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nonficchick
Sue Resnick

Jan 4, 1999, 10:01 AM

Post #126 of 2528 (7966 views)
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Hey, I am in the low residency program at Goucher College in
Baltimore. It is only for creative nonfiction, but it is fabulous. Two
weeks in the summer and the rest from home. great mentors: lauren
slater, Lee gutkind, Jane Bernstein, Julie Checkoway (pres of
Associated Writing Programs). I went from being a decent freelance
journalist to getting an agent and a publisher for my first book
through this program. I highly recommend it if you're a nonfiction
type. Also, Alexis: I am planning to go to the AWP conference, but I
haven't registered yet. Have you? I also haven't attended any in the
past. Sue (suekush@erols.com)

lexy
Alexis Adams

Jan 4, 1999, 11:00 PM

Post #127 of 2528 (7966 views)
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Wierd, wierd, wierd, Sue! Sorry to introduce myself this way, but I
just learned about Goucher's program today after stumbling on its
Website while doing a search on Susan Orlean, a writer I hold in high
esteem who appears to teach at the summer Mid-Atlantic Writers'
Conference. So, to find your posting today is a wonderful coincidence,
as I'm keenly curious about Goucher's program. While studying fiction
at the traditional low-res programs (Bennington, VC, etc...) is high
on my list of priorities, I've a strong interest in non-fiction, too.
I'd love to hear more about your experience at Goucher; would you mind
if I contacted you with more specific questions about the program, and
possibly your journalism experience, via e-mail? I am still undecided
about the AWP conference, only because I live in Montana and Albany is
obviously a long trek. But it looks like an exciting time, and my
husband and I are planning a trip east in the spring anyway, so why
not make it April? I think the earlier you register, the better. Given
the list of writers and events, I imagine the conference could sell
out relatively soon. I'm glad you made an appearance here! Please drop
me a line at lexy@wtp.net or leave a message here to let me know
whether you'd mind my peppering you with a few questions. Best, Lexy.

maryliz
Mary Fiorenza

Jan 19, 1999, 10:11 AM

Post #128 of 2528 (7966 views)
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So happy to find all of you here. I've been thinking about a
low-residency program for too many years. I've had some great writing
and editing jobs (currently do freelance editing, mostly) but as I get
older feel more and more the pull to write from the *heart.* What I'm
looking for in an MFA program is community and structure. It's too
easy to NOT do "my own" writing. Family commitments (i.e. kids) mean
low-residency is the only way to go. I have been in touch with a
Warren Wilson grad who loved the program. Have also talked with
Vermont folks who were generally positive. What I've been reading here
has reinforced what I've heard elsewhere. By the way, Warren Wilson
has a great web site with course descriptions. It has inspired some of
my reading lately--helped me discover Andrea Barrett's fiction, for
example. I hope those who just attended your first session will find
the time to let us know how it went. Thanks to all of you. I will
continue to tune in for info and inspiration (too many folks I know
think it's crazy to even think about spending the money on this . . .)
Mary

rebliv
Rebecca Livingston

Jan 22, 1999, 10:39 AM

Post #129 of 2528 (7966 views)
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Looking for Grads & Students of Low-Residency MFAs [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just got back from my first residency at Bennington and WOW was it
wonderful. Going there from a full-residency MFA program I was
pleasantly surprised with the program. The faculty were impressive
based both on their literary achievements as well as their commitment
to teaching. The majority of the lectures (both visiting faculty and
graduating students) were out-of-sight. The workshops were small and
very productive, I had more poems workshopped in those 11 days than I
had during an entire semester at the last MFA program. As far as
community is concerned, your chances of building one are much easier
at a low-residency program. Sure, you're only there for 11 days every
six months, but you eat and live with the rest of the students, so it
happens much faster. I've made quite a few friends who I plan on
sending my work to during the rest of the semester. Most of the folks
I met there are very commitmented to their writing. I have a friend at
Vermont college who feels the same way, so I am a big promoter of the
low-residency style programs. It's a fantastic way to get an MFA. Now
I have to get to work on my first packet due (February 8). Five to ten
pages of new poetry, two papers, two rewrites of old poems and a very
long reading list. Reb

