Meet the Grad: Regina McMenamin Lloyd.

On Sunday, July 16, 2017, Hamline's Creative Writing Programs will host a Graduate Recognition ceremony to honor all the students who have completed their studies and will be receiving an MFA from Hamline University.

During the months of June and July we will be featuring our soon-to-be alumni as they look back on their time at Hamline University. Today's featured grad is Regina McMenamin Lloyd. Regina lives in Mullica Hill, New Jersey.

What do you do when you’re not working on packets?

I work for my family’s business. I’m a single mom with two kids and a dog. I love artistic endeavors, I especially love crafting, mixed media, collage, and glitter, especially glitter. Did I say glitter? I also spend as much time as I can at the beach!

How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program?

My undergrad mentor Lisa Jahn Clough kept telling me I was going to Hamline! I told her time and again my kids could not survive 10 days without me. She knew I belonged at Hamline, she brought it up at least a half dozen times. One thing she said stuck with me, “You can leave them for 10 days, and be there for the everyday.”

What was your writing experience prior to entering the program?

I had a bunch of short stories and poems published. I once got published on Smithsonian’s Website which felt pretty awesome! 

What do especially remember about your first residency?

I remember over and over again, thinking these people all love what I love! No one is doing that picture book eye roll, or pretending that the talking duck doesn’t matter!

Have you focused on any one form (PB, novel, nonfiction; graphic novel) or age group in your writing? Tried a form you never thought you’d try?

I think I have probably been too sporadic! I have written three first drafts of novels and a handful of good picture books (and a bunch of really crappy ones.) I love picture books! I wish I had tried more non-fiction but an MFA can’t last your whole life or can it? Is there a forever MFA—can I get funding for that?

Tell us about your Creative Thesis.

My Creative Thesis is called McTruths. It’s set in the early nineties, my protagonist, Fiona is abused and objectified by the men in her life. She takes all of her value from the attention of boys, but is also really uncomfortable with her place in the world. Fiona will have to find a way to separate her sense of self from the persona men have given her if she is going to want more out of life. The novel is very much about the self-actualization of a victim into a well-rounded woman.

What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies?

I have fallen less in love with my words. I know that doesn’t seem like a positive, but it is. I used to fall in love with the phrasing and would sacrifice the story because I liked the way a good line read. I have learned to throw away anything that doesn’t serve the story. I used to get hung up on trying to keep everything I had written, now if it isn’t working—I cut it.

Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program?

Work harder. Write every day. Don’t get hung up. Change your process. When you need inspiration, go to nature, lay on the grass or the beach. Think through the whole story—not the part you are stuck on. Be open to change, play with ideas, Remember you are neither the best, nor the worst. Also, your mentor here will take your talking duck seriously, where else in life will you find that?

Meet the Grad: Andrea Knight Jakeman

On Sunday, July 16, 2017, Hamline's Creative Writing Programs will host a Graduate Recognition ceremony to honor all the students who have completed their studies and will be receiving an MFA from Hamline University.

During the months of June and July we will be featuring our soon-to-be alumni as they look back on their time at Hamline University. Today's featured grad is Andrea Knight Jakeman. Andrea lives in Minnetonka, MN.

What do you do when you’re not working on packets? 

I'm a freelance book editor, like a book doctor -- I love helping authors get their manuscripts ready to  query. But I'm also super into blues dancing, biking to the farmer's market, buying unfamiliar foods at the Asian market, and making recipes with ingredients like coriander and ginger.

How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program? 

I was applying to some more traditional-type schools, and then my husband and I realized we'd be moving to Minnesota, so I did a bit of searching and dug this up. Totally the best choice for me, of the schools I was accepted into -- I love how focused and practical this program has been.

What was your writing experience prior to entering the program? 

I started creative writing shortly after getting married six years ago, thinking I'd be amazing at it, since I was amazing at other types of writing (journalism, tech writing, etc.). I was decidedly unamazing. But I was quite determined, so I formed a writing-critique group, read a bunch of craft books, went to some conventions, listened to some podcasts, half-drafted a couple of terrible novels...and eventually, when I realized I was just never going to get that good without professional help (or divine intervention), applied to MFA programs.

What do especially remember about your first residency? 

