Decorah High School students get a chance to talk with an author

Author Geoff Herbach shares how story progression works with DHS students

Author Geoff Herbach has written several books including a young adult series "Stupid Fast."  Herbach shared with DHS writing students on Thursday how he became an author and how story progression works.

In one exercise, students were encouraged to close their eyes and think of the angriest person they know. Students then described the body language of that angry person. Next he had them think of the happiest person they know and describe that person's body language. Students were encouraged to think of the characteristics of their characters. Herbach encouraged students how to get unstuck when writing. He told them to think about the next fear the character will go through and describe that fear.

Herbach's favorite part of writing is finishing the story. He loves it when the published book is out in the world. Herbach is passionate about creative writing.

Herbach teaches creative writing at Minnesota State in Mankato.

DHS students work on writing exercises with author Geoff Herbach