tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17555026162896520102024-03-17T22:04:10.561-05:00The Storyteller's InkpotJoin the discussion as faculty, students, and graduates of Hamline University's MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program talk about books, writing, and the writing life. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger990125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-24101342027343847232017-12-12T16:09:00.004-06:002017-12-12T16:10:31.289-06:00The New and Improved InkpotHello Inkpot friends and fans,<br />
<br />
In case you've missed the exciting news -- we have a new and improved Inkpot blog, now available at <a href="http://thestorytellersinkpot.com/">www.thestorytellersinkpot.com</a>. Please note the dedicated URL (no more blogspot) and the great new design and structure. You can now browse by featured posts or you search/sort for posts by category, by timeline, and by blogger/keyword (using the search box).<br />
<br />
There is an option to subscribe to updates via email on the right sidebar. If you want to still get updates via email. y<b>ou'll need to re-subscribe to the new blog URL</b> even if you were signed up before here on Blogger. **There will be no more new posts here on this blogspot site**<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All posts will also be shared on the newly resurrected <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheStorytellersInkpot/" target="_blank">The Storyteller's Inkpot FB page</a> -- so feel free to follow and like/comment there. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thestorytellersinkpot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The Storyteller's Inkpot Blog" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1086" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wzQCFKi2ypAp7ZuvVWAsgM0v1eR9_C4NSHWnv_tp35IzCuWlmpvIorXLrmrkQL74S1QTVGd7Rg-JMStwnfpfOGkiZac0bOyyt4jlOKgTK9Nw37RaBsMwqkp4rzaHu3jF1N4G_b7pqGA/s640/screencapture-thestorytellersinkpot-1513115795722.png" title="The Storyteller's Inkpot Blog" width="434" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thank you for your following The Inkpot -- see you on the new site!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-89026054338591483832017-11-14T17:55:00.001-06:002017-11-14T17:59:35.646-06:00Alumni Voices with Molly Beth Griffin (MFAC '09): What Real Writers Do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdT_PfkcGUvLOmzHVjCWU6mMkDipGYkf9fIChh_tdwQlBfrY5JxNbTFUqMTMa59wm2GHTi56PRDoRUpkeeBKdeoUBklEkGBNodwvU_hSMWcTQRXos0vK1QUj8cZliWlN3VREhsG25cAN0/s1600/MollyBethInkpot.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdT_PfkcGUvLOmzHVjCWU6mMkDipGYkf9fIChh_tdwQlBfrY5JxNbTFUqMTMa59wm2GHTi56PRDoRUpkeeBKdeoUBklEkGBNodwvU_hSMWcTQRXos0vK1QUj8cZliWlN3VREhsG25cAN0/s400/MollyBethInkpot.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you’re like most of us, you waste a whole lot of energy wondering if you’re a real writer or not. Usually you lean toward the negative. Unless you’re in the blissful state of drafting the first 50 pages of a brand new exciting novel, or you’re actually receiving an acceptance or a good review at this exact moment, you’re probably wallowing in self-doubt. So I don’t know why speakers at conferences—amazing writers I respect and admire—feel the need to tell lecture halls full of us that if we don’t write every single day, we’re not writers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Real writers commit to their craft, they tell us. They put their butts in their chairs and their words on the page. Every day. If you can’t do that, you’re not a real writer. You should find another job. This writing thing is not for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m getting good at turning my ears off when the advice starts to go down that road. Because I’ve never written every day. I’m 34 years old. I have one published novel, two in the drawer, and one in progress. I’ve published two picture books and my agent has eighteen (yes, you read that right) picture book manuscripts out on submission. Two of those eighteen manuscripts have recently found homes. I have one chapbook of poems coming out next year and I’m submitting a second one. I’ve got an MFA and other people pay me to teach them writing and critique their stories. But by that write-every-day standard? I’m not a writer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know it’s hard to give writing advice, and people are always demanding it, so you just tend to tell people they should do what you do. Some people may well benefit from this so often repeated recipe for creative success. But what works for one person is not necessarily going to work for another, and in my opinion this one-size-fits-all approach is doing more harm than good. It’s making good writers suffer, and sometimes even quit. The fact is, we don’t need another reason to believe we’re not enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instead, I think we need to tell writers who are struggling to get the work done that they need a balance of consistency and flexibility in their writing lives. Real writers, in my experience, commit to doing whatever they can realistically do as consistently as possible. If that’s 500 words a day for you, great. But maybe it’s a couple of evening writing sprints per week and then two hours of revision on Sundays. Maybe it’s a poem dictated into your phone every morning on your walk to the train. Maybe it’s a two-week writing retreat every summer and winter break. There is no recipe for success. You just have to try some things and figure out what’s realistic for you. What can you do consistently? Keep the bar low so that you can succeed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let’s stop shaming writers and instead encourage each other to do whatever works, and when that stops working—because your life circumstances change, or the project suddenly requires something else of you—throw that plan out the window and try something different. Be flexible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">When my babies were small, I set aside novels and wrote only picture books. I liked bite-sized stories because I could work on the ideas for them in my head while I was doing dishes, get out a draft during that precious hour or two of childcare, and revise during nap without being too angry about interruptions. Now that my youngest is in preschool, I’m able to dig into larger projects. But I still don’t write every day. I write when I have childcare, which is Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I set up #1kTuesday on Facebook as a support system to make sure I carve out time for my own writing at least one day a week. I meet with my writing group at least once a month, and I try to have something to share with them. And what do you know? The work gets done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because if you’re a real writer, you’ll find a way to get the work done. It won’t look like everyone else’s way, because you’re not everyone else. You will set the writing aside and go for a walk sometimes. You will come back to it. You will bribe yourself with chocolate. You will give yourself deadlines and surround yourself with people who support you in meeting them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">You will write. On your own terms, and at your own pace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because you’re a real writer and that’s what real writers do.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">________________________________________________</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Molly Beth Griffin </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is the author of the YA novel SILHOUETTE OF A SPARROW (Milkweed Editions 2012) and the picture books LOON BABY (Houghton Mifflin 2011) and RHODA’S ROCK HUNT (Minnesota Historical Society Press 2014). Her first poetry chapbook, UNDER OUR FEET, is forthcoming from Finishing Line Press in 2018. She is a Hamline MFAC grad from 2009 and a teaching artist at The Loft Literary Center, where she critiques manuscripts and hosts a monthly Picture Book Salon. Her writing has been awarded two Minnesota Arts Board Artist Initiative grants and a McKnight Fellowship. She lives in Minneapolis with her partner and their two young children. Find her at </span><a href="http://www.mollybethgriffin.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.mollybethgriffin.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or on Facebook, where she facilitates an online writing support group called #1kTuesday.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-71316210513645952062017-10-09T13:19:00.003-05:002017-10-10T16:49:16.392-05:00How to Write Sci-Fi When You Already Live in a Dystopia with Ailynn Knox-Collins<i>“It’s difficult to focus on writing, particularly fiction, when the world feels like it’s on fire.” </i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hugo award winning author, <b>John Scalzi </b>wrote that recently, in <a href="http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-ca-jc-scalzi-future-is-now-20170816-story.html" target="_blank">an article for the <i>Los Angeles Times.</i></a> He talks about how hard it is for science fiction writers to write their stories these days, because it feels like we’re living in a dystopian novel already.<br />
<br />
And maybe that’s what I’ve been feeling lately. And that’s why it’s been so hard to sit down and write. I have stories waiting to be told. They mill around in the back of my mind, waiting for my fingers to get going. The characters talk to me while I’m reading a book, or binge-watching a show on TV. Or I suddenly decide to do yard work when I haven’t done that in years. The characters shout, “Hey! When are you going to finish our story?”<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzCRkfFcvkIKSidGKjVLiQ0NEoLJ6rOmdLqxFOWUoiv1pIv_GlLVx0u-hY-d65LODtPMnmym4fifAXrKbvvyNn97c-XFwuGb7887bExTHMh6e0F1Y12YOEc0iOuZTuV_Uiy4wQgrFpNY/s1600/Rose+and+Ailynn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzCRkfFcvkIKSidGKjVLiQ0NEoLJ6rOmdLqxFOWUoiv1pIv_GlLVx0u-hY-d65LODtPMnmym4fifAXrKbvvyNn97c-XFwuGb7887bExTHMh6e0F1Y12YOEc0iOuZTuV_Uiy4wQgrFpNY/s320/Rose+and+Ailynn.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ailynn and Rose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But when you wake up each day to the rubbish that’s happening in our country, (can I say ‘crap’?), it’s hard to peel oneself off the floor, to sit in a chair and type up a story about a horrible but hopeful fictional future – when the real future looks even worse.<br />
<br />
I could ignore the news. I could cut myself off entirely from social media, radio, TV, talking to people. But I’m not that disciplined.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But I had a deadline for this article. So what did I do? I procrastinated. Which led me to re-reading my Hamline lecture notes. And guess what I found? Wisdom. Inspiration. Treasure! And I’d only read the notes from July 2015, residency #2. I’d forgotten how much good stuff came out of that time. I only have room for 3 highlights in this post. Thank you, teachers, advisors, guest speakers, and alums!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1) Guest speaker/alum, <b>Kelly Barnhill,</b> said, <br />
<br />
<i>“To be human is to tell stories. It is what makes us human most. Everything else, is shared with other animals. Storytelling appears to be ours alone.”</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Storytelling is inevitable, especially for a writer. Someone once asked me if I would stop writing if nobody ever liked my work. I said no, because the voices in my head won’t let me. No matter how hard it gets, those stories demand to be told, whether or not anyone else reads them. I am a writer. I am compelled to write.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
2) <b>Alicia Williams</b> gave a powerful lecture about writing the other. I so appreciated her passion, and how she didn’t mince her words. Here are some of them:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>“SFF (science fiction/fantasy) writing is the most segregated world in all of literature. What message does it send if there's only one PoC on a new planet? We are all people, so we have to humanize [our characters] - they should be all colors. No more lily-white futures. You kill off entire races. This is called literary GENOCIDE.”</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Doesn’t that just make you want to stand up and applaud? Well, it makes me want to get on and write that story! Especially SFF.<br />
<br />
From her ferocity and passion, I am reminded that the future I write about should be what I believe it’s going to be – not the one pictured by today’s lazy supremacists. Their vision of the future is really that of the past, and that’s what scares them. Because the future will not belong to them. There are too many of us who will not allow it. And storytellers play a big part in that picture. Quoting Alicia again,<br />
<br />
<i>“It takes all of us to break down borders. We have to work together across racial borders in order to change things, and make things better.” </i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yes!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3) Finally, <b>Gene Luen Yang,</b> quoting Robert McKee’s Story, talked about the types of research we should do for our stories –facts, memory and imagination. Gene said,</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>“It’s important to… see memory and imagination as an important part of research because we don't give ourselves permission to spend time thinking.” </i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What relief I felt when he said that! Because I do a lot of thinking. I do a lot of talking to my characters (disguised as talking to my dogs). And how good it is to give myself permission to do so, knowing that this is writing too. Thinking is a part of the process. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, maybe my writing journey hasn’t ground to a screeching halt. The anger, fear, and occasional hopelessness are simply simmering on a slow fire, seeking a way out of my brain, onto a page. The Poet Laureate of the USA, <i>Tracy K Smith</i>, in her book <i>Life on Mars</i>, includes a poem called “SciFi”. I only have room for the last few lines. But for me, it reminds me of why writing SFF is healing. Read the whole poem, if you can.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
“... weightless, unhinged,</div>
<div>
Eons from even our moon, we’ll drift</div>
<div>
In the haze of space, which will be, once</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And for all, scrutable and safe.”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Scrutable and safe. Isn’t that something we all need right now?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;">___________________________________________________</span></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Aileen Knox-Collins graduated from Hamline MFAC in January 2017. When she's not writing, she's working with her 4 dogs on agility, obedience and rally competitions, or working part time in an independent bookstore in Redmond, WA. Her first MG Sci-Fi series with Capstone was released in August 2017 and a nonfiction series will be out in February 2018. She's working on marketing her first graphic novel, among others.</div>
</div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-88414101105319268222017-09-06T15:11:00.001-05:002017-09-07T11:55:41.991-05:00Faculty Voices: Emily Jenkins (e. lockhart) from ScotlandHello from Scotland. My (infrequent) faculty Inkpot posts have all been a little bit about professional author stuff and some thoughts on going about it. This one will be more of the same.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEior265lx6I8IdiQayvNf8d2nyU2UTujPpswRGbCyqcvdKinypnKKYRL4dVFIYfCgbptRqb4XhecAlNpGj93ksLcMY9RFEEqF_rVh1I21pFYZTOOa3bctuyYio3OjkBlxF1kKdAjFii_TU/s1600/lockartFraud375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="375" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEior265lx6I8IdiQayvNf8d2nyU2UTujPpswRGbCyqcvdKinypnKKYRL4dVFIYfCgbptRqb4XhecAlNpGj93ksLcMY9RFEEqF_rVh1I21pFYZTOOa3bctuyYio3OjkBlxF1kKdAjFii_TU/s320/lockartFraud375.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
I’m writing this in early August, currently traveling for my publisher in the UK and Ireland. Very often books come out in a different order or at different times in foreign markets—because translation takes time. Even in English-speaking markets, there can be a delay, or the books might not come out at all. For example, I had my first adult book come out in the UK and Ireland — and my first three YA books, but after that, I had no publisher there for many years. There wasn’t much I could do about it. However, when <i>We Were Liars</i> came out, I got a new publisher, and that publisher bought my older YA up and brought it out as new. </div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
<div>
I’m here for two reasons, then. The first is is to tour bookshops and do a festival (YALC—the Young Adult Literature Conference) for books that I wrote a long time ago. That’s an interesting thing to do, as the books haven’t been particularly popular, and I’m not sure which ones to talk about, particularly. I had to re-read them before getting on the plane! </div>
<div>
<br />
