Course Evaluations

MFA Students,

Please see the MFA website (http://www.wcsu.edu/writing/mfa) under the Forms link for the course evaluation form. Please fill out a form for each of your courses and return to Laurel by mail, fax, or email. If you prefer, you may bring the completed forms with you to the residency.

bc

Schedule Changes

Folks, there have been slight adjustments to the schedule on Wednesday and Friday (I had in error introduced conflicts between student/faculty appointments and other events on Friday). Don Snyder's talk on Hollywood has been moved to Wednesday. Your student/faculty appointment times for Friday have not changed! Please see the updated schedule at the MFA web site--we'll have copies for you at the residency, of course.

Just in time for the residency...

This month's issue of The Writer (labeled January, but on stands now) includes my article, "Get The MOST Out Of Your MFA Program!" I cover workshops, publishing, the thesis, and inexpensive sources of protein. Check it out if you have $6.95 and a dream.

Hope it helps and stay warm in Danbury!

Late Addition to Resdincy Schedule

Folks, Don Snyder has very kindly offered to lead a talk/discussion about working in/for/around/toward Hollywood. I'm sure it will be informed by his efforts to sell his most recent screenplay and his past experience with the novel to screen business. Friday afternoon at 2:00.

Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award

You fiction writers who have a substantial manuscript might be interested in this. One of our students last year, Kirsten Genthner, went quite far in the process last year.

http://www.amazon.com/b?node=332264011

Student/Faculty Appointments at the Residency

Please see the schedule here:

http://www.wcsu.edu/writing/mfa//pdf/StudentFacultyApptsJan09Residency.pdf

If some of your mentors are not listed, it means that those mentors will not be at the residency. I will provide you with contact info so you can get in touch with them after the residency.

Tune In Tonight

I will the featured speaker on tonight's Rich Women Sisterhood Academy Event, a web show on line. My topic will be "Recession-Proof Your Resume During Turbulent Times" and I will be talking with host and RWS founder, Leisa Watkins, about the three most important considerations you should make when repositioning your resume in a tough economy: targeting your message, organizing your information, and choosing a format that best presents your "personal brand."

The teleseminar is free. To register and join in click here.

Help Obama Create History in a Haiku

If brevity is the soul of wit, perhaps it is also of history. This from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, and SMITH magazine:

The National Constitution Center and SMITH Magazine ask you to help President-elect Obama inspire America. In six words, give him guidance.Offer ideas for his inaugural address. Six memorable words for January 20th. In six words, a President can say a lot: "Malice toward none, charity for all,"(Abraham Lincoln, 1865) "Nothing to fear but fear itself," (Franklin Roosevelt, 1933) "Like a thousand points of light." (George H.W. Bush, 1989) So give your speech writing a try. Authors of our judges' six favorite submissions will win a six-word memoir book from SMITH Magazine, a year's membership to the National Constitution Center, and have their words forwarded to President-elect Obama's speech writers. One grand prize winner will also win a leather bound volume of the Constitution.

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/addressamerica/

The Visitor

Me again. Just a note to say that I saw the film, "The Visitor" and highly recommend it. Without going into description, it's simply one of the most striking and beautiful movies I can remember seeing. For any screenplay writers -- this is a good one to study. And, I think, many people associated with this blog will find something personal to relate to in this amazing film.
Best Wishes,
Don Lowe

Residency Schedule

Hello All,

The residency schedule is available at the MFA web site.

Please note the schedules for 12/31 and 1/1. Please note also that some workshops will have different meeting places on their second day.

Continental breakfast will be served at the hotel each day; lunch and dinner will be served at the hotel on 12/31 and 1/1, on campus the other days.

Some of you may choose to go home for New Year's celebrations on 12/31--if so, do not check out of the hotel unless you have arranged in advance with the hotel for split reservations. New students: the 4:00 new student orientation on Sunday will take place at Two Steps Restaurant in downtown Danbury, also the site of the welcome dinner Sunday at 5:30.

bc

Wine Lovers

Dearest Wine Lovers;
This message is to let friends know that life’s lucky charms finds me uniting a longtime passion for good wine with the written word: I am writing tasting notes for Noble Grape Wines, a family-owned enterprise who for more than fifty years has been devoted to discovering exceptional wine and providing a hand-picked, distinctive selection to wine lovers everywhere. Below is my personal link that I encourage you to use. (Lets the company know you’re a friend -- a good thing.)

http://www.noblegrapewines.com/store/pages.php?pageid=12&partner=DonLowe

If you’re tired of “buying blind” in wine shops, weary of depleting your wine budget on your best guess or spending top dollar for a special occasion wine on some salesman’s whim, then maybe I can help you. Below are the wines that I have tasted for Noble Grape Wines. In addition, my tasting notes for two brilliant wines -- Ella Valley Vineyards Merlot 2002; Ella Valley Vineyards Chardonnay 2004 -- will be posted soon and many more wines are forthcoming.
MAJOLINI Franciacorta Brut “Electo” 2003
Paolo Cali’, Frappato, Bianca di Luna 2006
Manene Cerasuolo Di Vittoria Classico 2005
Sassonero Merlot 2005
Castellerro Barolo 2003
Yndaris Syrah 2004

Feel free to email me. Tell me what you are looking for; or ask me to give you a personal reflection on each of the wines that I have tasted.

http://www.noblegrapewines.com/store/pages.php?pageid=12&partner=DonLowe

(If you wish to not be a recipient of this kind of email let me know. No hard feelings. )

“We are all mortal until the first kiss and the second glass of wine.” Eduardo Galeano

“Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.” Ben Franklin

“I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to food.” W. C. Fields

http://www.noblegrapewines.com/store/pages.php?pageid=12&partner=DonLowe
Best Wishes,
Don Lowe

Residency Hotel Reminder!

MFA Students,Please contact the Maron Hotel to make your reservation for the Winter Residency no later than December 15. Contact info at http://www.maronhotel.com/.The rate will be $69 per night, which includes continental breakfast. Those of you with special dietary needs may need to make personal arrangements for breakfast. My understanding is that the amount of the residency fee will be adjusted to reflect that you're no longer paying for breakfast on campus. (If you live in Danbury or nearby, no need to reserve a room.)

Miranda Winter Submissions

Faculty, Staff, Students,

Miranda Literary Magazine is gearing up for its winter issue. We are still looking for articles, interviews, essays, nonfiction, poetry, and fiction. We are using the website and all work will be posted on the website, but we will also be using a print on-demand service so people can order and possess the magazine as well. We will also be using the physical magazine to promote and draw interest to a more traditional audience.

Hope is well in your ideas and writing.
Ron
MLM

Send your submissions here.

Residency Workshop Requests

Hello All,

Please consult the workshop list at http://www.wcsu.edu/writing/mfa//Workshop%20selections.htm and return your preferences to me no later than Dec. 5. You should begin planning for the residency as though you were going to get all of your first choices.

bc