The residency schedule is up! You'll find the link on the MFA web page (http://www.wcsu.edu/writing/mfa) under the Residencies section.
Also, a reminder that the peer workshops are self-organized this residency. I haven't seen any chatter on this issue, so I can only assume that either you are organizing behind the scenes... or not. If you are a first-semester student and you are at a loss on how to proceed with this, let me know, and I'll see what I can do to help you find a group to workshop with.
22 comments:
Is there a seasoned student that can show me the ropes so to speak? This is my first semester/residency. I am both nervous and in the dark. Any information/advice you think would be helpful to a new student would be great!
Re: Seasoned student... I don't know how seasoned I am... lots is new to me, too! But I'd be glad to connect with you and tell you what I know and some of what you can expect -- What's your name and email? Perhaps we can chat offline.I'm at jane@janecleland.net.
Also, is anyone interested in connecting for the peer workshop? My focus is on playwriting, but I also write novels. Any screenwriters want to join in? You can post here or contact me offline at jane@janecleland.net.
Dear Jane,
Like, "amcannon" I feel a bit lost and have no idea what this peer stuff is all about. I'm brand new to this, but I am brave; I simply want to write a best selling thriller which will immediately move on to be a very fine movie.
Any input from you, or any other generous souls out there, will be very much appreciated.
Thanks, Andy
Hey Andy,
As a mystery author, I know a fair amount about thrillers... if you ever nail down a sure way to get the best seller/movie thing going, be sure to let me know!
Regardless, I'm part of a peer group of three... what we plan on doing is reading our work aloud and getting feedback from one another. Want to join us?
If you have any specific questions, you're welcome to contact me off-line at jane@janecleland.net.
Best, Jane
Hi Jane, amcannon, and Andy.
This is my first residency. If there's any room in your peer group, I'd like to be a part of it. If not, perhaps there is another group that I could join? I write fiction. My email address is mollydkenner@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Molly
Jane,
Yes, sure, I'd like very much to join your group. Do participants bring in hard copies of their work for distribution or is it simply read?
Thanks,
I'm at:
andrew-alexander@sbcglobal.net
Andy
Hi Jane,
Thank you. I am so excited about the program and I'm looking forward to my first residency. I really appreciate your warm welcome =)
Molly
As a grad of the program and now a mentor I'd be happy to chat fiction with anyone who wants to seek me out. Please - don't be shy with anyone at the Rez. Truly we're all a great group. And a word of advice here since we're all writers - you want to know the best way to make a new friend? Just ask them this one thing - "So, what are you working on now?" We all love to talk about our writing!
That's awesome Gwen, thanks for the feedback!
My best advice--don't be intimidated. By the time the week is over you'll be chillin' with students, old students like Gwen--um, I mean program grads, mentors, even the program coordinator. Just keep your ears open the WHOLE time. You never know what you're going to hear that makes your life easier or cracks the secret to the universe or who will be the one to say it. Just have a great time, keep an open mind, don't get defensive about ANYTHING, and take a ton of mental notes. Everything is very informal, so have a great time now because as soon as the week's over, the hard work begins--then, goodbye sleep. But writer's should be used to that.
That's okay, Frisky - I'll be bringing my walker. It'll just have a beer holder attached to it!
Just don't run over anyone's feet. I know how you Jersey drivers are.
I'm new to the program, but not to NJ drivers and I ask: is it necessary to have a laptop computer for the residency?
Thanks, Andy
Thanks for the advice. And I definitely am a bit intimidated.
Does anyone participate in, or know of, a poetry peer group?
PS- I'm a newcomer to the MFA as well, so I'd greatly appreciate any help!
Hi. I'm a newbie too and lost for now. I could use any kind of help to navigate the blog and other tools. Could also use help with the peer workshops. Nickie.
I guess I should say I'm interested in memoir and creative non-fiction. Is there a peer group for these genres? I've been reading the replies and look forward to meeting all of you at the workshop. In the meantime, if you know of or want to begin this peer group, let me know. Debra (Nickie) Thurston. Please call me Nickie.
MJ I am interested in a poetry peer group. Not sure how all this works!
My email is Carolyn31@gmail.com
If anyone wants to email me with specific new-folk questions, feel free. Nothing makes you feel not lost any more like guiding someone who is. Trust me, you'll feel lost until your syllabuses are done and you start working in September. And you don't NEED a laptop; there are computer labs you can use. Just don't leave your flash drive in the computer because the nice guy that works there will mail it back to you loaded with viruses.
Nickie Thurston would be interested. Looking forward to meeting you at the workshops.
Your peer group is anyone of the "undergraduates" who share your creative genre. Ie, poets, creative-non and fiction. You don't have to join; you're already in it by virture of your genre. And please - don't be shy. As far as my (alumni) cohort is concerned, we'd all be happy to help anyone. For poetry, seek out either Lisa Siedlarz or Erik Mortenson. For creative non-fiction, Kateri Kosek. For fiction, Gwen Jones, for essay or fiction - especially humor - David Holub. We're all mentors in the program and most of us also teach in the classroom. Also, if there's any screenwriters in the group, look for Aaliyah Miller or Bob Kalm, though I'm not sure if they're going to be at the residency. Please - DO NOT BE NERVOUS! You will seriously have fun and learn a lot. Everyone is there to help. Even Frisky!
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