As I write this I have done two events where I didn’t sell many books except <i>We Were Liars</i>— so I will adjust my presentation tonight. The first event I tried talking through my older titles super fast — a sentence about each. Then the conversation was about YA literature generally, writing processes, etc. At the second event, I didn’t mention the older books at all, but my interviewer gushed a lot about one book — though she actually never explained what it was about. So for tonight, I think I’ll choose one or maybe two to talk from and even read from. These events are supposed to be literary conversations, and nobody wants to hear a sales pitch—but they are supposed to sell books. So I am thinking on the road about how to learn from the events I have had so far. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSFXRgYgk8PfXMlS4pxuglrli7dhVLfLYwzNFBZtHs4WNTzyrIrCkNJDNj06ZTniE2ytamlin3_TAxgq8ZW4JZAKHtb6ND0NerukC_qgW_GoA6ytXqTyrXFpmkm4Gb4O73b9i9nKlw68/s1600/IMG_3094.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSFXRgYgk8PfXMlS4pxuglrli7dhVLfLYwzNFBZtHs4WNTzyrIrCkNJDNj06ZTniE2ytamlin3_TAxgq8ZW4JZAKHtb6ND0NerukC_qgW_GoA6ytXqTyrXFpmkm4Gb4O73b9i9nKlw68/s320/IMG_3094.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div>
The second reason I’m here is to generate pre-publication excitement for my September 2017 book, <i>Genuine Fraud.</i> For my first four YA books I had no idea that publishers set things in motion before publication for certain titles. But they do. They might mail out ARCs in special packages, bring the author to conferences full of booksellers, teachers or librarians, and they might have parties. In this case, we had a bookseller party one night (chain buyers, indie stores etc.) and a blogger party another night (video bloggers). There were goodie bags and speeches and the blogger party had cupcakes (see photo). It is part of my job to put these images on Instagram and Twitter — to find amusing ways of extending the reach that events might have. There was also a tea with Irish children’s librarians and booksellers, and I filmed a lot of video (not my favorite thing to do!) that will be rolled out when the book is released. For example, I made a video for a chain bookstore recommending five titles; and I made many videos describing the book that will go onto online book sites. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My job is to have prepared something of a schtick about my book, to have figured out a number of ways of talking about it that are appealing—and to try to connect with people. I try to get my hair to behave itself, but it doesn’t really matter if I fail. I try to adapt to each situation, and to learn from the publishing team what they think is working—it’s a good chance to refine what I’m doing in front of crowds, to understand it and to try and get better at it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am super tired and a bit homesick, but I’m also thrilled to see Edinburgh, Dublin and London, and to meet all these readers. I’ve gotten to know the YA book community a bit, and everyone has been welcoming and wonderful.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.hamline.edu/faculty/emily-jenkins.html" target="_blank">Read Emily Jenkins (e. lockhart) faculty bio here.</a><br />
<br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-17131587038816902762017-08-17T12:14:00.001-05:002017-08-17T12:49:15.208-05:00THE IMPORTANCE OF A WRITING GROUP: Or how I lost all hope but was able to find it again through a small circle of friends, by Tiffany Grimes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_1Q1p8K73H6Box1pzmhc26w816xnwXqpY_473wyirDopOTsN4lvPTBw1WKyvVTI8yFJRaD4t_u4XeGNUHkukoTtGp9pffSY6lI75erJUGPPm6GcteWC6IjMPncChER0QwnAjFoH0lQw/s1600/grimesBlog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px;"><img alt="Tiffany Grimes blog post" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_1Q1p8K73H6Box1pzmhc26w816xnwXqpY_473wyirDopOTsN4lvPTBw1WKyvVTI8yFJRaD4t_u4XeGNUHkukoTtGp9pffSY6lI75erJUGPPm6GcteWC6IjMPncChER0QwnAjFoH0lQw/s640/grimesBlog.JPG" title="Tiffany Grimes blog post" width="640" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I moved to Portland, Oregon last year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Florida is hot and humid and seemed to sap every creative thought from my head. So it was time for a change. A change that required moving to the opposite coast. 3,070 miles away.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I read Marie Kondo’s </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://tidyingup.com/books/the-life-changing-magic-of-tidying-up-hc" target="_blank">The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up</a> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and promptly sold nearly everything, including my car. I packed everything else up in suitcases and flew with my cats across the country. Flying with cats was quite the experience, one that I hope I never have to repeat. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once arriving in Portland, I spent the most of my time searching for employment, literally anything that would help me afford my outrageous rent. I started with two camping chairs as furniture and slowly accumulated the basics over time. Marie Kondo had not prepared me for this. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks to Tinder I made three friends quickly, all of them writers. (Did you know Tinder could be used to make friends? Well now you do!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">These ladies and I spent the last year lamenting about how we’d like to write more. We’d talk about it on hikes, while drinking our sorrows, while sewing our costumes for comic cons, while planning our trips. We seemed to have no problem talking about how we’d like to write. But we weren’t writing.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t know about you, but when I’m not writing, I sort of slump into a depression that can only be fixed by consuming large amounts of peanut butter ice cream and Netflix. Aka not writing. It’s a long, agonizing circle of not being able to call myself a writer (after all, how can you be a writer when you’re not writing!) and then a few bursts every 3 months where I manage to write </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">something, anything.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Oh, I really am a writer!</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, a couple months ago, my writing friends and I formed a tiny writing group. We meet 1-2 times a week and write for hours. We brainstorm. We workshop. We prepare for writing contests. We set small deadlines. We share books to read. (Currently we’re reading </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>1Q84</i></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> together). We go to book launches. I’ve never been part of a group like this before. We trust each other even though we write completely different genres. Sometimes we sit in silence for hours as we work on our own things. Sometimes we set a timer and write following a prompt. Sometimes we just talk about our ideas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">It had been so long since I’d finished anything. Sure, I’d been slowly hacking away at the book I started at Hamline. I had even tried to set up a few accountability buddies from Hamline, to try to make sure I keep working on my projects. I tried to set deadlines. Eventually we just lost touch. And I missed every deadline I set for myself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now I’ve finished the first completed draft of my book, a short story, and this blog post. It’s a slow process, but I have a few projects I’m working on. Projects I’m thrilled about. I carve every moment I can out of my day and hack away at my ideas and drafts. I can rely on my writing group to honestly tell me when my ideas are too weird or boring. I can count on them to hound me until I get something onto the page.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My writing group has made me proud to call myself a writer again. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #999999;">_________________________________________________________</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tiffany Grimes, Inkpot Blog Manager, is a minimalist (excluding cats: cats bring joy, thus more cats equal happiness). She graduated from Hamline in 2015 and currently writes and breathes in Portland, OR. Follow her on twitter @Qtiffany. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-48280240057298550382017-07-15T11:54:00.000-05:002017-07-15T11:54:36.078-05:00Meet 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.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
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. <b>Today's featured grad is Regina McMenamin Lloyd</b>. Regina lives in Mullica Hill, New Jersey. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cng0Ze4sXF2Cwxh2y4JCVTsxuaTgmxFjOB6CoH8U0TroLzAXGaDhvVD8Q5zrDoeTlxU7wO81in5mTf31XaGHp1HReiea0fSkRZQqLH8TwFC8MWJxLkK3_xFfNCVNoYU6G2Ptej-uRtw/s1600/Regina+Lloyd.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cng0Ze4sXF2Cwxh2y4JCVTsxuaTgmxFjOB6CoH8U0TroLzAXGaDhvVD8Q5zrDoeTlxU7wO81in5mTf31XaGHp1HReiea0fSkRZQqLH8TwFC8MWJxLkK3_xFfNCVNoYU6G2Ptej-uRtw/s320/Regina+Lloyd.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">What do you do when you’re not working on packets?</span></h2>
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! <br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program?</span></h2>
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.” <br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">What was your writing experience prior to entering the program?</span></h2>
I had a bunch of short stories and poems published. I once got published on Smithsonian’s Website which felt pretty awesome! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">What do especially remember about your first residency?</span></h2>
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! <br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">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?</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
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?<br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tell us about your Creative Thesis.</span></h2>
My Creative Thesis is called <i>McTruths</i>. 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.<br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies?</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
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. <br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program? </span></h2>
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? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-20001123453374576452017-07-14T12:10:00.001-05:002017-07-14T12:10:51.707-05:00Meet the Grad: Andrea Knight JakemanOn 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.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
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. <b>Today's featured grad is Andrea Knight Jakeman. </b>Andrea lives in Minnetonka, MN. <br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">What do you do when you’re not working on packets? </span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiCPZWm4t9PwCdTkTnQ8VBsrsUv2gGROfws1bkH2ZCWZoibyR345vNkpCj-iJjCTcJPtbiz1fg4IqxR7wA60e9cMqv5W1fUp3WoZu4UmWuoZEEK8r3ziUBzgbwxx5DIIwMtPbMjCqyqM/s1600/KnightJakeman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiCPZWm4t9PwCdTkTnQ8VBsrsUv2gGROfws1bkH2ZCWZoibyR345vNkpCj-iJjCTcJPtbiz1fg4IqxR7wA60e9cMqv5W1fUp3WoZu4UmWuoZEEK8r3ziUBzgbwxx5DIIwMtPbMjCqyqM/s320/KnightJakeman.jpg" width="320" /></a>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. <br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program? </span></h2>
</div>
<div>
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.<br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">What was your writing experience prior to entering the program?</span> </h2>
</div>
<div>
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.<br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">What do especially remember about your first residency? </span></h2>
</div>
<div>
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.<br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">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? </span></h2>
</div>
<div>
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.<br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tell us about your Creative Thesis. </span></h2>
</div>
<div>
No. Ha. Kidding. (I enjoy refusing perfectly rational requests. Stop signs are hard for me.)<br /><br />It's called <i>The Ferry of the Gods</i>. 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.<br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies? </span></h2>
</div>
<div>
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.<br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program? </span></h2>
</div>
<div>
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.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-35071829322818335032017-07-13T12:53:00.000-05:002017-07-13T12:53:00.968-05:00Meet 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. <br /><br />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. <b>Today's featured grad is Jan LaRoche. </b>Jan lives in East Moline, Illinois.<div>
<br /><h2>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLH5nYMTJ-e7Jo5kKfsKh0SDW1vv3VguCtyZhWE1gah_lPPCGCLNlWOpZbMvJyswy76nY0Wrpfm1nSE81F1sCWVZUkwNlOcDOD4UZkIKEduNdJZ7njVPAofs5qt6JfdQwCNB2ySm24x4c/s1600/Jan+LaRoche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1522" data-original-width="1522" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLH5nYMTJ-e7Jo5kKfsKh0SDW1vv3VguCtyZhWE1gah_lPPCGCLNlWOpZbMvJyswy76nY0Wrpfm1nSE81F1sCWVZUkwNlOcDOD4UZkIKEduNdJZ7njVPAofs5qt6JfdQwCNB2ySm24x4c/s320/Jan+LaRoche.jpg" width="320" /></a></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">What do you do when you’re not working on packets?</span></h2>
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. <br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program?</span></h2>
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!<br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">What was your writing experience prior to entering the program?</span></h2>
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. <br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">What do you especially remember about your first residency?</span></h2>
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.<br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">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?</span></h2>
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.<br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tell us about your Creative Thesis.</span></h2>
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.<br /><br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies?</span></h2>
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.<br /><h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program?</span></h2>
<br />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.<div>
<br /> <div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-65823743272325496512017-07-12T14:28:00.003-05:002017-07-12T14:35:42.978-05:00Meet the Grad: Blair Thornburgh<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">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. </span><br />
<span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px;">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. </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px;"><b>Today's featured grad is: Blair Thornburgh. </b>Blair</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px;"> lives in the </span><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">Philadelphia</span><span style="font-size: 14.85px;">. Find Blair on Twitter @ATallOrder and online at <a href="http://blairthornburgh.com./">blairthornburgh.com.</a> </span></span><br />
<br />
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">What do you do when you’re not working on packets?</span> </h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrg-o0axHeIbf8mhKQii_6Fe-0gZ3FOToKuT-8AbOYhibjOsZfZqhIhCH2riMfq_ZwP2HjEpusWFH3Fw24kaHuoKm1J_5nDWmZaHEOfrQ_J62dOQK-YllaV2UINTMvoZWZXjTxl6MtC7I/s1600/BlairInkpot.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrg-o0axHeIbf8mhKQii_6Fe-0gZ3FOToKuT-8AbOYhibjOsZfZqhIhCH2riMfq_ZwP2HjEpusWFH3Fw24kaHuoKm1J_5nDWmZaHEOfrQ_J62dOQK-YllaV2UINTMvoZWZXjTxl6MtC7I/s1600/BlairInkpot.png" /></a></div>
<div>
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 (<i>Who’s That Girl</i> 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?<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program? </span></h2>
</div>
<div>
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">What do especially remember about your first residency? </span></h2>
</div>
<div>
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.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Have you focused on any one form (PB, novel, nonfiction; graphic novel) or age group in your writing? </span></h2>
</div>
<div>
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!)<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tell us about your Creative Thesis. </span></h2>
</div>
<div>
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?)<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies? </span></h2>
</div>
<div>
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. <br />
<h2>
<br /><span style="font-size: large;">Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program? </span></h2>
</div>
<div>
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!</div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-372362149013399312017-07-10T10:45:00.001-05:002017-07-10T10:53:26.831-05:00Meet the Grad: Christy L. Reid<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">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. </span><br style="color: #444444;" /><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"></span><span style="color: #444444;">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. <b>Today's featured grad is: <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Christy L. Reid</span></b></span><span style="color: #444444;"><b>.</b> Christy lives in </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Faribault, Minnesota<span style="color: #444444;">.
