Graduates (Left-to-Right): Carol Frischmann, me, Frances Wood

The letters M.F.A. can now be added after my name – long time coming and very fantastic! Does that mean I’m a better writer? God I hope so.

But whether or not I am, doesn’t affect my take away from the entire MFA experience. From its low-residency component to its high-caliber instructors – not to mention the fabulous fellow-students/writers I’ve had a chance to toil beside – it’s been  a ride well worth taking. It’s one I already miss and it’s only been two days!

With Keynote Speaker Elizabeth George

As far as graduations go, this one soared (of course there’s no prejudice here at all). New York Times best-selling author, Elizabeth George was the keynote and she was fantastic! Inspiring and encouraging while also spurring us on by reminding us of the discipline it takes to see our writing through. Indeed, she charged us with the responsibility to do so – and since she lives that talk, it makes it more inspiring to try and live up to that charge. I am so grateful for her generous spirit not only for this keynote, but for all she has done for the newly, fully-accredited, MFA program with NILA.

As the day approached, the weather called for rain. I fretted over that fact since much of the after-festivities were planned for outdoors (“festivities” included mingling with friends and taking photographs!). Of course, I also worried that rain could affect the mood/tone of the day. Mother Nature changed her mind…

Wow - husband and son surround me - what a fantastic feeling!

The brightest moment of the entire affair happened when my oldest son made a surprise appearance (younger son tried to come, too, but couldn’t get off work). There I was, already excited and thrilled about, well, everything. Turns out, that was only the half of it. Nothing can top such an outpouring of love. Nothing.

So the sun decided to shine, after all.

Beach near Coupeville on Whidbey Island

This week at my final residency, I’ve been surrounded by inspiration every time I’ve turned around. It’s been with fellow students (amazing writers all!!!), instructors (today I had to say a grateful goodbye to poet/publisher/editor Kate Gale – what a godsend she is!), and even on a mussel-strewn beach littered with driftwood.

For today, that’s all I have to share – a hint of inspiration from a sea worn log. It just doesn’t get any better.

I’m thrilled to share a Q&A with Kaye Linden, Bacopa Literary Review‘s Editor-in-Chief. Kaye, with her recently completed MFA in fiction from NILA, is currently working on a thesis collection of fifty mind-bending Australian tales, set in the magical urban sanctuary of “Ma’s Place.” Her short stories and flash fictions have appeared numerous times in The Raven Chronicles, Expressions Magazine, Breves no tan breves, Whispers from the Unseen: Journal and Forum for Writing in the Arts, Soundings Review, Bacopa Literary Review and The Camel Saloon.

Adding to her already full schedule, Kaye has taken on the position of  Editor-in-Chief for the Writers’ Alliance of Gainesville‘s publication: Bacopa Literary Review, a print journal of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Let’s see what she has to say!

Q:  Can you introduce yourself and briefly tell us a bit about yourself?

I have completed the MFA in creative writing at NILA but I am still working on the thesis – a collection of mythological short stories set in the Australian suburbs.  Currently, I have the honor of working as Editor-in-chief of the Bacopa Literary Review.  My home is Gainesville, Florida, where there exists a large support network for writers of all genres.

Q.  When was the Writers Alliance of Gainesville (WAG) formed and what is its primary focus?  How long have you been a member?

WAG was formed some years ago by a group of dedicated writers – among them professors and teachers.  These people worked hard to offer writers support through such means as newsletters, monthly lectures and talks, submission leads, genre critique pods, as well as speaking and volunteer opportunities.  (We are currently creating a national model for working with homeless veterans who have created some inspirational pieces of writing.)    I joined WAG two years ago, shortly after I moved here from South Florida.

Q.  When did WAG launch its Bacopa Literary Review – and what was the inspiration behind this writers’ organization launching its own review?

We launched it one year ago.  The writers’ organization felt that they could help fund a journal that offered writers everywhere an opportunity for general submissions and for contest money in a lovely print journal.  This is not just a local journal.  We are a solidly founded project that aims to be around for a long time, with both a print and an online presence. The goal is to provide all writers equal opportunity for publication, without bias and without judgment.  The writing speaks for itself.

Q.  As its new Editor-in-Chief, what is your short – and long – term vision for the journal?

My short- term vision is to build on the fantastic foundation that the writers spearheaded last year. I am still learning the ropes as I just came into the position this year.  We wish to raise the standard of the journal to a high professional level that will include writers and readers from all over the world.  Right now, we are receiving numerous submissions from overseas and I am pleased to see that.  I wish to expand the scope of the journal to eventually include Young Adult and perhaps some experimental writing, but that would be down the line. We have our desks full for right now.  The Bacopa board works as a team and such choices would have to be a team decision. I can only suggest and offer chocolate…

Q.  Are you actively seeking new writers?

Absolutely.  They stand an excellent chance of publication with Bacopa.

We are all writers, some beginning, some famous.  We really don’t pay attention to whether someone is well published or not. As I said, the writing speaks for itself.

Q. What words of advice can you give folks who’d like to submit?

Follow the guidelines, read your work out loud before submitting (to catch little errors) and just submit.  You have an excellent chance for publication in our Review.

Q.   Any other comments?

Yes.  I see a lot of simple errors in otherwise well-written work. These errors can make the difference between publication or not.  We do not edit.  If you read aloud, you will catch errors that otherwise might go unnoticed in a silent read.   Please submit.   We especially need short fiction and non-fiction for the current general submission period.

