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August 27, 2008
Auld Lang Syne
With much regret, in 2007, I withdrew from the Whidbey Writers Workshop MFA faculty. I had won a Newbery Honor which bought me some time to be a full-time writer. This decision was not easily made as I felt I learned more from the program than I gave. Honestly: I got to sit in on classes taught by Susan Zwinger, Lisa Dale Norton, Marvin Bell, David Wagoner, Carolyne Wright and Bruce Holland Rogers, among others. I was a hack sitting at the feet of laureates. Sigh.
Fortunately, the program's director, Wayne Ude, has a soft spot in his heart for me. He recently invited me back to the summer 2008 residency. It's tough duty spending a long weekend at Fort Casey on Whidbey Island, with deer and eagles for close neighbors, but someone has to do it.
The setting wasn't my only inspiration. I roomed with the adaptable Andrea Hurst, agent and dog-lover extraordinaire. I coffeed with pioneer grads, Nina Bayer, Lois Brandt and Ann Gonzalez, regaling in their recent successes. I lost count of how many publications the alums have accumulated; this year's graduating class alone has pubs in the dozens. It was inspiring to be with such good folks and such great writers.
The two presentations I gave paled in comparison to what I carried away. Some people scoff at this program because it is not associated with a university; it is "only" sponsored by a writing community. Posh, I say. This program changes lives. It certainly has changed mine.
I will close this post by encouraging you to check out the Whidbey Writers Workshop MFA program. This quote from the elfin and energetic poet Marvin Bell will clue you in to why I always come away refreshed and recharged: Marvin asked us (I was certain he was asking me especially): "Do you dare to write in a way unlike any way you've written before?"
I can't wait to find out the answer.
Posted by kirby at August 27, 2008 09:31 PM