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<h2 style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What do you do when you're not working on packets?</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuk3lzVxYw4lLIUE8CtEg7eMUStq49koFfPjIi5LwkUk3KSVYFlxsrPf8Ye1s2SxUCiBB93SWI2HwG4WXxjkMeG59NGtHk7SjMQ7g4fBLPP87WoAK49R_Lw8nqQv95pOcMzb3S2igUmo/s1600/IMG_2625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuk3lzVxYw4lLIUE8CtEg7eMUStq49koFfPjIi5LwkUk3KSVYFlxsrPf8Ye1s2SxUCiBB93SWI2HwG4WXxjkMeG59NGtHk7SjMQ7g4fBLPP87WoAK49R_Lw8nqQv95pOcMzb3S2igUmo/s400/IMG_2625.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.
</span></span></div>
<h2 style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program?</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.</span></span></div>
<br />
<h2 style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What was your writing experience prior to entering the program?</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.</span></span></div>
<h2 style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What do especially remember about your first residency?</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.</span></span></div>
<h2 style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">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?</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.
</span></span></div>
<h2 style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tell us about your Creative Thesis.</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.
</span></span></div>
<h2 style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies?</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.
</span></span></div>
<h2 style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program?</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-60522612257287523892017-07-07T10:03:00.000-05:002017-07-07T10:10:55.562-05:00Meet the Grad: Barbara Roberts<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">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. </span><br style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"></span><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">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. <b>Today's featured grad is: </b></span><span style="font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Barbara Roberts</b></span><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"><b>.</b> Barbara lives in </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Virginia (though she will ALWAYS consider myself a Californian).</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: 700;">What do you do when you’re not working on packets?</span></span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExBtwjYNzdW5lUZqSItkBxjEwBo8Lc_a21lX-1YyBk_X5-h14R6uvvd9WTocu00zLGmftTr8K5P-a0TOw7X1MRrYxsH6JRvVkSiF_cs5tL8XzjYi5r3UNHh1Uh7pf8iKlWjgoJ9ThgpQ/s1600/roberts.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExBtwjYNzdW5lUZqSItkBxjEwBo8Lc_a21lX-1YyBk_X5-h14R6uvvd9WTocu00zLGmftTr8K5P-a0TOw7X1MRrYxsH6JRvVkSiF_cs5tL8XzjYi5r3UNHh1Uh7pf8iKlWjgoJ9ThgpQ/s1600/roberts.png" /></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f6f9c7da-142e-a2f6-65db-9499e21d459e"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program?</span></span></span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f6f9c7da-142e-e3c7-1b5c-c18b31ffcb3b"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What was your writing experience prior to entering the program?</span></span></span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">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 – </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Margaux With and X, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Ron Koertge – if you haven’t read it, you should.)</span></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f6f9c7da-142f-0fa3-a915-c26ff564336a"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">What do especially remember about your first residency?</span></span></span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f6f9c7da-142f-4f73-e31a-7dc55e067223"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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?</span></span></span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f6f9c7da-142f-79ae-dd78-d7a3bb92bae0"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tell us about your Creative Thesis.</span></span></span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f6f9c7da-142f-b42b-0818-154b494cd61e"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies?</span></span></span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">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 </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">process </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">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.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f6f9c7da-142f-dc8f-f508-1313d60b7e3a"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program?</span></span></span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">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.</span></span></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-28391550429695692572017-07-05T12:35:00.001-05:002017-07-05T12:36:56.287-05:00Meet the Grad: Lily LaMotte<span style="color: #444444;">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. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">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. <b>Today's featured grad is: Lily LaMotte.</b> Lily lives in the Seattle area. Find Lily on Twitter @lilylamotte and online at <a href="http://notewordies.com/">Notewordies.com</a>.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: small;">What do you do when you’re not working on packets? </span></b></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bsOazcCAO4Qxm3he9HopEO7JQjWYznlTWuS_gtqfqxmft5neq5W-PVy_8C1vNNPGHSWCU6q7UJkOj-oWLxgPxCR2Ch8LCEAgnIOGzIGrKJ4Q4woVi-Bjy-HrISn3rvKigc8hWN4lvh0/s1600/LilyLamotte.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bsOazcCAO4Qxm3he9HopEO7JQjWYznlTWuS_gtqfqxmft5neq5W-PVy_8C1vNNPGHSWCU6q7UJkOj-oWLxgPxCR2Ch8LCEAgnIOGzIGrKJ4Q4woVi-Bjy-HrISn3rvKigc8hWN4lvh0/s400/LilyLamotte.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444;">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.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444;">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.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444;">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.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444;">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.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: small;">How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program?</span></b></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444;">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.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: small;">What was your writing experience prior to entering the program?</span></b></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444;">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.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: small;">What do you especially remember about your first residency?</span></b></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444;">The weather was beautiful and the Hamline MFAC community was strong.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: small;">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?</span></b></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444;">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.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: small;">Tell us about your Creative Thesis.</span></b></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444;">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.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: small;">What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies?</span></b></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444;">For one thing, my characters do far less sitting and thinking.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: small;">Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program?</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444;">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.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2d504387-13cb-4bae-e57a-57a2df15e4d5"></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-56086667878023069132017-06-30T12:41:00.003-05:002017-06-30T12:47:48.531-05:00Meet the Grad: Dori F. GrahamOn 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. <br />
<br />
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. <b>Today's featured grad is: Dori F. Graham.</b> (The F is for Fancy.) Dori lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Find Dori on social media at @Doremedusa.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">
What do you do when you’re not working on packets? </span></h2>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt47PS8t7SzkGgIFkH_odG6hArM6H-vXuwg8XXHcheFA54OBPiaYshYmib2VRsnc-5aLd7xk79yIItYhlIDjgpoIwlWhyphenhyphen22ESTODx1APnuCTqbYn4Sc-6PNgSRHi6zp_tFOxGpR4egX2I/s1600/Dori+Graham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dori Graham, Hamline MFAC" border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1091" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt47PS8t7SzkGgIFkH_odG6hArM6H-vXuwg8XXHcheFA54OBPiaYshYmib2VRsnc-5aLd7xk79yIItYhlIDjgpoIwlWhyphenhyphen22ESTODx1APnuCTqbYn4Sc-6PNgSRHi6zp_tFOxGpR4egX2I/s320/Dori+Graham.jpg" title="Dori Graham, Hamline MFAC" width="320" /></a>For my grown-upping, I landed my dream job as a Children’s Librarian for the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, IN where my days include things like storytimes, crafts, book hunts, and bubbles. And, it’s heavenly. I’ve been with ACPL for four years this July, and I still can’t believe I get paid to be there! <br />
<br />
<br />
When I’m not at work, I love to listen to audiobooks. I listen while I bake, or do the dishes, or play Soda Crush (I’m currently on level 941). Also, I really like to do nothing. And by do nothing, I mean stare at my fish tank, a lava lamp, a candle... I regularly stare at boring things—a bit like an infant who can’t stop looking at the ceiling. (Some people would call this mindfulness, but I know their tricks—it’s really just fancy boredom. But, whatever you want to call it, it’s pretty much The Best.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">
How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program? </span></h2>
<br />
A few years ago, the AWP conference took place in Minneapolis. I tagged along with my fiancée who is a poet and a professor. One night, I was looking through a huge booklet full of MFA programs that I’d gotten at the bookfair, and when I saw that Hamline’s MFA specialized in writing for children, I said to my fiancée, “Someday, I want to look into going there.” She said, “Why not today?” I Bha-ha-ha-ha’ed in her face…then realized she was serious…then further realized she was serious because she had faith in me—far more faith than I had in myself. After a bit of mental pep-talk, I giggle-cried a little bit, and said “Hokay!” <br />
<br />
The next morning, we went to the booth and I chatted with Mary Rockcastle. Within minutes, it became clear that this was the program that could help me move towards my wilder dreams.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">
What was your writing experience prior to entering the program? </span></h2>
<br />
Prior to the program, I would have said I was a writer with a lowercase “w.” I thought about writing FAR more than I actually wrote. Now, I write far more than I ever thought I would, and while the “w” isn’t quite uppercase, it’s getting there.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">
What do especially remember about your first residency? </span></h2>
<br />
At my first residency, I remember feeling TOTALLY out of my element, but SO pleased to be there. I kept thinking, “They got it wrong! I never should have made it into this program with all of these brilliant, talented people,” but I also thought, “They speak my language and I never want to leave!”<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">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? </span></h2>
<br />
I tried to gain as much experience as possible while I had the chance to be mentored, so I worked on picture books with ever-genuine, tenderhearted Phyllis Root, I worked on a young adult novel with the sharp-as-a-mother-freaking-tack Swati Avasti, I did some middle grade chapter book writing with Emily “Up Your Game” Jenkins, and I finished my Hamline career by reworking my YA novel with the one and only, ever-giving Marsha Chall. My one regret? Never trying a graphic novel script. Someday…<br />
<br />
<h2>
<br /><span style="font-size: large;">Tell us about your Creative Thesis. </span></h2>
<br />
My creative thesis is a young adult novel called Just Jada (Not Jugs) about a fifteen-year-old girl named Jada. Jada is a quirky, bosomy sophomore at Bridgemont High School where she’s continually teased for having large boozies and being a little “weird.’ While her best friend, Gwen, is out of the country for more than a year, Jada makes friends with the new guy, a gorgeous basketball player named Shawn. Their connection improves Jada’s social standing, but when things with Shawn become “more than friends,” Jada is torn between leaning into the new relationship or following her heart…which just might be trying to lead her back to Gwen. The story is a gentle, quirky tale about friendship, first (and second) love, social bravery, sexual fluidity, and tea—they drink a lot of tea.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">
What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies? </span></h2>
<br />
The biggest change that I’ve seen is in my ability to pace exposition and action. During my second semester, Swati Avasti asked me to write an essay on scene versus exposition using the short story Blood Child by Octavia Butler as my primary source material. If there was ever an argument against writing critical essays, this moment in my studies definitely defends the need for them. Through breaking down Butler’s short story, I really began to understand when to be “in scene” and when to give exposition/commentary/background. Swati is responsible for what I call “The Great Shift” in my writing ability.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<br /><span style="font-size: large;">Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program? </span></h2>
<br />
My favorite quote (by Kate Forsyth) says, “May my heart by kind, my mind fierce, and my spirit brave.” You will need all of these qualities to write for children, and you can grow all of these qualities and more at Hamline. Whatever the naysayer in your head might try to say to distract you, tell it “Nevertheless” and get thee to Hamline!<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-28275490206962307932017-06-28T11:56:00.000-05:002017-06-28T12:03:16.829-05:00Meet the Grad: Stephanie Wilson<div dir="ltr" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px; line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.85px;">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. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoyIq_1AQNGFdeFlqo94SucxavfP3s4S0fR8wYJnR80MkzJ4bttNkr81_GMKEwpKD4vdrVXSJS8iWrUFw9fd6TVBlojNykogQa07ZnP_q1bX1gfhYls04ocV3sTHAIh7RyPkIG0NHLb4/s1600/10399334_10201324132941035_1246659249044552684_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #95021e; float: right; font-size: 14.85px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">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: <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Stephanie Wilson</b>. Stephanie lives off the gloriously super-hot shores of Florida. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Find Stephanie @maraudingstevie on basically all of the things (Twitter, Instagram, etc.).</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">What do you do when you’re not working on packets?</span></span></h2>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYkeUkTx5kO5_rupWkM0aT-V-akg-XguZ6GRhs-46p3_0xWUZmjxznRMUjGgOZoA7rCGm5T1sgoP4EUlABBLEXC4WNeXS11AWvpo-IVoDjroigiXqzhzax0Yi-vDvLSczxYnsHPLEyf4/s1600/wilson.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYkeUkTx5kO5_rupWkM0aT-V-akg-XguZ6GRhs-46p3_0xWUZmjxznRMUjGgOZoA7rCGm5T1sgoP4EUlABBLEXC4WNeXS11AWvpo-IVoDjroigiXqzhzax0Yi-vDvLSczxYnsHPLEyf4/s320/wilson.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mostly I spend my time working. I work at my Local Comic Shop, Emerald City Comics, and it’s the bee’s knees. Otherwise, I’m usually trying to spend my time with my husband, Zack, pestering him to finish his novel while simultaneously pestering him to play videogames I can watch; playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends and co-workers, as you do; trying my best not to go outside unless it’s winter; and I’m just starting to get back into drawing and painting every so often.</span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-730c70bc-ef96-aba7-fb64-d75f21dd860c" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program?</span></span></span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My husband, Zack, decided that he was going to go into the program a couple of years ago, because he heard about E. Lockhart working here via her Twitter. He got accepted, and then I joined him up here in the cold, brutal North a couple of times before finally pulling the trigger and applying myself. Legitimately: Best Decision Ever.