The relationship between student and teacher is clearly defined: The student will write, spending hours laboring over research papers, scientific essays or spool papers. The teacher will read the final product. English teacher 'Asta Bowen, however, ventured into the role traditionally reserved for students with the Jan. 13 debut of her first novel, Hungry for Home.
"(The book) is a novel, but at the same time it isn't a novel," explained Bowen. "The book is about 95 percent true. I didn't invent any of the major events."
Hungry for Home is a "piece of fiction based on fact" recounting the tale of one wolf family's search for their homeland after relocation. Bowen started the book in 1991 after reading an article in the Daily Interlake of the descendants of Hungry for Home's main character, Marta. Believing that "this story just had to be told," Bowen began research for the book.
"The day-to-day details of the book are taken from what is scientifically plausible," said Bowen. "My only part was filling in the gaps."
Her novel is not Bowen's first attempt at professional writing. Since 1988, she has written a bi-weekly column for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
The subject of the column "varies from week to week," often revolving around human rights issues or natural resources.
Although she describes writing as something "fundamental to who I am," Bowen has chosen also to continue teaching.
"They're both really important to me," explained Bowen. "When I was just writing I wanted something else. I wasn't balanced, and teaching seems to be that balance. It's stimulating to be with young people. I both give and get. I wouldn't want to do it any other way."
Bowen has attempted to integrate her writing into her teaching curriculum and has had her students submit writing to a publisher.
Junior Janet Howerton is one of Bowen's students who recently received a response from a publisher. In October, Howerton submitted a piece of creative writing to Merlyn's Pen, a magazine featuring high school work.
The magazine "said (my piece) was good and gave me some suggestions to fix it and resubmit it," said Howerton. "I was pretty happy to get a response."
Added Howerton: "It was a good project because I want to be a journalist and this helped me learn what people expect."
Bowen's advice to aspiring authors is simple: "Write! All it takes is a pen and paper. I believe everyone has at least one book in them, and whether it gets written is up to the person.
"Be true to your vision."