Goddard Blog

February 2018 Community News and Events

Ruth Wallen. Exhibition flier courtesy of the artist. Solo Exhibition: Remember the Trees MFAIA-VT Faculty Advisor Ruth Wallen has a solo exhibition Remember the Trees: southern California’s changing ecology at Mesa College Art Gallery from March 12 to April 3, 2018. Over 100 million trees have died in California due to the intertwined impacts of urbanization, globalization and… Continue reading February 2018 Community News and Events

Toiling in the Labyrinth: On Reading Literature Critically

My purpose for reading literature critically rests on two sloping planes. On the first plane is pleasure—experiencing the epiphany of understanding, a resolution to my inquiring mind. In other words, the Aha! moment. It’s the immediate gratification of critical thinking, which may be a purpose in of itself. However, beneath that first pleasurable plane, for me, is the second, more self-reflective plane.

On Language, On Sophisticated Style

I am an unabashed Language Freak. Word Freak. Sentence Freak. Grammar and Punctuation Freak. I am deeply in love with what William Golding called “that massive instrument” the English language. For me putting words down on paper is like playing a finely tuned piano. No wrong notes, please! My instrument is too precious to misuse.

Embracing the Personal

“It all just feels so… personal.”

N is a new student of mine, one who has worked in the theater industry for years, but never written a play before.  He called me before our first week of class, and I could tell he was feeling intimidated by the process of playwriting.  We discussed some exercises he could do and some of his favorite plays and playwrights, and I think I assuaged the majority of his concerns.  His one lingering reservation:

“It’s just so personal.”

From Fear to Yearning to Write Fiction Now

“Fiction is the art form of human yearning.” – Robert Olen Butler
“We are living in the most fearmongering time in human history.” – Barry Glassner
“I think what we need to do is to remind people that the Earth is a very dangerous place these days. That ISIS is trying to do us harm. And that the president’s commitment is to keep the country safe.” – Sean Spicer

Last Call: Lighthouse Writers’ Conference & Retreat

Are you ready to jump-start your writing in 2018? Join us at the third annual Lighthouse Writers’ Conference & Retreat, Feb. 16-19, in Port Townsend, Washington. Registration closes on Monday, January 15th. Don’t be left out! Come ready to focus on your writing for a long weekend. Planned topics include: study of poet and impressionism; language… Continue reading Last Call: Lighthouse Writers’ Conference & Retreat

December Achievements

Faculty: MFAW-WA faculty member ​Bhanu Kapil gave a talk at the British Columbia Nurses’ Union annual human rights and equity conference, in Vancouver. She spoke on themes related to foreign life and care.  Copies of Bhanu’s Schizophrene were distributed as door prizes by the organizers. MFAW-VT faculty member Kenny Fries has six poems included in 12 Poetas:  Antologia de Neuvos… Continue reading December Achievements

What Is Writing For?

What is writing for?
 
I confess that, after having taught creative writing for more than 35 years and read tons of student writing I don’t remember and tons of good and great books by good and great authors I also don’t remember, I sometimes find myself wondering if we really need any more new writing.

More about Our Pushcart Nominees & an Invitation to Submit for Volume Six

The 2017 volume of Clockhouse came together in a moment of sadness and anxiety for many Americans, but that sadness and anxiety fueled art showcasing what can be offered during times of trial.   This volume celebrates the true meaning of being American: protest, humanity, and freedom—even if those ideals wax and wane throughout our… Continue reading More about Our Pushcart Nominees & an Invitation to Submit for Volume Six

December 2017 Community News and Events

Stefanie Batten Bland — 41 times. Image courtesy of the artist. 41 times International choreographic artist and current MFAIA-VT student, Stefanie Batten Bland reflects on themes of racial profiling, unity and healing. In 41 times, a full-company creation for TU Dance of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Batten Bland’s dance theatre work pays homage to the 1999 killing of… Continue reading December 2017 Community News and Events

Amtrak Writer’s Residency: Rail Tale

I’m writing to you today from the Amtrak quiet car, on a southbound train somewhere in New Jersey. Although the Amtrak Writer’s Residency Program is “currently evaluating the future of the program and do not have a timeline for when the next submission process will launch,” you can still pay out of pocket for a DIY Amtrak residency. That’s what I’ve been doing in 2017, now that my full-time teaching job is in Virginia and my fiancé is a theater director in New York.

Congratulations to Our Pushcart Prize Nominees

We’re pleased to announce that we’ve nominated the following writers’ works from CLOCKHOUSE Volume Five for the Pushcart Prize:   Creative Nonfiction Ira Sukrungruang, “Because, the Ferguson Verdict”   Fiction Diana Wagman, “Small World”   Poetry Sabine Bradley, “I did it to a man” Paisley Rekdal, “Atlas Moth,”         Clifford Thompson, “2014”   Please join… Continue reading Congratulations to Our Pushcart Prize Nominees

November Achievements

Faculty: MFAW-VT faculty member Kenny Fries‘s recently published In the Province of the Gods was chosen by Passport Magazine as a Best Gift Book for 2017. Catapult published “Meeting MM:  On Friendship and Disability in Japan,” an adapted excerpt from the book. Another excerpt was published at Accessible Japan.  The Japan Times, Japan’s leading English language newspaper,… Continue reading November Achievements