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">What was your writing experience prior to entering the program?</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I studied writing as a part of my undergraduate degree (I began as an English Literature major and ended up a Creative Writing major). I’ve been writing poetry since 2nd grade, so writing has been a part of my life from an early age, and I’ve just expanded to include playwriting (in high school), followed by young adult and middle grade novels (particularly fantasy, because I *love* fantasy) and graphic novel scripts. I wrote an entire novel for NaNoWriMo (it was horrendous and super short but I reached 50,000 words!) and took a bit of a break before getting accepted into the program.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">What do you especially remember about your first residency?</span></span></h2>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was super awesome, because I got to share it with Zack. It was a *little* odd, because I kind of floated between the fourth semester group (the Front Row) and my first semester group (Hamlettes!), but everyone was so incredibly warm and welcoming, and it really felt like joining a community that has its arms wide open at all times. It started with workshops, which were *far* more accepting and constructive than any other workshop I’ve been a part of, and I adored every minute of it (and found some new books that I hope get published so I can read them in full!). I also remember getting to hang out with Gene Yang and talking shop (one of my favorite things to do; comics have really become a passion of mine), which was super, super cool. And, with the downtime that comes with Summer Residencies, getting to go check out all the amazing bookstores Minnesota has to offer! Wild Rumpus in particular. They have CHICKENS and FERRETS. And a TINY DOOR! It’s might be my favorite place. Ever.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444;">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</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">?</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve tried at leat a little bit of most forms: young adult and middle grade, novel and graphic novel and poetry, contemporary realistic and fantasy. I’ve reworked a poem into a picture book, which wasn’t quite successful, but it was definitely a cool experience. I do, someday, want to work on some nonfiction, probably either as a book of poetry or a graphic novel, but that might be a while. Nonfic is some hard, hard work!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">Tell us about your Creative Thesis.</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Marks</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a middle-grade fantasy about Trio, an eleven-year-old girl, and her sister, Eri, in their home city of Oll-Pheist, a city built on the back of a centuries-deceased dragon. Surrounding the city is a forest, which Trio loves with all her heart, but is filled with dangerous creatures that come out at night. During the day, Trio and her sister go in to harvest herbs for their apothecary father, and, on accident, Trio learns that she can use magic, but the stories say that people go mad and lose parts of themselves when they perform magic, leaving a mark on the caster. Trio doesn’t find any marks, though she doesn’t quite understand why. Her mother, however, bears a mark that Trio believes means she does magic, and is confirmed when her mother steals away Eri’s voice in a moment of anger.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; white-space: pre-wrap;">Trio must find a way to get her sister’s voice back, crossing paths with sassy tree sprites, a monstrous minotaur, careful centaurs, and a conversational cat, to find the witch in the center of the forest, the one that controls the magic. Along the way, Trio grapples with her magical abilities, the guilt of being the reason her sister lost her voice, and the threat of her family being irreparably broken if she isn’t successful. It’s a story about familial love, and the scars and marks that come with it; about finding your voice, and becoming comfortable in who you are; and about finding a home where you are, even when you may want to be somewhere else.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies?</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve noticed a good bit of change, not just in my writing, but in my process. My semester with Gene taught me how to write a graphic novel script and my deep, deep love for fantasy. My semesters with Laura and Swati and Nina taught me about my hatred (which has honestly become love) for revision, my extreme use of filler words (sorry, still haven’t fixed that yet ;D), and so, so much about my process. I’m still learning, and I still have so far to go, but I’m so appreciative of how far I’ve gotten in just these few years. I feel like I’m starting to finally develop my voice, and I’ve finally finished something! It’s not *done*, but it’s a completed draft, and that’s more than I could have possibly asked for, and far more than I possibly could have done before.</span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program?</span></span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you’re considering the program, DO IT! I considered it for almost two years before finally taking the plunge, and it was honestly the best decision I’ve ever made. If you’re entering the program, WELCOME! You’re going to have so much fun. Be open, but be honest. Take care of yourself (it can get intense!) but please, immerse yourself. Read at every reading you can, write all of the exercises that are requested in lectures, and keep your mind and heart open, and you’ll be inspired and filled. We need you. And we’re here for you.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-72274982677436983292017-06-22T16:11:00.001-05:002017-06-28T11:55:06.056-05:00Meet the Grad: Tina Hoggatt<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px;">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. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoyIq_1AQNGFdeFlqo94SucxavfP3s4S0fR8wYJnR80MkzJ4bttNkr81_GMKEwpKD4vdrVXSJS8iWrUFw9fd6TVBlojNykogQa07ZnP_q1bX1gfhYls04ocV3sTHAIh7RyPkIG0NHLb4/s1600/10399334_10201324132941035_1246659249044552684_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #95021e; float: right; font-size: 14.85px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">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: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tina Hoggatt. Tina lives in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Issaquah, Washington. Find Tina at </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://tinahoggatt.com/">tinahoggatt.com</a> and @tinahoggatt Twitter & </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #333333;">Instagram.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Km_VHhp43RAsOiasjLOKOR6pYhgTkQ07GcGXp3v6XDPg_nZ5QphhZi5sfpjYo6DEEBat43ulXuUidv8sxBKOJlsIUkVgD_PHwp3xzfY1wEb3f14h3G6wOpgF2EbSLJpzEg7XIJh1NuY/s1600/Tina+and+finnegan+pup+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Km_VHhp43RAsOiasjLOKOR6pYhgTkQ07GcGXp3v6XDPg_nZ5QphhZi5sfpjYo6DEEBat43ulXuUidv8sxBKOJlsIUkVgD_PHwp3xzfY1wEb3f14h3G6wOpgF2EbSLJpzEg7XIJh1NuY/s1600/Tina+and+finnegan+pup+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="925" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Km_VHhp43RAsOiasjLOKOR6pYhgTkQ07GcGXp3v6XDPg_nZ5QphhZi5sfpjYo6DEEBat43ulXuUidv8sxBKOJlsIUkVgD_PHwp3xzfY1wEb3f14h3G6wOpgF2EbSLJpzEg7XIJh1NuY/s400/Tina+and+finnegan+pup+%25281%2529.jpg" width="385" /></a></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What do you do when you’re not working on packets?</span></span></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wait, you have the option of not working on your packets? </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have a visual art practice and I try to spend regular time in the studio although the MFA work has dominated my time for the last few years. In truth, it’s hard to run both practices at once but with the MFA work I feel I’m getting closer to managing an integrated practice with more success. I’m moving the visual work into illustration with a goal of writing and illustrating books.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We have a big garden that takes intensive time right about now, will flourish and quickly become overgrown by July, and for the rest of the season will be weeded (at least by me) only where you can see it from the house.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I recently ended my tenure on the advisory committee for the Western Washington chapter of the <a href="https://www.scbwi.org/" target="_blank">Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators,</a> working on illustrator exhibits, the annual conference (now every other year) and as illustrator coordinator for several years. I highly recommend joining and participating in SCBWI. It’s a marvelous, all-volunteer, international organization filled with people who want you to succeed.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">AND I have a swell husband, two very grown up children, and two grandchildren who I am lucky enough to hang with on a regular basis. We have two cats, one dog, and four obtuse chickens.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TMI?</span></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program?</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lovely and talented writer Ailynn Collins (January, 2017 graduate of the program) is in my critique group. She got into the program after a workshop at Highlights where she met Anne Ursu and Laura Ruby, and encouraged me as well as Lily LaMotte to apply. Lily and I will graduate together and are psyched that Anne Cunningham, a fourth member of our group, is returning to the program this summer.</span></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What was your writing experience prior to entering the program?</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I worked on writing novels for young readers on my own, through NaNoWriMo, at SCBWI workshops, conferences, and retreats, took online and IRL classes, and participated in regular critique groups. I also did a lot of writing for the web and educational materials through my job at a local non-profit arts funder.</span></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What do you especially remember about your first residency?</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The excitement and pleasure of my first residency was broken by a controversial lecture by Jane Resh Thomas, then faculty member, and its aftermath. Ultimately the fallout helped reset the program’s priorities and deepen my experience at Hamline.</span></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">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?</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I worked with three picture book authors, Jacqueline Briggs Martin, Claire Rudolph Murphy, and Phyllis Root in my first three semesters. I wanted to work on both picture books and a novel during my time in the program and did both with all three. Because of Claire’s expertise I ventured into nonfiction, and with all of their input on the novel I started first semester I was ready to work on its completion with Marsha Qualey during my last semester. </span></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tell us about your Creative Thesis.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Piper in the Middle</i> is a middle grade historical novel that takes place in the aftermath of Bobby Kennedy’s assassination in 1968. It’s a family story of travel, nature, birth, death, secrets, and finding one’s place in both family and childhood. </span></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies?</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m a better, more concise storyteller. I have a firmer grasp on the picture book and novel forms, something I’d hoped for, and am not wholly overwhelmed at managing a complete novel. Due to the terrifying regularity of packet deadlines my writing practice has been much stronger over the last few years.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program?</span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-6941173c-d192-a521-3124-82607670ba2e"></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you have the money and time to swing it, and if you want to take the next step in your creative work and towards teaching opportunities, you should apply. Shrug off some hours of your regular job if possible so that you can concentrate on reading and writing. Get a jump on the required reading list! At Hamline you will work with some of the shining lights of the industry and you will gain a circle of friends in your fellow writers who will help you through the challenges and triumphs of the program and beyond. Go for it.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-77196385227948138182017-06-20T16:09:00.000-05:002017-06-21T11:17:45.893-05:00Meet the Grad: Aimee Lucido<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">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. </span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoyIq_1AQNGFdeFlqo94SucxavfP3s4S0fR8wYJnR80MkzJ4bttNkr81_GMKEwpKD4vdrVXSJS8iWrUFw9fd6TVBlojNykogQa07ZnP_q1bX1gfhYls04ocV3sTHAIh7RyPkIG0NHLb4/s1600/10399334_10201324132941035_1246659249044552684_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #95021e; float: right; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px;">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. <b>Today's featured graduate is Aimee Lucido.</b> Aimee lives in San Francisco, California. </span><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">Find</span><span style="font-size: 14.85px;"> Aimee at </span></span><a href="http://www.aimeelucido.com/" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #4285f4; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.aimeelucido.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and @aimeelucido on Twitter.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-6909b923-c751-0007-3e71-b0f779f11af3"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 4pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-6909b923-c751-0007-3e71-b0f779f11af3"><br /></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-6909b923-c751-0007-3e71-b0f779f11af3">
</span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<h2>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-6909b923-c751-0007-3e71-b0f779f11af3">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What do you do when you’re not working on packets?</span></span></h2>
</div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-6909b923-c751-0007-3e71-b0f779f11af3">
</span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-6909b923-c751-0007-3e71-b0f779f11af3"><br /></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-6909b923-c751-0007-3e71-b0f779f11af3">
