The Bowers Writers House’s last event of the semester was held April 12. At 4 p.m., Robert Dean Lurie hosted a craft talk titled “No Certainty Attached.”

Lurie gave insights on finding a passion and pursuing it in any way possible.

He incorporated his love for music into his writing and enjoys the products that bloom from the combination.

Students and community members came out to hear what Lurie had to say about his books.

Community member Michelle Clapper said that the event caught her attention.

“Lurie’s intense connection with music” jumped out at her.

Lurie is the author of “No Certainty Attached: Steve Kilbey and The Church” and “We Can Be Heroes: The Radical Individualism of David Bowie.”

His primary form of writing is nonfiction, including aspects of journalism. He has a master of fine arts from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

When he is not teaching, he is pursuing his life as a musician. He has produced and performed on the tribute album The Dark Side of Hall and Oates.

Lurie is currently working on his third book, “R.E.M.: The Early Years.” The book is set to be released in fall 2018.

During the craft talk, Lurie specifically highlighted the importance of having an interest in the subject you’re writing about.

He stated that he has a personal connection to his writing and it fueled the creative process, even through nonfiction writing.

One of his favorite bands, The Church, inspired him to take interest in writing as a career. They were not a well-known band in the U.S., so he was afraid that the book would not sell.

However, the music motivated him to give it a shot and his book, “No Certainty Attached: Steve Kilbey and The Church,” ended up doing very well.

Lurie pointed out to the audience that if he did not have the fascination with music that his book would have never come to be.

As Lurie discussed the do’s and don’ts of interviewing, the audience told Lurie some of the things that they thought a journalist should do, such as researching the person before interviewing them and having questions prepared.

Lurie agreed that those were important, but the number one rule that he follows is framing the interview like a conversation.

“If you get to know them as a person, instead of attempting to pry information out of them, they’re going to want to open up to you,” he said. “If you stand back and listen to what others have to say in everyday life, this will come easy to you.”

Lurie then recalled the experience of interviewing Steve Kilbey when he was working on his book. Kilbey and Lurie had many similarities in their lives, and the similarities made it easier for them to talk.

The similarities that they shared led to Kilbey opening up completely, giving Lurie all the details he needed to complete his book.

As an interviewer, Lurie says that you have a responsibility to get the scoop, but it is important to remember that the person you’re interviewing is trusting you with their information.

“When writing nonfiction, you must remember that you’re writing about actual people,” he said. “You must be sure to show all the dimensions of a person. Tell the truth without being a jerk.”

Sophomore Kaileigh Tinnin says that her major takeaway of the night was when Lurie told the audience that he was still partially afraid of taking risks in his writing.

Lurie mentioned that as a writer, a person should always start with what they are comfortable with, but should be sure to eventually expand.

He himself is nervous about pursuing fictional writing. He says that although he is apprehensive, he will certainly attempt fiction one day.

“Balance the sure thing with taking a risk. You don’t have to leap from your sense of comfort to branch out,” he stated.

“Despite all of his success with his first book, he remains humble as an author,” Tinnin reflected. “It gives me a new look on how intriguing it can be to write about a topic you’re not familiar with.”

At the 7 p.m. event, Lurie read a sample of his new book, “R.E.M.: The Early Years.”

Lurie describes his book as a “deep-dive into the origins of a great American band that has been in the works since 2012 and will see release in fall 2018 from Verse Chorus Press.”

He is excited to share the entire book with the public this coming fall.