02/06/2025
To be a storyteller is to be an expert of narratives, and to understand how they function. Nicholas Kaler’s (he/him) long-standing passion has been in fantasy; “Regardless of the medium, I've been drawn to the genre of adventure and magic, of good and evil.” This motivation to improve his writing skills is what brought him to OSU-Cascades. “I realized I had a growing interest in storytelling so I sought out programs to aid me in developing my skills for a successful career in writing…I was drawn in by the flexibility, first rate professors, and the reputation of the school, and upon acceptance into the program, the rest was history.”
Nicholas’ goal is to have his thesis paper published as a novel. “During the creation process, I have learned much about the inclusion of plot, the details that build the setting, and I have worked to hone my skills on character development.” While there have been a few challenging courses like poetry, Nicholas has faced the challenge head-on. Creative writing requires students to have two key faculty members: a mentor and a thesis advisor. Nicholas’ mentor is Professor Kimberly Johnson, and his thesis advisor is Jeff Fearnside.
Being an out of state student has been the biggest challenge for Nicholas. “This has led to an ongoing process of attempting to balance my school and later career life with my home and family life.” Outside of academics, he has found enjoyment and writing inspiration in hobbies like video games, reading, and watching movies.
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