MFA News
Hi everyone. Please don’t be shy about sending us your news. We will screen all posts to insure that others are not getting in and using inappropriate language, but I encourage all of you to send along writing news of interest for your colleagues and, soon-to-be, friends. Regarding posts, they can be about any of the following:
- A response to one of the faculty chats about craft or the state of the art of writng (the first one will be arriving shortly from Kim Bridgford);
- A great book you’ve read;
- An announcement of a local reading, conference, or venue for publication;
- An article about craft or writing tips, or the general field of creative writing;
- A question you want to share with others about writing (e.g., “writer’s block”, where and how to send manuscripts)
- Above all, your writing success stories — e.g. a poem, article, story, or book that you’ve had accepted for publication or that has recently been or is about to be published — and I know we have several such people in the program.
Baron Wormser
Other news: Nalini Jones’ reading and post-reading live-chat went extremely well. I want to thank those that sent in questions, and encourage all to attend the next MFA Inspired Writer event: MFA faculty poet Baron Wormser, on Oct. 8 at 7 pm at the Fairfield library (sorry, no on-line chat). At Nalini’s reading, which was truly remarkable, I was pleased to meet about a dozen new MFA students. So I encourage those of you who are close enough to attend. For those beyond commuting distance, we hope to start having some of the campus reading on the webpage as an audio so that you can listen too.
I just returned for the Connecticut Book Awards ceremony at the Hartford Public Library, where I was a finalist in the fiction category. Unfortunately, my Soul Catcher didn’t win, but lost out in grand fashion to Philip Roth’s Exit Ghost. He had been a finalist 4 times previously before winning this time. Since this was only my second finalist attempt, I didn’t feel so bad, not did I feel bad losing to one of the four or five truly great living novelists. Oh, well. Next time.
So let’s hear from you all.
Regards,
Michael White
Michael White
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Susan
September 28, 2008 at 11:35 am
Hello all, it’s so comforting to hear everyone checking in with their doubts and hopes for their pieces and for the program. I just recieved a lovely and kind rejection note from Glimmer Train on Friday afternoon. I’m sure they meant it in the nicest and most complimentary way possible (or maybe not!). Anyway, this is my first blog experience and I am comforted by the creative honesty and energy people bring to it. I found that Annie Lamott is great in Bird by Bird for comparing who has more neurotic battles over talent and worthiness. I’m close behind her but she takes the prize sometimes in worrying. (Of course, she’s pretty damn talented and successful too so maybe my point is moot.) Anyway, I look forward to meeting more of you at the Anita Shreve reading and then when it all starts to roll in December.
David
September 27, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Mike,
I just posted about the anxiety about the submissions on the Facebook page. Come and join us over there!
Elizabeth
September 27, 2008 at 3:59 pm
The Nalini Jones’ reading was inspiring. A short story that I’m currently working on begins with a party scene, and it was ironic that she read part of a party scene and then explained how it came to be. I’ve read that same scene a few times now for ideas and inspiration.
Is everyone else feeling anxious and nervous about their 2 submissions? I have one short story that still needs a ton of work. Thank you for extending the deadline Michael! I feel that I have a good premise and idea, but it’s sometimes difficult to focus and get into the scenes as much as I need to. I love starting new stories but it’s hard for me to fully develop and finish them, which is another reason I’m excited about our MFA program. It will force me to pick something and stick with it.
For my second piece, I’m trying to start and develop something similar to a Reader’s Narrative that I had published in narrativemagazine.com for spring 2007. While at the reading, I was surprised and happy to learn that Pete Duval assigned my Reader’s Narrative to his students. One of my goals is to try and apply the same passion and focus that I used in that very short piece to fiction and short stories.
Dec 28th be hear before we know it!
Mike
September 26, 2008 at 4:09 pm
quick question for Michael and Aaron and then I will be quiet.
How do I change the password I was given to something that I can remember?
thx
September 25, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Hi all,
Wow, what an active group already! Glad to have this venue to “meet,” share, vent…sounds like there’ll be lots of opportunities to get to know each other before Enders Island.
Elizabeth — I wanted to respond to your question about how we’re doing putting our first pieces together. I just got confirmed into the program so learned this week that I need to get two pieces ready by Nov. 1. I haven’t started them yet! I signed up for the non-fiction genre but it’s been years since I’ve written creatively in this way. I’ve been a journalist and development writer by trade for the past 12 years so this is really going to be a challenge.
Is anyone else in nonfiction struggling with what pieces you’re comfortable sharing on this first round?!
Beth, I know what you mean about recognizing the difference between being a “journalist” and being a “writer.” I just took some refresher courses at Fairfield in business, technical, news, and creative writing, and creative was the most challenging by far. I think it’s because the other forms of writing are based on stuff that’s easier to get a hold of — research, interviews, facts, stats, etc. The “truth” of the message is fairly easy to find once you dig into the subject at hand. But creative writing — that’s tapping into material that’s much more personal. The “truth” is uncovered by being open and honest, keyboard (or pen) at hand with not much else to lean on.
Michael’s right — writers like to see their words in print…so I’ll stop rambling now and spare you all from more from me tonight!
But more, later, always,
Lisa
September 24, 2008 at 11:53 pm
I didn’t imagine I would be writing to all of you again so soon – so much I can relate to – including the mourning. I wonder if stirring up so many emotions brings us closer to the writing process? I notice that tension and conflict seem to be critical to writing well. Just something to think about.
By the way, not a day goes by that I don’t second guess myself and wonder why I am pursuing this degree. I think Pat said it well… just do it!
Beth
September 24, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Thank you all for your kind words….I get a little crazy sometimes, though I do come back to who I really am after the initial freaking out blows over.
