Have Words Will Travel

Wow, what a lineup.  Due to a traveling spouse and small children at home, I will probably only make it to Friday and Sunday’s readings, but I’m guessing they’ll all be fantastic.

Today’s a big day — I will be officially graduating and becoming a Master of Fine Arts.  I feel a little like when someone asks you on your birthday “How does it feel to be ___ ?”  It doesn’t feel any different.  I mean, I feel much differently than I did when I first started this program and needed so much guidance and teaching, but I don’t feel any different than I did yesterday, and I doubt there will be any difference tomorrow, either.  Well, maybe a little relief.  And sadness.

Our commencement speaker is Marvin Bell, which is terrific.  He’s been teaching during the afternoon sessions during the residency (as he has every summer residency since I’ve been around) and he’s so funny and very kind and smart.  Also, I’ve made a complete ass out of myself in front of him twice now, at previous residencies when forced to read the humiliatingly painful results of a writing exercise, but yesterday I vindicated myself by writing a decent poem from this year’s exercise and reading it.  A nice way to end the teacher/student relationship.  The first time it happened, though, he very kindly sent me an email that said, “I don’t think of them so much as bad poems as poems that are on their way to something.  Besides, you should see some of the crap I’ve written.”  I will admit, I printed that one out and it lives on the bulletin board above my desk.  More encouraging words were never spoken (or written), I don’t think.

Once again, I have gone way too long without posting. This blog is relatively new, but I’ve blogged elsewhere for several years and believe me when I say it’s unusual for me to post so infrequently. I do want to keep this blog writing-oriented, but I will admit I’ve been dealing with some parental illness issues and it has really taken all my energy for several months. However, that is finally getting sorted out, and school will be starting soon (meaning my children will be entertained by someone other than myself), and I am now on day 3 of my final MFA residency before my graduation on Saturday, so I’m very much getting back into the rhythm of my writing life.

So far, the residency has been fantastic. The highlight thus far is Kate Gale, the Managing Editor of Red Hen Press, Editor of Los Angeles Review, and accomplished poet in her own right, who has been guiding us graduating poets through the process of actually getting a book published instead of just single poems here and there. Of course, we will continue to do that as well, but it’s so great to have some guidance in terms of an actual plan. I’m nothing if not a girl who likes a plan. She’s been very inspiring to all of us, particularly in her argument that we should become players in the publishing world, not just people who want to be published but never give anything back to the community. It makes so much sense that I wonder at the fact that I haven’t been offered that advice before.

Last night was the first of two faculty readings and not only was Kate’s reading amazing (the woman can write, I’m just sayin’), but also the reading of another visiting faculty, Marc Acito, also known as “The Gay Dave Barry.” Holy crap, that man is funny. He had us in hysterics during his lecture the other day, and last night reading from his two books, How I Paid for College: A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship, and Musical Theater, and Attack of the Theater People did not disappoint. I bought both books based on his performance (and performance it was, including singing, which brought the audience to its feet) and am very much looking forward to reading them. The downside? My suitcase is going to be so heavy from all the books I’ve been buying, I’m not going to be able to lift it.

More to come.