</span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-6909b923-c751-0007-3e71-b0f779f11af3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnc53i1I4kkzobFMevAnYHDcjDrEm7rhVDjkRLYf2AecHBzJuQ884I9UGktgieVZnjzDfzDe9CeyQ2yYmvrEtUa2FMlsD5ufLFy2-xfNlQFDtWW6yWvtdxbwC3RvKvWoSQD5r2nHzJH20/s1600/Lucido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="470" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnc53i1I4kkzobFMevAnYHDcjDrEm7rhVDjkRLYf2AecHBzJuQ884I9UGktgieVZnjzDfzDe9CeyQ2yYmvrEtUa2FMlsD5ufLFy2-xfNlQFDtWW6yWvtdxbwC3RvKvWoSQD5r2nHzJH20/s400/Lucido.jpg" width="399" /></a></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-6909b923-c751-0007-3e71-b0f779f11af3"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm a full-time software engineer at Uber (which ends up being about half actual software engineering and half working on our diversity & inclusion efforts), and lately that has me traveling a lot, so much of my writing has been done on planes these days. </span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-6909b923-c751-0007-3e71-b0f779f11af3">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But for fun (and profit) I write crossword puzzles and perform with my musical improv team Flash Mob Musical. I also love to run stupid-long distance, see musicals, eat pasta, and play Zelda with my boyfriend. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 4pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<h2>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program?</span></h2>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About two years ago I was at a different company than where I am now, and I was fairly unhappy. I remember sitting in an interview one afternoon and the candidate wasn't doing very well, and as the time ticked down I thought, "thank goodness, in ten minutes this will be over and I can go back to work." </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But then I remembered that in ten minutes I had to go back to WORK. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I had a minor panic attack, considered quitting right there on the spot, but then I collected my bearings and I decided the mature, responsible thing to do would be to figure out what I would want to do instead before I abandoned my primary income source. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I started researching internships at literary agencies and I ended up interning with Ayanna Coleman at Quill Shift for six months. It was remote, so I didn't have to quit anything, or move anywhere, and best of all I could do it without even telling my boss I'd taken on a part-time job. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was just reading and editing stuff from the slush pile, but I loved it so much that at the end of the internship, Ayanna and I talked about what I was going to do next. While pursuing agenting or publishing was an option, she sensed (correctly) that I wasn't quite ready to leave my cushy day job just yet (though I have since switched companies and am far happier now). She told me about something called a "low-residency MFA" and gave me some websites to look at that focused on young adult writing. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ones that stood out were Vermont and Hamline. Vermont's deadline had JUST passed (literally earlier that week) but Hamline's was... Two days later! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I assembled an application that same day, applied, and within a month I was at my first residency.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 4pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<h2>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What was your writing experience prior to entering the program?</span></h2>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had a bachelor of arts in literary arts from Brown, where I did my undergrad, and I had written two full "novels". One was my thesis for my degree in college, and one was how I spent my summer before going off to work. The first novel is a pile of junk but the second one I'm still holding onto in hopes that I may find it a home! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 4pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<h2>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What do especially remember about your first residency?</span></h2>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So many times in the "real world" you're sitting in a meeting, or in a movie, or at a dinner and you're thinking of all the things you could be doing instead. But I never once had that feeling at residency. Every lecture, every reading, and (especially!!!) every one-off conversation with my Hamlettes. It was like "oh so this is what it feels like to love what you're doing!" </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 4pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<h2>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">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?</span></h2>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I came in thinking I wrote YA and it turns out I write everything but. My voice tends toward middle grade, so a lot of what I've ended up with falls in different areas of that age group. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I did a fair bit of exploring! Before Hamline I hadn't even read a picture book (since I was, say, three) and now I've written, like, ten, and some of them are actually good! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I also tried writing a graphic novel (didn't get too far before I got distracted by my actual attempt at a YA, but I'll come back to it!), and my creative thesis ended up being a novel in verse.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No way I would have tried that two years ago. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 4pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<h2>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tell us about your Creative Thesis.</span></h2>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WELL SINCE YOU ASKED! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THE MUSIC MY KEYBOARD MAKES is a middle grade novel in verse about a twelve-year-old girl named Emmy learning to program in Java. She's painfully shy, winding up in the computer class almost by accident, but she finds herself connecting to the course material, often going so far as to incorporate it into her poetry. Through the language of computers, Emmy builds a relationship to herself, her school, and her classmates. But as the real world starts provide challenges of its own, she finds herself wishing everything in life could be broken down into a series of ones and zeroes. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 4pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<h2>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What changes have you seen in your writing during your studies?</span></h2>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before, me no right good. Now, me right good! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 4pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<h2>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program?</span></h2>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.5pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do it!! Do it!! Dooooo eeeeeeet!!! </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</span></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-73803476180965402852017-06-15T12:33:00.000-05:002017-06-15T12:33:47.104-05:00Announcing Our New Blog Editor<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
Congratulations to Tiffany Grimes (MFAC '15), our new Inkpot Blog Editor!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6gLODVQ8s1BAj47P60vD4XD9djP8QXGC4CHP-7cXP_dqDH3MQ_PmK0SBbX7rEQbMkkpUqjFta_9AklIF7LfRgR-Nhv1Ao1bYJsBmfiUKZ50RePjCfBWBg-ucrJqP9tjA7qNR1_QzXm8/s1600/TIffany+Grimes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Tiffany Grimes, Inkpot blog editor" border="0" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6gLODVQ8s1BAj47P60vD4XD9djP8QXGC4CHP-7cXP_dqDH3MQ_PmK0SBbX7rEQbMkkpUqjFta_9AklIF7LfRgR-Nhv1Ao1bYJsBmfiUKZ50RePjCfBWBg-ucrJqP9tjA7qNR1_QzXm8/s400/TIffany+Grimes.jpg" title="Tiffany Grimes, Inkpot blog editor" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2;"><br />Tiffany Grimes is a minimalist (excluding cats: cats bring joy, thus more <br />cats equal happiness). She graduated from Hamline in 2015 and currently writes <br />and breathes in Portland, OR. Follow her on Twitter </span><a href="http://qtiffany./" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2;">@Qtiffany.</a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2;"><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
Tiffany will take over the blog management duties later in July. Plus, more exciting blog changes coming soon!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
Welcome, Tiffany!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-12215648435478744562017-06-07T11:58:00.000-05:002017-06-07T12:02:01.639-05:00BEST OF: Agenting Tips of the Day, Part 2<div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: medium;">NOTE: While we work on some exciting Inkpot renovations, </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: medium;">we'll be featuring some favorite past posts here on this space.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">[ originally published in February 2016 ]</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">Today MFAC alum and agent extraordinaire <b>Jodell Sadler*</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">is set to share insights and secrets about the world of agents. This time she will answer your submitted questions from the last month, and a few extra ones submitted by the Inkpot.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></span>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Q: If an agency doesn’t post a timeframe for their
response times, what is an appropriate length of time after you haven’t heard
from one agent at a specific agency to query another agent at the same house? Of course, I know that you NEVER query two agents at the same house at
the same time, but the “rule” for successive queries is pretty murky.</b><br />
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My best advice is to email and ask. I often get
queried with unrealistic timelines. For example, a writer might write that I
have one week as an exclusive prior to a conference and in reality, if I am in
contract negotiations or working on a timeline for another writer, I may not
read submissions that week. Plus, there are critiques to complete prior to
conferences so time fills with that as well. Most important: follow posted guidelines.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What we know is that agents know the preferences of their colleagues and if your manuscript might be more suited to another agent in that house, they will likely share it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSi896Ec1V6pC9ND1joj1J72Cr7LCxfwbVJLhSYDkLKXB1m581dfnqmIl2G53Wc-nPnoaliF4r79LfrJ-Z6DN2SrFmjVU6Lag4jzsCUXvOgfv3fBAXJ2r7BFq-LGx_oRkDJkgHstFpOM/s1600/blogging-336376_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSi896Ec1V6pC9ND1joj1J72Cr7LCxfwbVJLhSYDkLKXB1m581dfnqmIl2G53Wc-nPnoaliF4r79LfrJ-Z6DN2SrFmjVU6Lag4jzsCUXvOgfv3fBAXJ2r7BFq-LGx_oRkDJkgHstFpOM/s320/blogging-336376_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would also encourage you to continue to write, stay
focused on craft, seek nonfiction projects to fill time gaps, and really stay
focused on what you passionately want to share in print. These ideas rise up
and garner attention. What I see is that often times manuscripts are shared too
soon, and may not have the emotional depth needed to carry readers to the end. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What
we know is that the direction of your novel and main character’s views and
world view need to happen immediately and of don’t happen in a first draft. These
types of edits really happen on your forth, fifth or twenty-first draft. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s really important for you to explore your work
and be tough on yourself in regard to characterization, setting, plot points
and the emotional journey as well as the pacing of you manuscript. That final
edit will include a look at musicality and language and how well you are
alerting your reader as you move through your plot. You should be sure to set
your work aside and then pull it back out to review and think about the visual
story. Are you showing and making active scene shifts dramatic and clear? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Q: I don't have a very active social media
life. Is it necessary to have a platform in order to attract an
agent? If so, what are some tips that I can use to start building up an
online presence?</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s more imperative for an illustrator to maintain
a platform, but we live in a world of social technology and every writer will
need to embark on that journey at some point. It’s nice to set yourself up as a
writer for author visits so when the time comes, you preparedness meets
opportunity. I Google every submission I enjoy and try to see what their online
presence includes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As far as illustrators, so often I receive a PDF of
a few images and that is not enough to represent someone from. Agents will be looking
for movement and energy and fluidity of your work. How well do you show off
your visual storytelling? Is there a reason for the many things that are
pictured in a particular scene? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Q: Are agents more interested in an author who has
a series of books? Is there still a place for stand-alone fiction?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An agent is interested in great writing and a
marketable manuscript. I am sure this will vary from agent and agency. We all
have focuses and are as unique and diverse as writers. Agents are not
cookie-cutter and are as unique as you are as a writer. Some writers plot
stories out; others string their work from scene to scene but both end up with
a quality piece of writing. Some writers outline; others do not. But it’s all a
process and there’s not a right way or a wrong way—everyone’s process is
different. In this same way, some might
look for series because they’ve successfully placed a few and enjoy working
with them. Others might look for that one book that’s fresh, literary, or
commercial. I have represented series projects as well as stand-alones and do
not have a preference as long as I am passionate about the project. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Q: How much time do you spend looking at each query? I know for
most agents it's not much - so how long DO we really have to hook an agent
before they move on to the next person?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7h_3GMqTsKZ6oQTRR5OMTjgzHJC05R0-BPdJ3MiegDr1Kx6Jn56QMEIlkujSjzjuBuQdHZf6kbCzeeRd4YELjPEYoGe1FCCBrQP_hBSDTu2X9qV3m_CJyrTBOTYqc-C4KqYMWvqEudU/s1600/pencils-762555_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7h_3GMqTsKZ6oQTRR5OMTjgzHJC05R0-BPdJ3MiegDr1Kx6Jn56QMEIlkujSjzjuBuQdHZf6kbCzeeRd4YELjPEYoGe1FCCBrQP_hBSDTu2X9qV3m_CJyrTBOTYqc-C4KqYMWvqEudU/s320/pencils-762555_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I read: “I know for most agents it’s not much,” I do not believe this
to be true. Agents seriously consider quality submissions that follow
guidelines, present a great cover letter, especially when you share a bio that
shows your commitment to children’s literature and writing. For me, I’d have your MFA
placed after your name in the subject line. You’ve earned it and it shows your
commitment. Think about your submission as a package that shows your
professionalism. I’ve had some crazy submissions in my short time agenting and
here are some things to remember:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Take into
consideration how your email reads, how you sign off, and your Google image if
you share one. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Be sure
to address the agent by full name and give reasons for contacting that
particular agent/agency.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Include
your contact information on your cover letter as well as the manuscript if you
have been asked to submit a Word doc.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Be sure
your focus is on your manuscript itself as it really is all about the writing.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The submission bin is a funny thing and I’ve missed some great writers
and illustrators and there have been times when I would have loved to have read
something that interests me but have been too busy with other things to do so.
It’s just vital for you to stay working and producing and remaining positive
about your work and career as a children’s literature professional.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckBs6UUV-xoj9FILMsch_dGHyxRDOyp_ZMMlqpa_veBUm16UjN9-PFRJ2nzorE1nFIviuzFrlXs3aq_qsXseC9v9mMWEoArJ4Q0pDhwmVq0AzHyR8inuYKFNqH-kmWhUs-QEJBctAIfw/s1600/writing-923882_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckBs6UUV-xoj9FILMsch_dGHyxRDOyp_ZMMlqpa_veBUm16UjN9-PFRJ2nzorE1nFIviuzFrlXs3aq_qsXseC9v9mMWEoArJ4Q0pDhwmVq0AzHyR8inuYKFNqH-kmWhUs-QEJBctAIfw/s320/writing-923882_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are lucky enough to be asked to submit a full manuscript or a revision based
on feedback, do not make hasty revisions and resubmit in a few minutes. Give it
time to digest and really let the suggestions soak in. This marks your
opportunity to make your piece the best it can be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Q: What does a typical day in the life of an agent
look like?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can’t speak for all agents. I only know how I
work, and the focus it takes me to place a piece of writing. A typical day
includes tending to the manuscript and writer I happen to be working with,
requests, and contracts and responding to editors, and then also fitting in
time to review work on new submissions while also tending to in-bound
submissions and reading new projects. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Q: What inspired you to create KidLit College? </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wanted to share craft learning when it comes to
writing. I’ve learned so much from other writers and industry professionals and
it made sense to me to help writers improve craft and make connections. I’m a
huge advocate for craft and learning it and webinars and classes and critiques
help coach a writer towards a great product deliverable and that’s the mission
of KidLit College.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Q: What should writers and illustrators look for in
attending conferences: online or in person? </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Register for a critique, follow up, and submit your
work. Really delve into craft. Attend webinars and lectures and apply it. Stay
involved and get involved with a quality critique group. If you have the opportunity to submit, to an
editor or agent, please present your best work. Write that strong cover letter
and present a short pitch for your project. When you submit, it really is about
getting to know you are and your work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Please comment with your questions below as our next posting will include
