2007 October « Reality Writes

Lindsey and I met up last Friday to have dinner and drinks at Creation to try to sort this whole poetry group thing out. As my earlier posts have suggested, I was feeling a bit doubtful about our ability to get this thing off the ground anytime soon. My schedule has been insane and so has hers, plus I was starting to feel weary about putting myself out there. Not only would I not have the time to dedicate to this to make it the next best thing in Charlotte, but taking on the role of a teacher was still something I wasn’t sure that I was ready to do. I’m not afraid of being a teacher – I think it’s something I could eventually do well one day, with a little training and more experience. But this would not be a classroom-like experience – it would be more like going on a blind date with 25 strangers and asking them to read their diary to you. Plus, I was afraid of starting this thing and then having a bunch of people latch onto me through it, and hence lose all control of my freedom, solitude and privacy (what little of it I have left in this city.) And most of all, one of the main reasons I was interested in something like this to start with was that I needed feedback on my work. If I’m leading a group, no one’s going to give me the honest criticism I need to be a better writer.

I was in the middle of my second glass of wine, working up my nerve to tell Lindsey all of this, when she started her own list of concerns. Turns out, she was having the same doubts I was. Then we (she) came up with something brilliant: let’s drop the public factor. Why not just get a group together of people we know – writers we know – and see if they want to meet up once a month to share work, have critique, and partake in writing prompts together? Yeah, why not? Yes, that’s what we decided to do, and I immediately felt the weight come off my shoulders. Then we had a laugh about how simple/stupid it was and how our perfectionistic tendencies got the better of us.

It will be kind of like a book club, except instead of reading a book, we’re all working toward writing a book. We still want to keep it poetry mostly, but we might stretch it a bit for a fiction friend or two.

And if it doesn’t happen before Christmas, then oh well. January’s still a good month to start new things.

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hello… October 25, 2007

Filed under: Uncategorized — realitywrites @ 2:04 pm

hmm…someone with a Chattanooga ISP seems interested in this blog. Do I know you?

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The Great MFA Debate October 22, 2007

Filed under: MFA Prep, Writing Resources — realitywrites @ 4:09 pm
Tags: diversity, graduate schools, Joshua Henkin, MFA Creative Writing, Poets & Writers, Rochelle Spencer, Sarah Lawrence College, Teaching Assistantships, University of Montana

I recovered from several hours of driving all over creation to find (and not find) pieces for my Halloween costume yesterday by curling up on the couch with the latest issue of Poets & Writers.

For those who are in the same boat as me, applying to MFA Creative Writing programs, this issue of the magazine has a lot to offer. There’s a special section, “The Great MFA Debate,” with a few spotlights on newer and distinctive programs, plus three great articles:

“In Defense of MFA Programs” by Joshua Henkin (who teaches at Sarah Lawrence)
“Growing Diversity in Graduate School” by Rochelle Spencer (a hot topic I love)
“Confessions of a Teaching Assistant” by Kelly Ferguson (a student in the University of Montana program, and also a former North Carolina resident – although a stranger to me!)

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How to read and not read poetry books October 19, 2007

Filed under: Poetry, Writing Resources, Writing and Life — realitywrites @ 4:56 pm
Tags: , Paisley Rekdal, Poetry, poetry books, reading, Steven Burt, The Poetry Foundation

I found this blog post by Steven Burt over at the Poetry Foundation to be quite after my own heart, and therefore a bit of reassurance as to my footing in the poetry world.

I have long said that I am probably the slowest reader I know, and also quite a slow reader for being a writer as well. Just yesterday I revealed that I’ve still got my nose stuck in two books I bought in September (and by the way, I’m still very much enjoying them…just at a slower pace than most.) And so I couldn’t agree more with what Steven (and jointly Paisley Rekdal, in her article that sparked the conversation) discusses about “skipping around” in a poetry book. The way I see it, read the poems that call to you. When you’re in a different mood (i.e. more nerdy, academic), read the poems that don’t call to you. This isn’t to say to always read poetry like yours or always read the same things, but it is really hard to get through a book – any book – if you don’t treat yourself by skipping a few lines, a few paragraphs or a few pages to find the yummy bits you like.

For people who don’t read poetry often, I think this is also comforting advice. You don’t hav to “get” every poem you read in a book. Nor do you have to read every poem in a book to “get” what the poet and the poems in the collection are about!

So, it’s Friday. You have two days open to you to run errands, stay up late, lounge around all afternoon. Why not pick up a poetry book from the library on your way home? No one’s saying you have to finish it by Monday.

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Where I am today October 18, 2007

Filed under: MFA Prep, Writing, Writing and Life — realitywrites @ 5:53 pm
Tags: Applications, Bob Hicok, Domesticity, Food, MFA Creative Writing, Paul Guest, Poetry, Tim Gunn

I survived my “busiest work week” of the year at my day job, so most of my worries are behind me (or at least better-cloaked.)

In between it all, here’s where I am. Not bad for mid-October:

Poetry:

I’ve found more time to write and turned 2 previous drafts into more final drafts, plus started a couple new poems.
Still reading Hicok & Guest.
I heard back from a literary journal that is still considering 2 of my poems for publication; should hear back from them in a month or two, they said.

MFA applications:

Filled out half of the recommendation forms/application forms for schools. Still about 5 more to go…
Secured J. Rice for letters of recommendations, bless him.
Filled out transcript-request forms & mailed them to Queens (and crossing fingers that the Registrar’s office does all the paperwork on time for once. We’ve had a mutual blacklist for years.)

Poetry Group:

I talked to one of the owners of Century the other day about our project plans. He said they’re still interested, and also gave me more history of what they’re all about: a start-up place for cultural groups. He told me about a previous slam group that met there and then grew out of the space (they’re now at Wine-Up.) I felt very encouraged by his enthusiasm.
I’m meeting with Lindsey this weekend to finalize more details. We’re still not set on a name yet, which I think is really putting us behind (I can’t start a MySpace page until we have a name/email address for our group.) But I know she’s been working hard and has a back-up venue for us in the same vicinity as Century, too. Plus, she’s better about getting the word out to other poets than I am.
Moment of doubt: I’m wondering if we’re going to get this off the ground before Christmas, considering how busy we both are right now.

General:

I finally got a good hard cleaning of my apartment out of the way, so I can sit my laptop down in just about every room without having to move a cat/ball of cat hair, pile of magazines, and 2 coffee mugs. Happy house = happy writing life.
Halloween Party on Oct. 27. BOO-YAH.
Shopping sprees are amazing for the mind, body and soul. Thanks for the inspiration, Tim Gunn. Thanks for the paychecks, Corporate America.
Food – I’ve cut myself back down to eating meat only once a day, mostly. I’m also eating out less, so I can control all my meals and how many vegetables, whole grains, etc. goes into everything. These are basic things that I’ve upheld for years, but fell away from for a while. It feels good to be back “on track.”
I’ve had a technical fairy come through my life and make some much needed upgrades. More on this later, when I’m actually writing from my home computer.

Sound board – how’s everyone else out there?

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