Well, there was a good deal of hubbub around a certain lecture... :) But mostly I remember feeling kind of found. I was suddenly not the biggest YA/fantasy geek in the room, and it was not just acceptable to love what I love, it was downright rad. Not a bad feeling, my friends. Not a bad feeling at all.

Have you focused on any one form (PB, novel, nonfiction; graphic novel) or age group in your writing? Tried a form you never thought you’d try? 

I've focused mostly on novel (specifically YA fantasy), but I also drafted twenty or so picture books, which I never anticipated prior to the program. It was good for me, though -- I tend to write intensely plotted, unnecessarily complicated stories, and PBs can be neither of those things, so it helped me focus and pare down.

Tell us about your Creative Thesis. 

No. Ha. Kidding. (I enjoy refusing perfectly rational requests. Stop signs are hard for me.)

It's called The Ferry of the Gods. Ife Kehari, a slave in an ancient-Egypt-like world, dies betraying his master, the prince, to gain his freedom, and is sentenced to the worst possible afterlife. Not believing he deserves it, Ife sells his memories to the trickster god (and becomes his slave) to buy long-term passage aboard the ferry to the underworld; this will allow him to bide his time until he can plead with the death goddess for a new afterlife. However, he accidentally breaks his contract by letting a living soul aboard -- a royal, no less. He has to decide if he will help her rescue her dead brother's soul, erasing some of his guilt for the life he ended -- but also aiding the country that enslaved and killed him.

What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies? 

I'm more confident. I feel more comfortable making choices instead of being overwhelmed by the infinite possibilities in front of me. I've also gotten better at making sure each scene has an actual point -- that it's not just witty dialogue or whatever, but that it independently pushes the story forward.

Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program? 

Most people aren't naturally awesome at creative writing. (Inventive, yes. Original, absolutely. Logical, quite often. But all this and more? Unlikely.) If you want this to be your life, and especially if you want it to be your job, assume you are the rule, not the exception. Take the time to educate yourself. Your readers deserve good writing, and you deserve the great pleasure of giving it to them.

Meet the Grad: Jan LaRoche

On Sunday, July 16, 2017, Hamline's Creative Writing Programs will host a Graduate Recognition ceremony to honor all the students who have completed their studies and will be receiving an MFA from Hamline University.

During the months of June and July we will be featuring our soon-to-be alumni as they look back on their time at Hamline University. Today's featured grad is Jan LaRoche. Jan lives in East Moline, Illinois.

What do you do when you’re not working on packets?

I am a teen services librarian at the Moline Public Library in Moline, IL. I have an amazing husband and two wonderful children. We love to watch movies and play board games, and spend as much time as possible outdoors—camping, fishing, hiking, boating, etc.

How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program?

I was looking for information about MFA programs online and came across a list on the Poets & Writers site. When I came to Hamline’s entry I did a double take because I actually knew several of the faculty names. (Swati was listed first, so I give her the most credit.) I had no idea there were MFA programs specifically designed for writing for children and teens. The more I read about the program, the more I knew it would be a perfect fit for me. And it has been!

What was your writing experience prior to entering the program?

I’ve dabbled in writing my whole life, sometimes more seriously than others. I completed my first novel several years back, followed by a couple more over the years. Despite this, I knew I needed more help in crafting these stories into something publishable. Online classes, workshops, and writers conferences only went so far.

What do you especially remember about your first residency?

First and foremost, how kind, welcoming, and supportive everyone was. Faculty, staff, graduate assistants, and fellow students were the most amazing people I’d ever met. I think I still harbored the belief that “real” writers were somehow above the average human. Then Anne Ursu admitted she didn’t know what the theme of Breadcrumbs was until long after she’d written it. I began to realize, and finally believe, that it was actually possible for me to achieve my dream. And it would be a lot of hard work that I would enjoy every minute of.

Have you focused on any one form (PB, novel, nonfiction; graphic novel) or age group in your writing? Tried a form you never thought you’d try?

When I started, my only real interest was young adult fiction. I decided this program was the best place to try other things, so I spent some time on short stories, picture books, and nonfiction. I learned enough to know I’m still most comfortable with YA.

Tell us about your Creative Thesis.