Hmmm, maybe I am the crazy lady who lives behind the ledge. Oh wait, I already live behind the ledge….I don’t bake brownies for strange children though….
I go through periods of uncertainty and then the true knowingness of what the goal is takes over and the rest just comes through for me.
I am totally excited about this program, and pleased and honored to be part of it. And yes, I do fit….just not happy with the way the writing is going. It is also probably being a little spooked with having to “show don’t tell!”
See you all soon.
Tina
ps – for those in crisis and mourning, my heart goes out to you all. Coming from a similar place more than once, it does even out – the roller coaster of emotion and blackness – life does feel okay after awhile…and thankfully we are in a program to express whatever it is we need to share with the world in order to get it all back again…if this makes any sense. Hey, I did say I get a little crazy sometimes. But, the smile is real and heartfelt and totally genuine. We are here because this is where we should be and need to be. (See, I did come back to myself!)
September 24, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Beth,
I’ve been a journalist, too; most of my work, however, is in the humor section (that hidden area of the bookstore, per the very good essay in this past Sunday’s NYT Book Review).
Making the transition to a different form is daunting, but then again, isn’t all writing daunting in its way?
Tina, I love your closing thought: Great expectations and certainty that the work will turn out well. I guess all it takes is hard work; since I’ve worked hard on other things that didn’t matter nearly as much as writing does, I suppose this is the best news ever.
So many of us are facing challenges in order to do this program. I think this is going to be an amazing community to be involved in and am very much looking forward to December 28 and Ender’s Island!
Elizabeth
September 24, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Hey Susan,
If it makes you feel better, I have exactly 18 pages written of anything and am an accountant. Not everyone is erudite! My Dad died three weeks ago, leaving me in charge of my developmentally disabled brother, whom I need to move from FL to NJ to live with me – everyone said to me, “Just do it” on the MFA program too!
I am looking forward to the humbling learning experience and to this new journey as well.
Pat O’Connor
September 24, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Hi everyone,
Congratulations to all on being accepted – I am sincerely looking forward to working with all of you and I know that through our shared collaboration that we will be able to help each other grow as writers. So much to say, but so little time, but I’d like to leave a note for Tina. Don’t ever let anyone tell you you’re not good enough, or that you don’t belong in the program. We all feel at some point like we’re not good enough. But that’s part of the reason we’re here, so that we can improve upon ourselves and fine-tune our craft. Writing is art, and art is subjective. Everyone has their opinions; just remember that most of them stink
Do what you love, and the rest will come. Listen to your fellow authors and keep creating, and don’t forget to breathe 
All my best,
Amanda
September 24, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Hello Everyone,
I am excited about going back to school, especially as this MFA is something I have wanted to do for a long time. Unfortunately, I was not able to get to Fairfield to hear Nalini Jones but did join the chat after. (My first ever chat room event.)
I am a journalist by trade, writing mostly about food and food companies. Now that I am working on a memoir, I realize there is a vast difference between being a journalist and being a writer. I have been in a writing group for several months and have produced about 80 pages of “decent,” readable stuff. However, I want “better” and hope this MFA program will lead me there.
I am thrilled to know others are working in the creative non-fiction genre and look forward to meeting you. Right now I have a discount coupon and am headed to Borders to buy “Thinking About Memoir” by Abigail Thomas and will pick up a copy “Soul Catcher” while I’m there. (Congratulations Dr. White!)
All the best and see you soon. Beth
September 24, 2008 at 12:33 pm
HI to everyone! Well my journey has been a tough one…but I am here! My life partner had a brain aneurysm 58 days ago. Doing well…but stil recovering…so…I wondered if I should begin the MFA program and finally sought out some great people with words of wisdom. They said “YES!” Just do it! So I begin. I have been working on a novel for 5 years!!! I have over 75 pages written so Have that part ready to submit. However, I am not a published writer so I hope that I am not overwhelmed with the erudite peers I will be working with! For a living, I teach Honors English-8th graders!
So it is….I am so looking forward to a couple of years of learning and taking the journey of a lifetime with all of you.
From California……Susan
September 24, 2008 at 10:30 am
The evening with Nalini Jones was a wonderful way to begin our MFA journey. Her stories were strong as they explored her theme of home.
It was nice to meet some MFA fellow students. It helps to put faces to names and make the program more focused. As you noted Elizabeth, now it is time to begin to put the pieces together.
Look forward to the exchange of information/ideas/solutions on this blog
Donna
September 23, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Hi Elizabeth,
I was at the reading too. Nalini is awesome. I can’t wait for all of this to happen.
I finished a short story that I’d been working on and decided it was way too boring and would never….. you know the drill. At any rate, I ranted out a tirade to Michael White in an email and probably scared him half to death!
I am not panicked – I am crazy thinking all kinds of things – especially those that say I don’t belong in the program.
I am so excited though at the same time… haven’t gotten much done on my second submission yet, although I absolutely know it’s all about process. I layer things and haven’t yet started to do that. My piece looks naked and not too pretty at this point as well as far from finished.
Yet, I have great expectations for myself and my work, in spite of myself! So, life is good, and my stories will open up and end up working.
September 23, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Congratulations on being a finalist; being in such esteemed company is quite an accomplishment!
Nalini Jones’ reading was wonderful, as was meeting some of my fellow MFA student; I’m really looking forward to starting this journey.
In a brief conversation with another writer we touched upon the difficulty of “breaking into” the work, getting started, giving it form. Right now I’m mulling over how best to organize the pieces of memoir I’m working on, and which I plan to submit for the first residency; I have a bunch of “stuff” but am struggling a bit with how to put it all together. I’m not panicking about that (yet), but it makes me wonder:
How’s everyone else doing with their first pages?
Write on.
Elizabeth
September 22, 2008 at 1:49 pm