Local actor and writer Jim Farrell will be the speaker at the Lanier Librarys Brown Bag Lunch event on Tuesday, May 18 at noon. The program is free and everyone is welcome and, if they wish, they are encouraged to bring a bag lunch to enjoy while they listen to this interesting speaker.

A native of Washington DC, Jim Farrell began his career as a teacher of creative writing, before pursuing his interest in live performance. Since that time he has worked as a full time actor in New York and as a singer in Los Angeles.

Since moving to the Carolinas, he has taken up the pen as a playwright, poet, and essayist. He has written short stories, essays, and two childrens plays, one of which, The Magical History Tour, is a musical about the history of Polk County. Also of local interest is his full length documentary Kitty Hawk to Computers about the life and career of Tryon legend, Colonel Norme D. Frost. He has also written two novels, two volumes of poetry and a CD of 15 of his songs. By the end of this summer he hopes to complete his second novel, After the Hurricane, and his fourth volume of poetry, Avalanche Lilies, and No Fear, his latest collection of original songs.

About his creative processes, Farrell says To create a work of art is a blue collar process. You have to apply a lot of force and focus for an extended period of time and trust that the outcome was worth the effort.

When not writing or performing, Farrell runs Farrellworks, which provides services in landscaping, tree planting and removal, and home and office relocation.

Some of Farrells work can be seen and heard on his web site, www.farrellworks.com.