CREATIVE PAIR BACK TO SOUTHEAST FOR HOMECOMING

Billie Letts isn't your every-day author.

After all, few writers would use an Oklahoma Wal-Mart store as a backdrop for a novel.

Letts' book, "Where the Heart Is," deals with a pregnant teen-ager whose boyfriend abandons her at a Wal-Mart store.

The girl, Novalee Nation, has no money, family or friends to call on for help.

"She is really stranded there so she begins to live secretly in Wal-Mart," Letts, 58, said of the plot.

"I think it is the Wal-Mart hook that probably sold this book," she said.

Both Letts and her actor husband, Dennis, live in the small town of Durant, Okla., which has a Wal-Mart store.

"I am an Okie born and bred," said Letts.

Both Billie and Dennis Letts have ties to Southeast Missouri State University. Billie Letts is a 1969 graduate of Southeast. They already were married when Dennis Letts taught English at Southeast from 1966 to 1969.

They will return to Cape Girardeau next week to participate in the university's homecoming activities.

The couple will speak at a Common Hour program Wednesday. They will discuss "Screenplays: From Script to Screen" at noon at Crisp Hall Auditorium.

On Thursday Billie Letts will talk about her writing, including her acclaimed novel. The program begins at 7 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom.

She will sign copies of her book from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at Barnes & Noble bookstore.

As Billie Letts sees it, Wal-Mart stores are more than centers of economic activity in the nation's small towns.

"It is also a social center," she said in a telephone interview.

Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton is a minor character in Letts' book.

She has loved to write ever since she was a child. "I had written for a long time,' she said.

Her first published work appeared in "The Potboiler," a campus magazine at Southeast that featured short stories and poetry.

Over the years she wrote short stories and screenplays. Hollywood has had options on several of Letts' screenplays, but none of them has been made into movies.

She and her husband also wrote a play.

Her novel began as a short story. Both she and her husband taught at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She worked on the novel for two years while still teaching creative writing full time.

Today she devotes her time to writing. She recently sold her publisher a second novel on the basis of five chapters. She has until July to finish the book.

It, too, will be set in the familiar surroundings of a small Oklahoma town.

Like Billie, Dennis Letts began his current career in mid-life. He was about 50 when he started acting professionally around 1984.

He landed his first role as a result of attending an audition seminar with casting directors.

"I am a character guy," he said of his 35 to 40 television and film roles. Most of his work has been in movies on television and the Big Screen.

He has appeared in a number of films, including "A Perfect World" with Kevin Costner and Clint Eastwood, "Passenger 57" with Wesley Snipes and "Rush" with Jennifer Jason Leigh and Sam Elliott.

His TV credits include "Walker, Texas Ranger," "Dallas," and "Wild Texas Wind" with Dolly Parton and Gary Busey.

He has appeared in theater productions too.

Dennis Letts loves the stage. "About my favorite is community theater, but it doesn't pay as well."

Dennis Letts said he typically works on three to four movies a year.

SEMO homecoming schedule

Tuesday, Oct. 22: Block party on campus from 5-8 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 23: Billie and Dennis Letts will discuss "Screenplays: From Script to Screen," noon, Crisp Hall Auditorium.

Thursday, Oct. 24: Billie Letts will discuss writing and her novel, "Where the Heart Is," 7 p.m., University Center Ballroom.

Kevin Nealon, a former cast member of "Saturday Night Live," will perform, 8 p.m., Academic Hall Auditorium.

Friday, Oct. 25: Rick Borchelt, speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore, will speak, 11 a.m., University Center.

Open house with university president Dr. Dale Nitzschke, 2-4 p.m., Academic Hall.

Alumni Merit Award Dinner, 7 p.m., Show Me Center.

Comedy show, 8 p.m., Academic Hall Auditorium.

Saturday, Oct. 26: Copper Dome Breakfast, 7 a.m., Show Me Center.

Homecoming parade, 9 a.m., begins at Capaha Park and proceeds east on Broadway.

All-Alumni luncheon, noon, Show Me Center, class of 1946 will be recognized.

"Give My Regards to Broadway" Big Band Dinner Dance, 8 p.m., Show Me Center.