Date of Award

Fall 12-14-2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts - English

Department

English

First Advisor

Mark E. Sanders

Second Advisor

Sara Parks

Third Advisor

Lauren Burrow

Fourth Advisor

Bridget Adams

Abstract

The vignettes in this collection are memoir essays connected by the theme of hit-and-runs – i.e., random life encounters in which people share bits of themselves and leave subsequent lasting impressions. Resonating with themes of identity and belonging, overcoming obstacles and taking risks, the chronological throughline visits unique locations around the world, and frequently “hits” historical events, while tracing the narrator’s coming-of-age and spiritual journey from the mountains of Appalachia to the streets of Prague and home to Houston, as she “runs” with carnies and psychics, hurricane refugees, lovers, and predators from whom she must escape. Interspersed in these memoirs are lyrics from songs – a soundtrack for life – sharing with the audience an auditory impact of the recollection. Each of these hit-and-runs are true to experience, with changes to names only if needed to respect the privacy of those involved.

Key words: narrative, coming of age, spirituality, creative nonfiction,

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Included in

Nonfiction Commons

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