feedback from other agents as well.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy Writing, Everyone!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px;" /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px;">*</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">Jodell Sadler is an Editorial Agent at </span><a href="https://jillcorcoranliteraryagency.com/jodell-sadler-editorial-agent/" style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" target="_blank">Jill Corcoran Literary Agency</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"> and founder/contributor at </span><a href="http://kidlitcollege.com/" style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" target="_blank">KidLit College</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">. She also teaches and presents on "pacing a story strong" nationwide.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-79463051845743122592017-05-31T15:10:00.002-05:002017-06-01T12:23:29.881-05:00BEST OF: Agenting Tips of the Day from Jodell Sadler (Part 1)<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">NOTE: While we work on some exciting Inkpot renovations, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">we'll be featuring some favorite past posts here on this space.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4klXzgfSPv8lViENQigQHFy-nIZg7rkZnmorC_xZJK5ndgYDY-4p5zZ_AXSkLNRycaHAuxuTRoY27Ns3YKwCcqXlGHMOMQA8meYumC0Nra5Tls8RWPM_WbBmKFdJELSuPUVtdATPXKJE/s1600/sadler.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jodell Sadler, The Storyteller's Inkpot" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4klXzgfSPv8lViENQigQHFy-nIZg7rkZnmorC_xZJK5ndgYDY-4p5zZ_AXSkLNRycaHAuxuTRoY27Ns3YKwCcqXlGHMOMQA8meYumC0Nra5Tls8RWPM_WbBmKFdJELSuPUVtdATPXKJE/s200/sadler.jpeg" title="Jodell Sadler, The Storyteller's Inkpot" width="173" /></a>MFAC alum and agent extraordinaire <b>Jodell Sadler* </b>has generously offered to answer a few questions about the ever mysterious world of agents - and how to find one. Read on to find out her agent tips of the day!<br />
<br />
<b>What are agents looking for from a craft point of view?</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4b7lx1Q-_BC0i-wgQHRejUNE-hAaGcmKmOegNZSxGoT_MTqe_VItPSyIyCyLa-slynGJjGtzykYbn-1AXh4I6yGCrS1bFrybGUgdhGqHei6WUeKG-FsmLpcR9dU4ET7qVTGuZ0yaA70/s1600/ray-bradbury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4b7lx1Q-_BC0i-wgQHRejUNE-hAaGcmKmOegNZSxGoT_MTqe_VItPSyIyCyLa-slynGJjGtzykYbn-1AXh4I6yGCrS1bFrybGUgdhGqHei6WUeKG-FsmLpcR9dU4ET7qVTGuZ0yaA70/s400/ray-bradbury.jpg" width="265" /></a>Agents look for great writing and great story, pure and simple. It has to be both. When a unique idea comes along, it stands out. When a unique voice pops up in the inbox, it stands up and announces itself. When I open a submission and sense a writer has studied his/her craft and places me in story within the first lines, pages and chapter, I forget I am reading a story, and its the magic I look for. It makes me want to acquire yesterday and work with that writer.<br />
<br />
The next concern is if a writer can carry story over the muddy middle. I look for a well-paced manuscript: active verbs, honed sentences with diction that pauses me at emotional hot points and enhances my focus in a masterful way—just really great sentences. I ask myself a few questions: do the words match the action of scenes? Do I sense emotional depth, original character, and worldview and does the piece have both layers and legs?<br />
<br />
More than anything, I crave fresh, original, creative, interactive, and genuinely engaging stuff. What’s the personality and voice used in your cover letter? Are you presenting to an agent your personality and passion? Are you using comedic timing and pause well and asking they pay attention to the underpinnings of your words? I love that quote from William Zinsser, “You are the product that you sell” or the notion the late Ray Bradbury speaks to: writers learn the rules and how to break them well up until that day that the process of writing becomes “all in an of their fingers”—and they no longer think about it. If you have earned your MFA, you are well on your way. So, write. Write from that passionate place where story comes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzk8gaata1nQY3nJuGEyYR6gyDD-aeQ3rMLUMd1fI0bWh_Jb-4qlZOtrGatYnkWKcoH0V9jSiLaWwdz6tHYX_yc4nwy8_KSItOMWdiW4ab5zp7i3BBLoHmvMf9WR8AwkbYVNDWOK2N3U/s1600/princess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzk8gaata1nQY3nJuGEyYR6gyDD-aeQ3rMLUMd1fI0bWh_Jb-4qlZOtrGatYnkWKcoH0V9jSiLaWwdz6tHYX_yc4nwy8_KSItOMWdiW4ab5zp7i3BBLoHmvMf9WR8AwkbYVNDWOK2N3U/s1600/princess.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>What are some writing clichés to avoid?</b><br />
<br />
Princess and holiday books cause allergic reactions for me. I see them too often in my submissions bin. I prefer commercial, literary—that surprising, new material that makes me want to snatch it up. Material that presents that wow-factor and leaves me thinking: “I with I had thought of that!” moment is perfect.<br />
<br />
When I first started out as an agent, I felt I could help any writer who was committed to his/her career, held an MFA, but that has since changed. It’s all about collaboration and a project I can genuinely connect to and believe in. As an agent, especially an editorial one, we spend time with the manuscripts, reading them and rereading. So, I am careful to take on projects and writers or writer-illustrators I feel connected to. I look for that writing professional who partners with an agent to further a career.<br />
<br />
I’ve come to enjoy finding clients at events and workshops because I learn more about how they work, how they edit, and who they are. What I know is that when I take on a client who dedicated to improving craft and has a great manuscript in hand, that’s perfect. You should be savvy about what is out and current in the marketplace—enough to know when a manuscript feels like it is written from a mentor text or includes lines so similar to established text that it feels cliché.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Do I need to have a full draft of my novel?</b><br />
<br />
Yes. You should have a full draft of your novel to submit. We are looking for that next great book. It’s nice to have other manuscripts in the works as well, ideally ready, but one great book is what we look for. I personally enjoy working with writers who work in more than one category, a writer who enjoys nonfiction as well as fiction, or is a writer and also an illustrator, or a picture book writer who also writes YA.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqntvtHSE11esNabuHkD8ABAaa5rtgWoEbkXNaFDpuVPyWn3u0HtQF9jcm7esHaI9ns21M3yJWNNWx8vamn8we4hViNLt882KCRhihFMxOBtTPXI9FIlSlG1J4NpE7nMpKV22XBiCprA/s1600/revision.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqntvtHSE11esNabuHkD8ABAaa5rtgWoEbkXNaFDpuVPyWn3u0HtQF9jcm7esHaI9ns21M3yJWNNWx8vamn8we4hViNLt882KCRhihFMxOBtTPXI9FIlSlG1J4NpE7nMpKV22XBiCprA/s1600/revision.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>How much revision should I do before I submit?</b><br />
<br />
Your novel should be through a number of revisions, for it is usually in the 8th or 56th that we reach that depth needed to skyrocket our manuscript toward success. I was working on a manuscript the other day, or just looking for where I was at in my own revisions, and I found a draft marked 222. I laughed. I remember how I felt at the time I saved it like that. Some stories come to us and the muse opens up and others find there way through the labyrinth of our souls, but they find their way. Our job is to nurture it onto the page. And with pluck and a little luck and butt-in-chair (BIC), we, ever onward, reach our goals. It’s what writers do. What you need to know is that with MFA in hand, you are on that journey, so enjoy it, celebrate it, and cherish the small successes as you move forward.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>What are some tips about writing a cover letter?</b><br />
<br />
My biggest tips are two-fold: keep it short and be yourself. We get so many submissions, so those that share their personality in the cover page stand out. I enjoy it when the cover letter matches the tone of the manuscript.<br />
<br />
One of my favorite submissions was from an author-illustrator who mentioned his work in a three parts; he works as an art director, cut his teeth at DC comics, and cries at most Tom Hank movies. This is a breathing person who feels real and friendly. He’s been fabulous to work with and we are currently contracting his fourth book, a two-book deal with more in the works. Another great submission came from a writer who shared her cover letter in her main character’s point of view and voice. It was really engaging. And so was the work that followed.<br />
<br />
I’ve been on enough editor-agent panels now to know that when I suggest to keep these short, it’s the best advice I can give you. A lot of us feel this way. When I see a long, long cover letter, I get hives and think “I’ll read that one later” and may not. It’s professional to by concise and clear. Short means it fits on my computer screen without scrolling down. Keep it simple, direct, and memorable.<br />
<br />
What matters most about your submission? Your manuscript. For your cover letter, spend the most time honing that pitch for your manuscript. Write that in a way that makes me crave your read and you will be in great shape. I often read this pitch and move right to reading the manuscript. Really. When my in bin fills fast and furious like a wild thing, it’s a must. Some twenty to one hundred submissions a day is normal life as an agent and really why we are sometimes slow responding. If I write an article, at times that number can reach 500-600 in a month.<br />
<br />
When I’ve been the submission agent following an online event, I’ve received this number from just one group—all picture books. When I attend conferences, critiques get added to this reading. When I want to send out clients’ manuscript, important reading and editing gets added to this reading. So do realize that when we are slow to respond, we are diligently and constantly working to catch up.<br />
<br />
So my other piece of advice is to take the time to read and adhere to the specific guidelines for each agent you send your work to. When I receive submissions written to the agent they sent to just prior to me (Happens a lot just prior to events I am scheduled to attend—I think writers send to the agents that will be there and simply forget to change the name) or to “Dear agent” (really? Didn’t bother to look my name up) or Mr. Sadler (did I really have a sex change overnight? Hmm), I know this writer has not taken the time to consider me as a professional or present him/herself as a professional.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Will my agent work on revising something with me?</b></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbS9cgULN1i1NZAZ4GSodmCaeRa0mdtIOSRoIjwzBR_LrxRhaPK9SpOTvc0_IRl4BA6xJ1s9Vcxwl-DRC34f8PhLJrXMb-pjtxIcuv5bT9FcHzSHJfaMX9Gc-ATF-PB6cQmWosGrM1-0/s1600/writing-with-an-agent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbS9cgULN1i1NZAZ4GSodmCaeRa0mdtIOSRoIjwzBR_LrxRhaPK9SpOTvc0_IRl4BA6xJ1s9Vcxwl-DRC34f8PhLJrXMb-pjtxIcuv5bT9FcHzSHJfaMX9Gc-ATF-PB6cQmWosGrM1-0/s1600/writing-with-an-agent.jpg" /></a>Agents are the new editors in many ways. We look for work that is so ready to send that it already sings. It’s nice when we only have a few things to consider like setting or depth of characterization, or chapter breaks and shifts, or subplots or threads that need more attention. In the case of picture books, a lot of time can be spent on crafting fresh and thinking about what will elevate a piece in the marketplace.<br />
<br />
I’ve recently launched KIDLIT COLLEGE (<a href="http://kidlitcollege.org/">kidlitcollege.org</a>), which hosts great webinar events with editors and agents, who also do critiques. In a recent event, Allison Moore talked about Big Story Ideas and shared how to position your work to complete in the marketplace and stand out. This past weekend, Ann Whitford Paul joined Jill Corcoran to talk about picture book craft. Ann talked about the ABCs of writing picture books, which was fabulous and gave detailed list of what to do, and literary agent extraordinaire, Jill Corcoran joined her to talk about what agents look for.<br />
<br />
Find these kind of opportunities to get your work critiqued and reviewed by editor and agents. From our first webinar alone three manuscripts out of 20-ish where requested by the critiquing editor, so it’s a great move.<br />
<br />
I often say that while we don’t write to the market, per se, we do need our work to fit into a market category. It’s a different ballgame to craft a story than to craft a story that will sell. I know a book is one I can take on when I can instantly think of three editors I can share it with.<br />
<br />
Agents work on revisions, but an editorial agent definitely does, and this is all a process. I now use Google hangouts to work with clients because it saves a lot of back and forth emailing. We read and mark up and then chat about the piece and what needs to happen to make it ready to send out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZw5Covi3ffV182Bq5x70IRr1CuwvyYoSOUWhkuXJKOfWiDJdPirKPvbzZSiikitjMUmG0dcGsgUBANtLZnzjRtbszdSAMd7aYfKlJxf5XekW5BZJKl8zx2Vu4R4gM9cSYS8vrdxVtOs/s1600/stack-of-papers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZw5Covi3ffV182Bq5x70IRr1CuwvyYoSOUWhkuXJKOfWiDJdPirKPvbzZSiikitjMUmG0dcGsgUBANtLZnzjRtbszdSAMd7aYfKlJxf5XekW5BZJKl8zx2Vu4R4gM9cSYS8vrdxVtOs/s1600/stack-of-papers.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>What catches an agent's eye and makes them want to read more?</b><br />
<br />
Voice. Original idea. Different. Captivating. And Firsts. The first line, paragraph, pages and chapters of your novel need to be the best you’re capable of. We need character, setting, plot hints and voice all at once. How important is this? Huge. In the first week of my MG/YA pacing course, I talk about the importance of firsts. I also recently did a Writer’s Digest Webinar with Leslie Shumate, assistant editor at Little Brown Books for Young readers, and she will also be talking about first pages and we have Leslie joining us at KidLit College in October: “Making First Impressions”—and she definitely knows what she is talking about.<br />
<br />
I believe in one simple truth: A writer who hones his/her craft will earn the book deal. There are no short cuts. A manuscript has to be top quality. This was the whole reason I started KIDLIT COLLEGE, and asked presenters to talk about craft. Ariel Richardson, assistant editor at Chronicle, will be talking about “What Makes Nonfiction Great” in September, and Yolanda Scott, executive director at Charlesbridge, will talk about “The Whole Book Approach to writing picture books in November. We also have an author-agent team talking about The author-agent relationship in a few short weeks, titled, “I’ve Got Your Back,” which pretty much sums up a great team approach to agenting.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>If you could give one tip to new authors, what would it be?</b><br />
<br />
Write the best manuscript, that manuscript only you can write, and write it strong in your voice and style and trust in the journey—it’s a good one.<br />
<br />
<br />
Thanks Jodell for all the great advice! <br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
*Jodell Sadler is an Editorial Agent at <a href="https://jillcorcoranliteraryagency.com/jodell-sadler-editorial-agent/" target="_blank">Jill Corcoran Literary Agency</a> and founder/contributor at <a href="http://kidlitcollege.com/" target="_blank">KidLit College</a>. She also teaches and presents on "pacing a story strong" nationwide. Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-18996649433439766142017-05-12T12:29:00.000-05:002017-05-12T12:42:42.002-05:00BEST OF: Claire Rudolf Murphy and John Lewis<i><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #e69138;">While we work on some exciting Inkpot renovations, we'll be featuring some favorite past posts here on this space. First up, from December 2014:<br /> </span></span></i><br />
<div>
<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>FACULTY VOICES with CLAIRE RUDOLF MURPHY –– A WRITER'S GRATITUDE LIST: JOHN LEWIS</b></span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNN_9ga9NOuSRjbp-zHKQTPgW82qibCkJKbRD07JXMDK4BNFQCjHpqXIqxlIhIn9maL2GVyrqSQDfoykVKu8cOz5Fg2-D_KGrR6nFxxvvMYyLF2Klx5Bf2u3_r2clAZxvQAckW0fXlCM/s1600/150murphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNN_9ga9NOuSRjbp-zHKQTPgW82qibCkJKbRD07JXMDK4BNFQCjHpqXIqxlIhIn9maL2GVyrqSQDfoykVKu8cOz5Fg2-D_KGrR6nFxxvvMYyLF2Klx5Bf2u3_r2clAZxvQAckW0fXlCM/s1600/150murphy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hamline.edu/HUContent.aspx?pageid=4294971146" target="_blank">Claire Rudolf Murphy</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;">I began this post before <a href="http://thestorytellersinkpot.blogspot.com/2014/11/alumni-voices-with-maggie-moris-giving.html" target="_blank">Maggie Moris’ thought-provoking gratitude post</a>. Thank you, Maggie, for reminding us about the deep work we writers
do<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">—</span>every day. I too am grateful for the challenges my writing life presents
and for other aspects about this life that I don’t always appreciate<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">—</span>my
supportive friends and husband, agents and editors who tell it straight and
send me back to the work, the students, alums and faculty of the Hamline
writing community that feed me in so many ways. And I am thankful for one of
the most incredible experiences of my writing life that took place out in the
world, not at my desk.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;">Please bear with my excited verbiage about my recent trip to
Washington, D.C. for the National Council of Teachers of English conference. I
am so very grateful. I flew out two days early to experience our nation’s
capital again. Because I write about history, I wanted to visit the halls of
