I have been a long time (several months at least) reader of Mariann Dashwood’s blog. Recently she has started writing a novel about life on the Bozeman Institute scene. Suffice it to say that I miss living there more than ever. She is able to portray something that is perhaps unique to Bozeman Institute, or at least to Mormondom. It helps that I know her, lived in Bozeman, and am Mormon, but I think I would enjoy it anyway. I’m very proud of my little Morgan—I knew she was a good artist, I didn’t know she was also an engaging writer.

Fear not, oh critics of Mormon cinema. This is not another Singles Ward (a movie at which she specifically pokes fun), nor is it a seminary video. In fact she surprised me. She is obviously not trying to impress anyone, either the Mormons, or the anti’s. She simply writes what she feels. Or so it seems. I especially enjoy her style, which is quite tongue-in-cheek, but full of vibrant description. How could you not like an author who doesn’t think twice about writing, “I kicked rational me in the teeth until she shut up.”?

I wonder what the other Bozemanites think. Though the stories are no doubt fictional in the details, I do recognize several of the characters. I have been out of the loop too long to recognize them all though. I wonder if I would recognize myself. Probably not unless Yddad Kcam Castle, or a living room full of computers were mentioned specifically. I don’t think I have not yet come to the level of self-awareness such a feat would require. I would love to know how I was perceived.