On her way to take the train to visit her father, Iris and her sister, Violet, are in a car crash. After that, everything changes. Iris starts having nightmares about the train station she never made it to. Violet is withdrawn and evasive. And their mother starts dating Hollis, whose strangeness seems impossible to even think about. When Iris finds out Hollis and Violet are keeping a secret from her, she is determined to discover the truth.

What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies?

I feel this program has helped me add depth to my writing. Before I was mostly concerned with the plot—what happens next. Now I’m constantly asking questions. Why does my character do that? How does she feel about it? How does that affect the other characters? And REVISION! Lots and lots of revision.

Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program?

This program has helped me grow so much. As a writer, yes, but in so many other ways as well. Be open to new ideas, new ways of looking at things, and new opportunities—even when they disguise themselves as challenges.

 

Meet the Grad: Blair Thornburgh

On Sunday, July 16, 2017, Hamline's Creative Writing Programs will host a Graduate Recognition ceremony to honor all the students who have completed their studies and will be receiving an MFA from Hamline University. 

During the months of June and July we will be featuring our soon-to-be alumni as they look back on their time at Hamline University. Today's featured grad is: Blair Thornburgh. Blair lives in the Philadelphia. Find Blair on Twitter @ATallOrder and online at blairthornburgh.com. 

What do you do when you’re not working on packets? 

I’m an editor at Quirk Books here in Philadelphia, where I work on fiction and non-fiction for adults and kids. I do all the feminist books. Other than that, I work on writing my own books (Who’s That Girl came out July 11, tell your friends!!) and try to make time to meet with my buds for pickletinis at Tattooed Mom’s. I wish I could say I had real hobbies. Does watching HGTV at the gym count?

How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program? 

MFAC alum Peter Pearson bullied me into it. Well, okay, I was extremely willing to be convinced. I think I finished my application about two days after that.

What was your writing experience prior to entering the program? I had done a bunch of NaNoWriMo, written all through high school and college, and had an agent but had not (yet!) sold a book. But I never studied writing in school (I majored in medieval studies—yes, it’s a thing) so I was an extreme newbie when it came to the workshop experience.

What do especially remember about your first residency? 

How SUPER FAST I made friends. Like, maybe within the first night? It was amazing just to meet ~my people~ and be able to talk about children’s books for ten hours straight without everyone rolling their eyes or changing the subject or asking me for marketing objectives.

Have you focused on any one form (PB, novel, nonfiction; graphic novel) or age group in your writing? 

Tried a form you never thought you’d try? I came in writing contemporary YA, but tried my hand at both historical MG, and non-fiction picture books, which I NEVER thought I would’ve done before this. (And not to brag or anything, but I just sold the picture book I workshopped in January! The system works!)

Tell us about your Creative Thesis. 

THE KING OF JERKSVILLE is about 18-year-old Theodore “Ted” Sandborn Dunker V, a hapless slacker and fan of obscure French cinema who finds himself elected mayor of his hometown (Shurksville, PA, population 3,800) after signing up on the ballot for extra credit in his Civics class. Hijinks ensue! (Fun fact: did you know that mayors get police badges?)

What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies? 

Every single advisor I’ve had has been like “your work needs more emotion, Blair,” and I’ve always been like “but feelings are dumb!!!!” Still, I’ve been trying more and more not to skate by on charm and to give my stories actual depth so that they don’t skew too farcical. Beyond that, I think I’ve been writing LESS. My first picture book was 800 words long. The most recent one was 249.

Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program? 

Well, you should go. It’s just a good idea. You will not get this rigorous or thoughtful an education in writing anywhere else. Hamline will get you where you’re going faster. It is simply the best program of its type; don’t waste time anywhere else. Also, get started on those annotated bibliographies ASAP (they can really stack up!!) and do not be afraid. Everyone is here to learn and we all want you to come join us!

Meet the Grad: Christy L. Reid

On Sunday, July 16, 2017, Hamline's Creative Writing Programs will host a Graduate Recognition ceremony to honor all the students who have completed their studies and will be receiving an MFA from Hamline University. 

During the months of June and July we will be featuring our soon-to-be alumni as they look back on their time at Hamline University. Today's featured grad is: Christy L. Reid. Christy lives in Faribault, Minnesota.

What do you do when you're not working on packets?