smerwin
Shawn Merwin

Jan 22, 1999, 12:18 PM

Post #130 of 2528 (7966 views)
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I have to second Rebecca's sentiments. I just got back from my first
residency at Vermont College and I have only positive things to say
about the program thus far. I won't go into details, but you can e-
mail me if you want more information. Everything was great except for
this woman I met named Mary Jo . . . Shawn

ophelia3
Tamara Sellman

Jan 23, 1999, 5:34 PM

Post #131 of 2528 (7966 views)
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Anyone familiar with low residency programs in the PacNW? Tamara

maryliz
Mary Fiorenza

Jan 24, 1999, 3:35 PM

Post #132 of 2528 (7966 views)
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Thanks Reb and Shawn for your postings. I am hoping to be where you
are in a year: just back from my first residency. I haven't heard of
any low-residency programs in the PacNW. Except for Antioch West, they
seem to be clustered in the East (particularly Vermont). Mary

ophelia3
Tamara Sellman

Jan 24, 1999, 11:01 PM

Post #133 of 2528 (7966 views)
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Antioch West... California, right? Tamara

maryliz
Mary Fiorenza

Jan 27, 1999, 1:52 PM

Post #134 of 2528 (7966 views)
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Southern California. L.A., I think

lexy
Alexis Adams

Jan 28, 1999, 12:01 AM

Post #135 of 2528 (7966 views)
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It's so good to hear that you all enjoyed your first residency stints.
Thanks so much for keeping us posted! Tamara, Antioch's program is in
L.A. They have a Website which offers quite a bit of information,
including current faculty bios, admissions procedures and on.
Everything but tuition details, I believe. (Antioch charges about the
same as everyone else). Aside from Antioch West, I'm afraid most if
not all other low-res options are found back east -- a pity for those
of us on the Left Coast! But, actually, I'm rather excited about the
prospect of spending time in New England or anywhere along the
Atlantic Seaboard because it's all new territory for me. If I can find
it in my mess of bookmarks, I'll post that Antioch url here.

ophelia3
Tamara Sellman

Jan 28, 1999, 12:54 AM

Post #136 of 2528 (7966 views)
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Thanks Alexis. I've seen their ads in P&W too, I could get it from
there as well. What part of the Left Coast are you from, anyhoo? (I'm
returning to WA state--Bainbridge Island--after 12 years in Chicago.
Grew up mostly in Vancouver, USA) Tamara

lexy
Alexis Adams

Jan 28, 1999, 10:59 AM

Post #137 of 2528 (7966 views)
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Tamara, Since we're carrying on a tandem conversation of sorts, you've
probably already read this up in Choosing an MFA Program, but no
matter. I live in Montana, so not really *on* the Left Coast as I
indicated, but I once lived in Seattle and also on Lopez Island, one
of the San Juan islands, as you probably know. Bainbridge is a
wonderful place. What a change from Chicago! Are you glad to be going
home?

ophelia3
Tamara Sellman

Jan 28, 1999, 1:57 PM

Post #138 of 2528 (7966 views)
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So glad it hurts to be here waiting out the formalities. If I say
more, I risk offending Midwesterners. Tamara

lexy
Alexis Adams

Jan 28, 1999, 4:48 PM

Post #139 of 2528 (7966 views)
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Say no more, I understand. I myself did a five year stint in St. Paul,
Minn. Yes, it's a great city, but I'm a Westerner, and I guess it
really never leaves your blood. I always found myself scanning the
horizon for some sort of break in the landscape, be it mountains or
ocean...

ophelia3
Tamara Sellman

Jan 29, 1999, 5:41 PM

Post #140 of 2528 (7966 views)
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Amen. And I appreciate green trees in winter and temperatures that
rarely dip below freezing, and snow you must drive to to enjoy, and a
house that doesn't need an air conditioner in the summer. T

lexy
Alexis Adams

Jan 29, 1999, 6:44 PM

Post #141 of 2528 (7966 views)
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Well, now, I must admit, we do get our share of snow and cold temps
here in Montana, but at least we get blue skies rather than endless
seasons of grey.

