppress their feelings, connecting these personal experiences to the broader societal impact of storytelling.
“Little boys are usually told that crying is for little girls,” he said, “so when they grow up they keep the tears (for) just when someone dies, but on the inside they are drowning slowly.” Simpson explained how societal expectations can discourage men from sharing emotions, which may lead to long-term mental and physical risks.
During the event, Simpson shared excerpts from his book, Strong Like You, giving attendees a glimpse into his writing process and the themes of empathy, courage, and self-expression.
The keynote was followed by a Q&A panel, where participants asked questions about:
- Advice for beginning writers
- How to teach boys to express their emotions
- Ways to motivate children to read more
- Tips for starting their first book.
Emmanuel Hernandez, a media student attending the event created a video story about Simpson’s presentation. Hernandez said one of Simpson’s main themes was the importance of connecting young people with reading. “Overall, the presentation highlighted how reading and storytelling are powerful tools that can help individuals grow emotionally, challenge social expectations, and create stronger connections between people,” he said.
Simpson’s biography on Muck Rack provides more information about his journalism work. “T.L. Simpson has been a journalist since 2012 primarily at The Courier newspaper in Russellville, Arkansas — a newspaper tracing its roots back almost 150 years,” “He began his career covering high school and collegiate sports but soon began covering crime, interviewing celebrities, writing feature stories and opinion columns. Many of his stories have been picked up by The Associated Press, and his semi-regular slice-of-life column has been published nationally. In 2022, he was promoted to managing editor. Simpson is the author of “Strong Like You” and “Cope Field.”