I'm deaf-blind and depend on braille technology to do all reading and writing. It takes me more time to work on packets, compared to hearing-sighted folks, although I enjoy the work. But when my hands aren't busy reading or writing, I spend time with my two younger sons and my husband.

How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program?

A deaf-blind friend who lives in Minnesota told me about it when I still lived in Missouri and was considering moving to MN. And then, after moving to Minnesota, an employment service, Stonearch, who has a contract with mN State Services for the Blind, helped me to get application information to the Hamline MFAC program.

What was your writing experience prior to entering the program?

After my first son was born -- I have three boys -- I signed up for a correspondence course in children's literature. It was a basic course, but I worked one-on-one with an instructor who was also an author of children's books and it paved the way in my interest in writing for children. over the years, I practiced writing stories for kids and in 2012,  published my first book simon The guide dog.

What do especially remember about your first residency?

Everyone -- faculty and students -- said not to worry about asking stupid questions. I never felt inferior, I always felt like an equal and that was a terrific feeling.

Have you focused on any one form (PB, novel, nonfiction; graphic novel) or age group in your writing? Tried a form you never thought you'd try?

During my first three semesters,I mostly worked on picture books and an early middle-grade novel. But I wanted to take advantage of my fifth residency writing workshop, and try something new -- a YA fantasy story.

Tell us about your Creative Thesis.

It's a complete novel, a contemporary middle-grade story, 28 chapters long, called The Hunter. It's about the struggles of a deaf-blind eighth-grader, Hunter Henderson, at public school and his wants for friendships and adventures.

What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies?

I've learned to use stronger verbs, avoid adverbs as much as possible, write descriptions that show emotion, rather than using telling words, deciding if a scene is effective and helps to move the story along, and techniques for adding tension, like slowing down in some places and adding more details and using shorter sentences.

Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program?

If you look at the program as a whole, all the work that's required, it''s an overwhelming and crazy idea. But if you take it one step at a time and see how much you've learned about writing for children as you work on each packet and get your advisor's feedback, it's so exciting and awesome. You'll want more and more and soon, you'll be there graduating, too.

Meet the Grad: Barbara Roberts

On Sunday, July 16, 2017, Hamline's Creative Writing Programs will host a Graduate Recognition ceremony to honor all the students who have completed their studies and will be receiving an MFA from Hamline University. 

During the months of June and July we will be featuring our soon-to-be alumni as they look back on their time at Hamline University. Today's featured grad is: Barbara Roberts. Barbara lives in Virginia (though she will ALWAYS consider myself a Californian).

What do you do when you’re not working on packets?

During these two years, if I wasn’t working on packets, I was reading, watching basketball games (especially our daughter’s games at Dickinson College), walking, reading, attempting to train our young springer spaniel, Riley (aka Destructo-Dog), gardening, reading, and doing a little traveling.

How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program?

After reading many of Gary D. Schmidt’s books, I looked up his bio and discovered that he taught in the MFAC program at Hamline. Then I went to the Hamline website and saw all the rest of the faculty. I knew I had to be part of this program.

What was your writing experience prior to entering the program?

I spent fifteen years as a marketing and corporate communications writer and also published a number of freelance articles and essays. Even though this doesn’t sound anything like writing for children, I think it was actually good training, because I had to learn to write for many different, specific audiences, and if I was ghostwriting an article for someone else, I had to write in a different voice. I also spent five years as a book reviewer for the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database. (I even reviewed one of our faculty member’s books – Margaux With and X, by Ron Koertge – if you haven’t read it, you should.)

What do especially remember about your first residency?

I remember feeling like I’d come home. I hadn’t been part of an engaged writing community for many years, and though I felt overwhelmed at times during my first residency, I also knew I was exactly where I wanted to be.

Have you focused on any one form (PB, novel, nonfiction; graphic novel) or age group in your writing? Tried a form you never thought you’d try?

I spent most of my time at Hamline working on middle grade fiction, though I also spent a semester with Marsha Chall, working on picture books, and also worked with Claire and Mary Logue on two nonfiction picture books. I hadn’t tried writing picture books before I came to Hamline and I’m so glad I took the opportunity to try them, because I had a lot of fun.

Tell us about your Creative Thesis.