power again where so many decisions have been made, to be reminded again about the
evolution of our country. Thanks to Hamline alum Ellen Kazimer, a history geek
like myself, we got around brilliantly. The second day we visited Mount Vernon
where I came to appreciate our first president more deeply and to embrace the
fact that he graces the cover of my new book <i><a href="http://www.clairerudolfmurphy.com/" target="_blank">My Country Tis of Thee</a></i>, rather than Aretha Franklin. We also met an
awesome fife player and guide whose interactions with third graders on our tour
modeled ways to help young people enjoy history. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DraFy7JOkVSl15nboxtkgfi2hXAk3K0GJBtldh8JVownYbcYQLAIz-SsehEY7UhFumbqMTRhp81IEu6MA3nG59bG4PWj-rwSwMB2twUkTiRIuo00aGk-5wmK0CDnxSo1cJz_FHiH-rc/s1600/12_1A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DraFy7JOkVSl15nboxtkgfi2hXAk3K0GJBtldh8JVownYbcYQLAIz-SsehEY7UhFumbqMTRhp81IEu6MA3nG59bG4PWj-rwSwMB2twUkTiRIuo00aGk-5wmK0CDnxSo1cJz_FHiH-rc/s1600/12_1A.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;">But the first day rocked my soul. Ellen and I toured the
Supreme Court and the capital. Across the hall from my senator<span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">—</span>Maria Cantwell<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">—</span>is Al Franken’s office. Ellen and I were delighted to take a photo in front
of the Minnesota college pennants on his wall and tell the office staff all about the
Hamline MFAC program. Then we heard testimony on immigration on a mostly empty
Senate floor, some of it inflammatory behind belief. But I want to focus on the
positive, on what came next.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;">Ellen and I arrived at Congressman John Lewis’ office about
fifteen minutes ahead of the interview time. I had met John at ALA last summer
and he had agreed to discuss my new book project with me. Even so, I was
delighted when his scheduler set me up with a face-to-face interview, only
requesting the questions ahead of time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;">We had to wait awhile as the House was actually working that
day, voting on some bill. Like a cat on a hot tin roof, I could barely sit
still. Ellen admitted later that she was surprised how nervous I was. I was
too. But John Lewis was my hero<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 16px;">—</span>Freedom Rider, speaker at the March on
Washington, a member of Bobby Kennedy’s presidential campaign staff and, most
importantly, the last civil rights activist serving in Congress. The 45 minute
delay was a blessing. Ellen and I were allowed to stand in his office, which is
like a museum to the Civil Rights movement and full of plaques honoring John’s
service to our country. Bobby’s poster can be seen in the photo Ellen took of
me and John. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmkcGVa6CeCPpMKUoJmWuXQOOO8HRc7NdSyM1u3NTjHTr0nEYUefiYpka6CLCdlHqq9nVgThhc6kOAQ-u31skwniVzn-4BhQwmpmllig_G9kE7QCZJD8n7D_3OYE4fl3S-5maCAN2DzY/s1600/12_1B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmkcGVa6CeCPpMKUoJmWuXQOOO8HRc7NdSyM1u3NTjHTr0nEYUefiYpka6CLCdlHqq9nVgThhc6kOAQ-u31skwniVzn-4BhQwmpmllig_G9kE7QCZJD8n7D_3OYE4fl3S-5maCAN2DzY/s1600/12_1B.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;">He’d been on the go all day, but when he arrived, he asked
us if we needed something to drink. To drink! I know, I know. My students are
thinking to themselves how much I abhor exclamation marks. But . . . that’s how
it went down. He was gracious and thoughtful and considered every question. We
had a great conversation about his time with Dr. King and the Kennedys. All my
questions were answered, and I only glanced once at my list. In closing I asked
him what I should write about today’s racism challenges, what I should say to young
people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;">“Tell them never to lose hope. We have to have hope.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;">John Lewis should know. He’d been beaten senseless as a
Freedom Rider in 1962, lost Dr. King and Bobby within two months of each other
in 1968, seen Congress devolve to petty partisan politics. He didn’t cover up
his pain during our interview. He’s just risen above it. He’s used that pain to
keep going. My hero gave me sixty minutes of his precious time. Afterwards he
left to receive another award - from the Washington Historical Society. But he
talked to me like he had all the time in the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #444444;">NCTE
was wonderful. I got to meet librarians, teachers and college professors who
love kids’ books as much as do. I had coffee with the amazing <a href="http://www.hamline.edu/faculty/emily-jenkins.html" target="_blank">Emily Jenkins</a> and
we chatted about our upcoming residency. I listened to <a href="http://www.bryancollier.com/" target="_blank">Bryan Collier</a> discuss
how he painted the illustrations for <i>My
Country Tis of Thee</i>, and learned that he stood on the Rotunda that cold,
cold January day with his five year old daughter when President Obama was
inaugurated and Aretha sang. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #444444;">I
will never forget that hour with John Lewis. Whenever I get down and out about
my writing, politics or global warming, I am going to remember his words: <i>“We have to have hope.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444;">John Lewis, you give me that hope. I can only pray for a
smidgen of the courage you have shown us all. And writers out there, don’t ever
hesitate to ask for an interview with one of your heroes. We need their
stories, and you just might be the one to write it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8nrEPToXRvul7BTHEvfNb5-EmJ-2CfwfDkeVBqc-VI3M8dyWHVfz8ynTFO9w4yI-hGo4Qi2O_r-rHseedwJ_hKVnuEAGIR4r_oQ0fAe1nGKJE38XwAPei2alqFr4ZhD2EGJXcRIQla4/s1600/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8nrEPToXRvul7BTHEvfNb5-EmJ-2CfwfDkeVBqc-VI3M8dyWHVfz8ynTFO9w4yI-hGo4Qi2O_r-rHseedwJ_hKVnuEAGIR4r_oQ0fAe1nGKJE38XwAPei2alqFr4ZhD2EGJXcRIQla4/s1600/logo.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-29589738446118402232017-04-03T17:25:00.000-05:002017-04-03T17:25:09.982-05:00Faculty Voices with Claire Rudolf Murphy: March Madness and the Writing Life<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Full disclosure: this does not include brilliant insights. It’s just a fun way to celebrate life in all we do. If you are not a basketball lover, take a pass. But if you are, here goes . . .</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvbAKGo4hT8G0JLxmY1efaUbxrVEyqNPdYe6Y4Znoc3M4dWWsfXBlnI6qzKyQD8LYCL7swehZ2OpsoFPczPPrORZ52Z2DorNv4JP9WWmv1ugYTptg_itOTtsDnshFhvaarqZyYZRuDyM/s1600/zags+-+logan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvbAKGo4hT8G0JLxmY1efaUbxrVEyqNPdYe6Y4Znoc3M4dWWsfXBlnI6qzKyQD8LYCL7swehZ2OpsoFPczPPrORZ52Z2DorNv4JP9WWmv1ugYTptg_itOTtsDnshFhvaarqZyYZRuDyM/s320/zags+-+logan.jpg" width="203" /></span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For as long as I can remember, March Madness has been a family affair. My beloved Zags have made it to eighteen straight tournaments and the Gonzaga women’s team has had some good runs, too. This year the Zags’ men’s team outplayed all its skeptics and made it to the Final Four, the National Book Awards of college basketball. So I couldn’t resist sharing how it compares to our writing life.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are like me, you don’t need much to distract from your writing, especially while in a challenging stage in the process, as I am right now. This year, I kept revising my book project, but kept tuned in to the games, too.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So how is writing like basketball?</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Producing pages and watching games gives us something to cheer about.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Writing and watching games can distract us from the ongoing distressing news of late.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both writing and basketball helps me channel my dad who was proud of Zag basketball and my books.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Children’s books are sometimes not given the same attention as adult books. The same could be said of my Zags. National sports pundits would say they come from a small college in little Spokane, and a weak conference. Sure they’re going to win a lot of games, but can they play with the big boys? <span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;">It’s easy to write a kid’s book, right? And not so hard to get one published.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gonzaga men’s team has been called a mid-major for years. There’s that category of midlist for writers. So what can we do? Never stop showing up.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyJjKng4htKmzMgJ-L69XDOYccWtk9Qhfed9Rt1ImOF1gBOJfD7o34v3SpGI5drI9xgNSv-F0FxZsuyi0bG6PLDvMTGJH2MiuciKm9dGg8zlBGJ8yQcJoL8fSmIzK8LWUDnQqBmD-GOU/s1600/1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyJjKng4htKmzMgJ-L69XDOYccWtk9Qhfed9Rt1ImOF1gBOJfD7o34v3SpGI5drI9xgNSv-F0FxZsuyi0bG6PLDvMTGJH2MiuciKm9dGg8zlBGJ8yQcJoL8fSmIzK8LWUDnQqBmD-GOU/s1600/1024x1024.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Going to the Final Four is like winning a big award. There are no guarantees but if it comes, let’s celebrate. More importantly let’s celebrate another day of practice and writing, even when it’s tough.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve celebrated March Madness with Hamline students and alums for years. Like Randall Bonser and his Michigan teams and Elizabeth Schoenfeld and her Duke Blue Devils. This year I’m having fun with alum Donna Koppelman whose North Carolina team will be at the Big Dance along with her daughters’ college team - South Carolina. Oh, yeah.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">I am here at the final four and </span>would appreciate your cheers <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2027031414" tabindex="0">tonight</span> for the little engine that could against the if mAchine of North Carolina.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seize the day and write on.</span></span></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-8395720918045567382017-03-29T17:26:00.000-05:002017-03-29T17:33:00.359-05:00Faculty Voices with Sherri L. Smith: Drowning in Research<div class="p1">
Have you ever wondered how to go about building the world of an historical novel? Well, let me show you how I do it! I am currently writing a book set in 1940s Japan. Toward that end, I am:<br />
<ul>
<li>learning basic Japanese;</li>
<li>going to Japan;</li>
<li>reading the 20th of 30 or 40 books on the period and culture, including wartime diaries;</li>
<li>emailing strangers and asking them odd questions;</li>
<li>outlining;</li>
<li>day dreaming; and</li>
<li>basically drowning in research.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4x80MgInItt1Mcr4ZBUU2I6XipXMKSwnuA0WEDqT57vfUxcGe63XsfZAAHGlZudDi9ezXolhtmRa4aFTLXwfh0hdq15tcuULREyrKR6BNZh6mj9bIALF1OOaNpnf-GN5h-k-9ONkf_I/s1600/know-it-all13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4x80MgInItt1Mcr4ZBUU2I6XipXMKSwnuA0WEDqT57vfUxcGe63XsfZAAHGlZudDi9ezXolhtmRa4aFTLXwfh0hdq15tcuULREyrKR6BNZh6mj9bIALF1OOaNpnf-GN5h-k-9ONkf_I/s320/know-it-all13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is what I do. For every single book I write, I drown myself in the process. It’s probably not healthy—I have next to no room in my head for my own day-to-day life when I’m in drowning mode—and it’s never won me a championship on Jeopardy. But for the few bright moments of vision and revision, I become an idiot savant. I become an expert. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Granted, it’s a useless sort of expertise, unless you are a writer. Like cramming for a test, as soon as the book is done, the knowledge will fade to make room for the next story. Really, what good is it knowing what instruments use silk strings, or what blind men used to play in Edo period Japan, unless you are a writer (or a time traveling musician)? I can’t actually play a string instrument (if you don’t count three Groupon lessons I took for cello… and I don’t). My book doesn’t even take place during the Edo period. Does it matter if I know the name of Japanese work pants, or the common crops of a mountain farming village circa 1937?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOYB2A7oLH71Sb908mPs5-uW1lcHl49zgB7W-7ZKeeAE-FJEATBG3sUFFLQN9KcmOPCUfEnSprqiBjgsAoxkJMWPtWfBcFztzQx8cbi8WGGGJqwicpR1lHpU_6GZXH2oxqz39gIu7CU0/s1600/e1ef62152a108cac23b90bf0da3d5326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOYB2A7oLH71Sb908mPs5-uW1lcHl49zgB7W-7ZKeeAE-FJEATBG3sUFFLQN9KcmOPCUfEnSprqiBjgsAoxkJMWPtWfBcFztzQx8cbi8WGGGJqwicpR1lHpU_6GZXH2oxqz39gIu7CU0/s320/e1ef62152a108cac23b90bf0da3d5326.jpg" width="188" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hopefully, yes. To my story, and to my readers. (The pants are called monpe!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I say “hopefully” because I don’t know how much of what I am learning will be used in the final book. There is a lot of “read-and-discard” going on. I scour the internet for reference books, checking out what I can from the library, and purchasing the more obscure titles. It can be frustrating, like sifting for gold. Sometimes you buy a 500-page book that turns out to only have a paragraph or two of interest. And then, sometimes, you hit the motherlode.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like the koto player writing her own book on the spirituality of Japanese instruments. Or the sociology book about the region you are researching, tucked in the high shelves of a small used bookstore in Vermont. Suddenly, vistas open up! Volumes of information that make the warp and weft of great worldbuilding, and the intimate details that make the story ring true. It’s this sort of gold strike that makes all of the digging worthwhile. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2WFEb2g4ckRLIJG8BuZTVoewSKo5RR0eC1cuoHgMhS_diUy8jyNsE-TP6sQFp3Pl60uucYcNZjc_qZblPzx2DkQq2U-ark5QzrXxOZTslEX8o0jPSjwvy_BqqRz60yY5dLxDwwq3nng/s1600/book-flood.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2WFEb2g4ckRLIJG8BuZTVoewSKo5RR0eC1cuoHgMhS_diUy8jyNsE-TP6sQFp3Pl60uucYcNZjc_qZblPzx2DkQq2U-ark5QzrXxOZTslEX8o0jPSjwvy_BqqRz60yY5dLxDwwq3nng/s320/book-flood.png" width="214" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While the work seems huge, I like to start small. I like to use kids’ books—they give you the short version of your research, and often come with a handy list of cited sources. Those are the adult books I turn to next. From there, I develop my story, making a list of what I don’t know along the way. And then I start asking question of myself, the story, and take that list to the library, the internet, looking for answers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I do my research before, during, and after a draft. Every time I feel stuck, it usually means I need to do more research.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And remember, nothing you learn is wasted, even if you discard it for now. Somewhere deep inside that sea of knowledge, you might find the seeds to your next story. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'}
</style>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Sherri L. Smith</b> is the author of several award-winning young adult novels, including the 2009 California Book Awards Gold Medalist, <i>Flygirl, </i>the “cli-fi” adventure, <i>Orleans</i> and the middle grade historical fantasy, <i>The Toymaker’s Apprentice</i>. Her books appear on multiple state lists and have been named Amelia Bloomer and American Library Association Best Books for Young People selections. Sherri has worked in comic books, animation, construction, and most recently, a monster factory. Currently, she teaches in the MFA Writing program at Goddard College and the Children’s Writing MFA program at Hamline University. Her latest book is the YA noir mystery, <i>Pasadena</i>. Learn more at <a href="http://www.sherrilsmith.com/"><span style="color: #990000;">www.sherrilsmith.com</span></a>.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-78518621908258415372017-03-16T14:26:00.001-05:002017-03-16T15:25:08.706-05:00Alumni Voices with Jane O'Reilly: The Notations of Cooper Cameron Cover Reveal!<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I am thrilled with the cover for </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The Notations of Cooper Cameron</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">. It was designed by the amazing artist,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Julie McLaughlin, who managed to squeeze just about the whole book onto one page.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoE-C9ZNHgdkK1AWB4ll2WJ7k6X-pPCOb_sl73CC0gGmu_lrtmsSo3mf3bqRLamHSvl0s4sNMDG1Ec3rR0gDM0WosqECza5kah0JYqH_UUU6NcnE14zX3NZG-ItnUrWzepduYHRweOoGw/s1600/CooperCameron_CVR+FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoE-C9ZNHgdkK1AWB4ll2WJ7k6X-pPCOb_sl73CC0gGmu_lrtmsSo3mf3bqRLamHSvl0s4sNMDG1Ec3rR0gDM0WosqECza5kah0JYqH_UUU6NcnE14zX3NZG-ItnUrWzepduYHRweOoGw/s1600/CooperCameron_CVR+FINAL.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Notations of Cooper Cameron </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">by Jane O’Reilly</span></i></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Cover by Julie McLaughlin</i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Pub date: 10/1/17</i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>CarolRhoda Books, A Division of Lerner Publishing</i></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Excerpt from The Notations of Cooper Cameron</span></b></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">“Cooper,” his mother says. “I have just the job for you. Caddie and I will make the beds. Think you can bring in the groceries?”</span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The groceries are a big and important job. Food is sustenance. Food gives life. Yes, he can bring in the groceries. He will bring in the groceries to make his mother happy.</span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The cereal boxes and chips and cookies fit into place on the open shelves like puzzle pieces. Soup cans and salt and cinnamon and many other red-capped spices are stacked in perfect rows. The groceries are snug and safe, like ancient cliff dwellings packed into the mesa. Everything fits. And it is beautiful.</span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">“Cooper, what in the world. . .?” His mother says.</span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">“Geez, Cooper,” Caddie says.</span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">His mother squeezes Caddie’s hand to keep her quiet. Smiles at Cooper. He sees her think he doesn’t know. Sees her pretend everything is okay and he aches with this lie. </span></div>