ophelia3
Tamara Sellman

Jan 30, 1999, 1:02 PM

Post #142 of 2528 (7966 views)
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You know, growing up in gray makes me crave it, though I must also
admit that, like today, Illinois does have a great many wintry blue
skies. But when it is overcast here, I feel all cozy and at home.
Guess it's all about what one is used to. Alexis, did you say that UW
has a great MFA program? Are you aware of past and/or present
teachers, visiting writers, etc? T

lexy
Alexis Adams

Jan 31, 1999, 11:55 AM

Post #143 of 2528 (7966 views)
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T, Oops, I meant *Minnesota's* slate gray skies, which seem very
different to me than the enveloping, rather soft gray of the Pacific
Northwest, which I love. The drizzle, the fog settling over Puget
Sound, the wood smoke, the green canopy of forest -- it's all very
cozy and, in fact, that environment puts me in a writerly mood much
more than Montana's big, blue expanses do. I've always thought I'd be
much farther along in my writing career if I'd stayed on Lopez Island!
I'm not sure who teaches at UW. I have two friends there now who seem
to like it very much, and it has a good reputation, out West, at
least. I do know they require proficiency in a second language (or, at
least, they used to), which immediately disqualifies some applicants.
They have a Website and, while I don't know what its url is, I imagine
you'd find it easily by doing a search on Yahoo. I think UW's main
page might be http://www.uw.edu, but, again, I'm not sure. You might
also check WWU in Bellingham. As for low-res options, Antioch's
program looks really intriguing, and it only requires a residency of a
couple weeks each year, I believe. Keep me posted on your search!

lexy
Alexis Adams

Jan 31, 1999, 11:58 AM

Post #144 of 2528 (7966 views)
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Tamara, the url I posted is wrong. Follow this link
http://www.washington.edu/ to UW's main page. You should be able to
find the Creative Writing program easily from there.

ophelia3
Tamara Sellman

Feb 1, 1999, 2:06 PM

Post #145 of 2528 (7966 views)
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Thanks Alexis! Tamara

maryliz
Mary Fiorenza

Feb 4, 1999, 3:06 PM

Post #146 of 2528 (7966 views)
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I wonder if there are any grads and/or current students of
low-residency MFA programs who are also parents of school-age or
younger children and willing to share their experiences about
balancing (or not) family demands and your MFA work. I know that's a
really open-ended question, but I'm interested in any stories you have
to tell, advice, warnings, nightmares . . . You can see, I'm thinking
this could be a problem. Ok, let's be more positive: tell me the fears
that haven't come true, the one about the child who didn't come down
with chicken pox the night before you left for a residency, how your
kids really see you as a role model now that you're being true to your
own dreams, stuff like that. Mary

ophelia3
Tamara Sellman

Feb 5, 1999, 12:40 PM

Post #147 of 2528 (7966 views)
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Mary, I'm only halfway inside that predicament, being the full-time
parent of an infant and a preschooler. I am not currently writing in a
low-residency MFA program, though the option presents itself a lot.
But for me, it seems almost an impossibility, considering that I don't
have lots of childcare resources to get me through it. So I have
decided to just wait until both kids are in school, which is what? 4
or 5 years away? I know, what a bummer, but in the meantime, it is all
I can do to keep up a busy writing schedule. Who needs more pressure?
Tamara

pongo
Real men bake bread.

Feb 5, 1999, 7:14 PM

Post #148 of 2528 (7966 views)
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Now that I think about it, I don't recall anyone who was in the
Goddard program when I was there who had kids in grades K-8. There
were one or two who had kids while in the program, and a fair number
who had kids in high school (or college), but I can't think of any
whose kids were in grammar school. dmh

maryliz
Mary Fiorenza

Feb 5, 1999, 9:12 PM

Post #149 of 2528 (7966 views)
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I've been in touch with one woman who did the Warren Wilson program
when her two kids were in middle school and high school. She also held
down a full-time job. (I know, I think she's amazing, too.) Her
message was: It isn't easy, but it can be done. A supportive
spouse/partner and/or many friends would seem to be essential, in any
case. Mary

rebliv
Rebecca Livingston

Feb 6, 1999, 6:26 PM

Post #150 of 2528 (7966 views)
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I don't have children either, but there were quite a few people in the
program at Bennington with children (infants and on up the age chain).
I believe one woman had to leave the residency for a day or two
because her son became sick. The people who I talked to who had
children either had spouses or friends who watched the them during the
residency. I'm not sure how they handled the work while raising
children, but they seem to be able to manage. Reb

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