My Creative Thesis is a middle grade novel called OUTSIDE SHOTS. It’s about a 13-year-old girl named Nikki Doyle who loves playing basketball. She’s always been the best point guard in county league, but when she’s selected to play on an elite-level team, all the girls are bigger and faster than her, and Nikki is no longer the best. She struggles to find a new way to compete at this higher level of play, as well as a new way to fit in. There’s also a story thread that has to do with genetics and inherited ability vs. individual effort.

What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies?

I’ve become much less frightened by a blank computer screen. That is, I’ve gained confidence that if I keep noodling around with ideas, something will start to work itself out. And I’ve learned so much about the process of revision. Now I think of it as a kind of layering process, rather than as a grueling chore. Also I found that I love working on picture books, both fiction and nonfiction. The tight word count is so challenging, forcing you to pare away everything that isn’t absolutely crucial. It’s great training for any kind of writing.

Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program?

Talk to everyone, including the faculty. And be ready to try new things and different ways of doing things. Even if one of your advisers suggests you make a change that you don’t initially agree with, try it anyway. You’ll learn something valuable. And get to work on the reading list! Getting ahead on the reading list before your first packet is due will relieve a lot of time pressure. But mostly, try to relax and enjoy yourself a bit – this program flies by so quickly. Soak it all in.

Meet the Grad: Lily LaMotte

On Sunday, July 16, 2017, Hamline's Creative Writing Programs will host a Graduate Recognition ceremony to honor all the students who have completed their studies and will be receiving an MFA from Hamline University. 

During the months of June and July we will be featuring our soon-to-be alumni as they look back on their time at Hamline University. Today's featured grad is: Lily LaMotte. Lily lives in the Seattle area. Find Lily on Twitter @lilylamotte and online at Notewordies.com.

What do you do when you’re not working on packets? 

I have two children--one in college and one graduating from high school. Being a student again, we had a mutual world of assignments and due dates.

Just as I started the Hamline MFAC, my husband and I started a music and writing center. He teaches guitar, electric bass, piano, drums, and pedal steel guitar. I offer the space to the community for write-ins, critique groups, writing workshops. And, I hope to bring in faculty to teach advanced writing workshops next year.

I also volunteer. I am on the King County Library Foundation Gala committee. I'm very proud of the work we do. We raised $366,000 to support the library system including providing free meals to children during the summer reading programs and lending wifi hotspots to people who can't afford internet and can't get to the library to use the wifi there. These people are now able to apply for jobs online because of the lending program.

I also volunteer as a Seattle Opera artist aide. This year, I was assistant bartender at the cast parties. I thought that I might have to memorize cocktail recipes, fancying myself as a Tom Cruise wannabe. Alas there were no cocktails to be mixed. Next year, I am head bartender which only means that I have to get to the party early to set up the bar and keep track of inventory. My husband has graciously agreed to be my assistant bartender. I shall take advantage of his muscles--cases of wine are rather heavy. He might be in it for the drinks. Little does he know that we can't drink on the job.

How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program?

My critique partner Ailynn Collins who graduated in January 2017 raved about the program after her first residency. Then our other critique partner Tina Hoggatt (also graduating this semester) applied and got in. When I heard that, I knew I had to join them in this wild, grand adventure.

What was your writing experience prior to entering the program?

Tina, Ailynn, and I met at a children's writing class at our local community college many years ago. We've been writing and supporting each other ever since.

What do you especially remember about your first residency?

The weather was beautiful and the Hamline MFAC community was strong.

Have you focused on any one form (PB, novel, nonfiction; graphic novel) or age group in your writing? Tried a form you never thought you’d try?

I came into the program to finally learn how to finish a draft of a middle grade novel. My first semester advisor was Phyllis Root so of course I had to try writing picture books. I surprised myself by writing an all picture book creative thesis.

Tell us about your Creative Thesis.

I wrote an all picture book creative thesis with a broad range--from funny to serious and from land to sea. I mostly wrote animal characters but do have a couple of picture books with human characters. I experimented with rhythm although I didn't touch rhyming.

What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies?

For one thing, my characters do far less sitting and thinking.

Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program?

I gained three major things in the Hamline MFAC program. The first was expected--learning advanced craft from master craft and literary artists. The second and third were wholly unexpected--gaining the habits of a professional writer and gaining a cohort who supported each other as we journeyed through the program and will continue to do so after graduation. I am grateful to each and every one of them.