This document introduces David Arenstam, an American novelist and teacher, who will be giving a Skype interview to a French class. It provides biographical details about Arenstam, including that he was born in Massachusetts but now lives in Maine, had a career in software before pursuing writing and teaching, and has published one novel with another forthcoming. It directs students to analyze a short excerpt, prepare questions for Arenstam, and lists resources for further research.

1. David Arenstam
Skype Interview by
Lycée international Nelson Mandela, Nantes, France
American OIB class.

2. Introduction by David Arenstam
Thank you for inviting me to be
a small part of your year in
school. For as long as I can
remember, I have been in love
with stories and literature and
I'm proud to call myself a
novelist and teacher. I hope
you enjoy my work as we get to
know each other a little better.

3. David Arenstam
David Arenstam was born in the foothills of the Berkshires in
Massachusetts and raised by the sea in Plymouth, but he has
spent most of his adult life along the shores of the Saco River
in Maine. After starting and running a small data processing
and software firm for nearly 20 years, he found his real
passion and voice in teaching and writing.
Never one to really sit still, over the years he has studied
Mathematics, Literature, Education, writing, and many other
forms of technology. As he often tells his students, “the world
just might be the greatest classroom you’ll ever enter. Take a
minute and look around, you’ll be surprised at what you see
and the lessons you’ll learn.”
Arenstam is a proud faculty member at Thornton Academy,
and writes stories regularly for local newspapers, magazines,
and online media companies. Along the way, he continues to
study and most recently completed a graduate degree in
journalism at Harvard. His first novel, "Homecoming: A
soldier's story of loyalty, courage, and redemption" will be
published this year, along with a collection short stories.
Arenstam’s books and stories may be found at Amazon.com
and many of the local bookstores.

4. • Analyze the excerpt.
• Define the genre of this
short story. What are
the major elements of
this genre? Can you find
them in this excerpt.
• Jot down your notes on
this document.
Excerpt

5. Analysis: reminder
 Literary devices,
 Themes, motifs,
Genre,
 Tone, diction,
syntax,
 Allusions,
 Imagery and
 symbolism…
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6. Skype Interview
• Prepare questions about
 David Arenstam,
 His influences,
 His creative process,
 The excerpt you have studied…
 Be creative, original and personal!
 Share your questions and ideas on this
Google doc.
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7. Bibliography
• David Arenstam on Facebook
• David Arenstam on Twitter
• GoodReads
• My Secret Maine
• Find Maine Writers
• Interview with David Arenstam
• Online tools (Final project)
• The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary
Terms, second ed. (Murfin, Ray) / Literary
terms / Meter
• Devices
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