<div class="p5">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Summary from the jacket</span></b></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Eleven-year-old Cooper Cameron likes things to be in order.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">When he eats, he chews every bite three times on each side.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sometimes he washes his hands in the air with invisible water.</span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">After the death of his beloved grandfather, Cooper invented these rituals, believing he could protect those he loves from terrible harm.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">When Cooper’s strange behavior drives a wedge between his parents, and his relationship with his older sister, Caddie, begins to fray, his mother’s only solution is to take Cooper and Caddie to the old family cabin for the summer.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Armed with his prized possessions—a collection of rocks, his pet frog and pocket-sized notebooks in which he records his observations of the confusing world around him, Cooper vows to cure himself and repair his damaged family. </span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.janeoreilly.net/">Jane O’Reilly</a> is a 2009 graduate of the <a href="http://www.hamline.edu/cla/mfac/">Hamline MFAC program</a>. Her first book, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Secret of Goldenrod</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">, which published on October 1, 2016, received starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist, and was named a Junior Library Guild Selection and a “Kirkus Best Book” of 2016. Jane is also the recipient of a McKnight Fellowship in screenwriting. Her forthcoming book, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Notations of Cooper Cameron</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">, about a boy with OCD, was inspired by the childhood of her older sister, Catherine. Just like Cooper, the main character, Jane spent many summers at the family cabin in the North Woods. Although their children live out of state, Jane and her husband remain in their hometown of Minneapolis with their elderly cat and brand new puppy.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></i></div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Times}
p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times}
p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px}
p.p4 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'}
p.p5 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 15.0px}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-35656600478505505962017-03-14T17:28:00.000-05:002017-03-14T17:28:48.591-05:00Alumni Voices with Polly Alice: Changing Lives<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear MFAC Hamliners and Alums,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-v0Lu7O0H5ny5jdcrDZ-RtqZnrC0cQminXmOgZkXnFnVSAIw4zOtP8FQX8TA6MGZEsNICYR4WmTOIeXk_yVeFRg8ICS6cFiObhvCnoMgPc0SGpZ-w_Fb-YY6RFwcxvru3P7LnxE30RBI/s1600/knitting+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-v0Lu7O0H5ny5jdcrDZ-RtqZnrC0cQminXmOgZkXnFnVSAIw4zOtP8FQX8TA6MGZEsNICYR4WmTOIeXk_yVeFRg8ICS6cFiObhvCnoMgPc0SGpZ-w_Fb-YY6RFwcxvru3P7LnxE30RBI/s320/knitting+room.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was so great to be at the winter Hamline Residency this
year for a few days. I was inspired, encouraged and impressed by all the new
faces. I’m writing to you from my sewing
room/ office well really it’s my mother’s office. I have no idea what my
computer is in here really. Her doctorate degree is here above my head and a
quilt I may never start is folded up on the table to my left; picture of my
grandmother on my right-- along with the iron. It’s been out since I put the Boy
Scout patches on. I ironed them in the wrong place and they had to be removed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So how is writing going for you all? It’s finally come to my
late-blooming-attention that writing is something that always happens on the
side. And won’t happen without
intention. I am maybe one of the only people I know who loved my Hamline
critical thesis. I worked on it from the day I began as a student up until I
graduated <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_217248085" tabindex="0">three years later</span>. I took it from 40 pages to 20 pages. I guess I’m a
research paper nut. This all makes sense to me now that I’m in my second
semester teaching college freshmen to write term papers. Yes it all makes
sense. I get some kind of evil enjoyment out of teaching other people to write
essays. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. But I’m glad I fit in somewhere,
thank you, God. (Yes I know last time I
wrote you Hamlinites, I was running an art gallery—ahh the life of the artist,
things change so fast). Now I’m three blocks up at the community college. Same
commute, same neighborhood—different art. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I get to write notes to the students thanks to Blackboard (a
new invention since I was 18). I never ever sent a message to a teacher outside
of class. hmmm. Now I get messages night and day. I’ve even gotten a call
during class so someone could tell me about their intestinal trouble. Student
teacher confidentiality has changed a bit since I was in school. One thing, I
have the students write me letters at the end of the semester about what
they’ve learned as part of their final. So cheers to me. I finally get some
letters.<br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WdHMA6FWsBPrWJKdYRI1Zb46HIJ_2g2f4rWIlNcSukIC9sBn6KAvTOLOVxZKwjNqEa1SLAYQtlIXoiWF6HSrr-cwgXc7vo9EvOuowYgFQV7Zi9kBR8ZcV6z8-oyQalxg1adX1hwyM9I/s1600/writing-933262_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WdHMA6FWsBPrWJKdYRI1Zb46HIJ_2g2f4rWIlNcSukIC9sBn6KAvTOLOVxZKwjNqEa1SLAYQtlIXoiWF6HSrr-cwgXc7vo9EvOuowYgFQV7Zi9kBR8ZcV6z8-oyQalxg1adX1hwyM9I/s1600/writing-933262_960_720.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />So my crazy need to write to people and have them write back
is now fulfilled by being the cooky absent-minded English professor. Yes, I like it. I also wear silly scarves and
thick classes—it makes for the look, too bad everyone still thinks I’m a
student. I don’t know what I do wrong there. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I’ve decided to take my beloved Hamline Thesis and use
it again! First I took it from 20 pages to 6 pages and submitted it to a
contest and won prize. Then from 6 pages to a 1 page abstract and I got
accepted to share at a conference--and
went to a conference and shared. That was fun. Now I’ve turned it into a book
proposal. One of those books you read on the plane. I think that although I
have fun trying to get to my novels I will get to these nonfiction books much
faster. Let’s hope. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpC2rekcFXn9C-N9Sczvi3_mKnrGWwlkYIKR8difZawQNHD8McJYuniKYZVIgfUzGAPTfqoQYkjH482cYl3lcCzp5OFeSN3CdSDTzh-O70O9amcne_-98W_8zHKxZvZk2rxDaI_Cfacg/s1600/grand-teton-2101142_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpC2rekcFXn9C-N9Sczvi3_mKnrGWwlkYIKR8difZawQNHD8McJYuniKYZVIgfUzGAPTfqoQYkjH482cYl3lcCzp5OFeSN3CdSDTzh-O70O9amcne_-98W_8zHKxZvZk2rxDaI_Cfacg/s320/grand-teton-2101142_960_720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides all that I just got a new summer job. I’m going to be writing for kids. I’m writing and creating art curriculum for summer camps! Who knows how that will go. But let the paint fly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being a writer is turning out to be really life changing. I’ve been put on a Title III committee to teach classes that help students get college ready. Our textbook in English 90 and 101 is <i>Just Mercy</i> by Bryan Stevenson. We watched the new documentary, <i>13th</i>, about the thirteenth amendment by Duvernay… I’ve never learned so much about the country that I’m living in and what people overcome to just live. Just live. All my students want to be better writers. I’ve got single moms, people from every continent on the globe and several islands, basketball scholarship winners, hopeful ex-cons, baby boomers, survivors, and kids from down the block. We all jump in to writing together. I share with them what I learned from you all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can see it changing lives. After each student leaves, I
take a small breath. There goes one more person who will now get a better job,
have a chance to get an education, someone who will make a difference. Next fall I’m teaching English 102. The textbook
is <i>Hamilton</i>. Profs are fondly calling the class: Find your own revolution. I
certainly have. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>POLLY ALICE</b>
author and illustrator, opened <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.newthingartstudio.com/&source=gmail&ust=1489615507666000&usg=AFQjCNF67lLhAKEsVJNJas96Dit5Wvhj9g" href="http://www.newthingartstudio.com/" target="_blank">New
Thing Art Studio</a> in 2015 back home in Kansas City-- where she paints,
illustrates children’s books, and teaches college writing. Her work is often
mixed media. “I create my art to be more like poetry—to have symbolic meanings
layered from dream and memories.” Polly won the 2014 Ernest Hartmann award from
the International Association for the Study of Dreams from Berkley CA for her
research on self awareness for writers and artists through dreamwork. <span lang="EN">She loves to grow basil and explore the
unexpected in her free time.</span></span></div>
Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1755502616289652010.post-33541644112853821452017-03-02T13:24:00.001-06:002017-03-02T13:25:23.323-06:00Faculty Voices with Ron Koertge: Re-Vision Part 2<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-6994c4f3-6d05-2f39-2465-4bea3a3f9bf0" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Before reading this post, be sure to check out <a href="https://thestorytellersinkpot.blogspot.com/2017/02/faculty-voices-with-ron-koertge-re.html"><span style="color: #990000;">part one</span></a> to see where this poem started.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">So I thought about the poem and in my own pagan way prayed about it and worked on (re-visioned) the last third or so.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoGZ9lh0zYsneJDjBeCibotzoRZF-4vMijaM0fwpKXmYKvswYZWlLL1O9e53E8ga1bl9lbqdiooxebVKdEfgDYUKXHn7qF-v-vaV0KEV41G_nxU3jgbzCxkP-I1r7Atc6MOhNYqsC2bU/s1600/rough-plane-landing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoGZ9lh0zYsneJDjBeCibotzoRZF-4vMijaM0fwpKXmYKvswYZWlLL1O9e53E8ga1bl9lbqdiooxebVKdEfgDYUKXHn7qF-v-vaV0KEV41G_nxU3jgbzCxkP-I1r7Atc6MOhNYqsC2bU/s1600/rough-plane-landing.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">The Plane Doesn’t Crash But the Landing is So Rough</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">There’s a Lot of Screaming</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Right next to the airport is a gentlemen’s</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">club where all the dancers wear Santa </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">hats. I have a stiff drink, slip 20</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">to the topsy-turvy down girl on the pole,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">then enter the freeway tentatively, like </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">a horse at the ocean.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Windows down, I hear John Coltrane</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">from the nearest Camaro and near</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">1</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7.2pt; vertical-align: super;">st</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> and Hill a congregation praying </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">from a rooftop. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m not quite sure what to do with</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">my other life, the one that ended</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">on the tarmac where the ambulances</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">congregated.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">It rides alongside me making mordant</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">jokes about the seatbelt.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Home at last, I park beside an electric </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">reindeer lying on its side and twitching.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Lighted windows. On the shadowy </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">porch the smokers are changelings,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">shape shifters.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">We go inside together, that other life</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">and I. My wife says, “Oh, there you </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">are. I was starting to worry.”</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Her other life looks at mine and bursts</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">into tears.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Ah ha. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Now the turn in the 4</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7.2pt; vertical-align: super;">th</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> stanza is a portent I can live with. As is the new character, “my other life.” </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Now there’s some accord between it, the fallen reindeer, and the shape shifting smokers. The tears in the last stanza seem more, as we say, earned.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfO0f6vDeK-6Z8tV4FyZIyo8RwMFblcO11w3YTSJeQTYj7gzaM_qht6HwvWSndfIiBkSrLRuBqy3AbzoUOcWb_vX0dI-pr9mdcZZii1CQQKX3pNUPteDtk8a_LPvUISijpQdoOxcv4s9k/s1600/wine-630334_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfO0f6vDeK-6Z8tV4FyZIyo8RwMFblcO11w3YTSJeQTYj7gzaM_qht6HwvWSndfIiBkSrLRuBqy3AbzoUOcWb_vX0dI-pr9mdcZZii1CQQKX3pNUPteDtk8a_LPvUISijpQdoOxcv4s9k/s320/wine-630334_960_720.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m probably another draft or two away from being completely happy with it. I’m not sure about </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">mordant</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">. And there’s a chance that whole little stanza can go. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">We’ll see. A little more prayer, maybe some chardonnay, a good night’s sleep and anything is possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 17.0775px;"><i style="line-height: 20.79px;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;"><b>*Ron Koertge</b> is a faculty member at <a href="http://www.hamline.edu/cla/mfac/" style="color: #95021e; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #990000;">Hamline's MFAC program</span></a>. He </span></span>writes poetry for everyone, fiction for young adults, and recently co-authored a young reader series. Y</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 17.0775px;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">ou can discover Ron's literary work by </span><a href="http://ronkoertge.com/" style="color: #95021e; line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">visiting his author's website</a><span style="line-height: 20.79px;"> or <a href="http://www.hamline.edu/HUContent.aspx?pageid=4294971207" style="color: #95021e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">visit his faculty page</a> to learn about him as a professor at Hamline University.</span></i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 17.0775px;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;"><i><span style="line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></span></i></span></span></span> Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15363046636113201437noreply@blogger.com0