Visit us at : http://www.writersalliance.org/bacopa.html

Thanks so much, Kaye. Good luck to Bacopa and you as your journeys continue!!!

So many things have been happening! So much that it’s been tough finding a minute to post. Normally, each of these things would have earned its own post; instead, I’m lumping ‘em all together here.

Probably the coolest thing for my writing career is my thesis for my MFA was completed – and it was signed off by both my adviser and award-winning author, Kathleen Alcalá, and 2nd reader, NY Times best-selling author, Joshilyn Jackson. My official graduation is this coming August. Guess it’s time to breathe now…

Then, exciting news about the successful fund-raising event I hosted for the Whidbey Island Writers’ Conference (WIWC). The high tea atmosphere was the perfect setting for the Silpada Jewelry show. Our Silpada representative,

Whidbey Island's Deception Pass

Melinda Messer, donated 100% of the event’s proceeds to WIWC – which equated to $1500! Wow! Special people like Melinda are rare treasures, indeed. She rocks it! Melinda, if you’re reading this, know how grateful I am – as well as everyone associated with WIWC.

More great news is my brother, writer Flip Kobler, came to spend time with me here in the Pacific Northwest. We had an opportunity to talk writing and attend the Chat House Mini-Conference, hosted by WIWC. Boy, I’d missed him! If you get a chance to attend any of the writing events hosted by WIWC, be sure to go; they’re amazing. And if you have the unique opportunity to either see one of Flip’s plays – or mount one yourself – don’t miss that chance!

The last piece to this hodgepodge post is my short story, Flying for Food, has been published in the most recent issue of Hunger Mountain - the VCFA journal of the arts. Hunger Mountain is one of my favorite journals, so having a piece published there is a true highlight in my career.

Phew. See? Lots of stuff going on. And that’s the most inspirational thing of all!!!

Starting tomorrow night at midnight, Hunger Mountain, a publication of Vermont College of Fine arts, is offering the coolest fund-raising event – an Ebay auction for manuscript critiques!  Since their website states it’s okay to share the posting about the information, I’ve copied/-pasted it below. Before you get there, though, check out some of these incredible folks who are offering the critiques:

• Michelle Poploff, Executive Editor at Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books
• Melissa Febos, author of Whip Smart
• Jedediah Berry, editor at Small Beer Press, and author of The Manual of Detection
• Tanya Lee Stone, author of teen and young adult fiction, picture books, and children’s nonfiction
• Tanita Davis, writer of experimental, short fiction, who then shares it with the world

In a word?  WOW!!!  See you on the auction floor…

This author needs some help - in the form of a "Hunger Moutain" critique!

Okay, here’s the posting…

Please join us for the Hunger Mountain Spring  Fundraising Auction beginning at midnight EST on Thursday, April 29, featuring manuscript critiques with outstanding authors, editors, and agents.

This auction will feature a full length Middle Grade novel critique with Michelle Poploff, Executive Editor at Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books; Creative nonfiction critique with Melissa Febos, author of Whip Smart; fiction critique with Jedediah Berry, editor at Small Beer Press, and author of The Manual of Detection; full-length picture book critique with Tanya Lee Stone; and full length YA mansucript critique with Tanita Davis.

Also offered are opportunities to work with authors David Jauss, Philip Graham, Allegra Huston, Baron Wormser, Deborah Wiles, and Jacqueline Kelly, author of The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.

All purchases are charitable in support of Hunger Mountain’s non-profit mission to cultivate engagement with and conversation about the arts by publishing high-quality, innovative literary and visual art by both established and emerging artists, and by offering opportunities for interactivity and discourse.

All items will be available at: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/The-Hunger-Mountain-Store beginning at midnight EST on Thursday, April 29th. Bidding ends at midnight EST on Sunday, May 9th. This is a great way to study with a writer you admire and support non-profit literary publishing!

Thanks for your support and please pass this announcement along far and wide!

Sometimes it feels as if there’s so much going on for writers that it’s hard to find time to write!  Don’t let that happen.  Remember, at the end of the day, the most important thing a writer can do is put words on the page.

Fort Casey State Park, Whidbey Island

That said, I do want to mention a fabulous writers’ event coming up in June – the Saturday Chat House Mini Conference being hosted by the Whidbey Island Writers’ Conference.  Take a look at the flyer I’ve posted below – this is an absolute must do!  Check it out – and I hope to see you there.

Whidbey Island Writers’ Conference Saturday Chat House on June 12th

Poet Kelly Davio

In Which I Propose a Little Project for National Poetry Month

BizArt 5th Annual Conference!

The Business of Being an Artist for Written, Visual, Performing and Media Artists!

BizArt 2-Day Conference

Friday and Saturday March, 26 & 27

8am – 5pm

In Brier Hall, at Edmonds Community College, Edmonds, WA

BizArt is designed to help artists develop the business acumen they need to pursue their career dreams. Artists in all disciplines, musicians, dancers, designers, photographers, actors, sculptors, painters - from students to professional artists - have much to gain in this artist friendly, business based, learning environment.

Registration Cost *Please register by Friday, March 19th

$99 Pre-Registration participants

$59 Currently Enrolled College Students

$129 Registrations at the Door

Fee includes two full days of workshops and presentation, along with a breakfast and lunch each day.

BizArt’s Schedule for Friday and Saturday has been posted to the webpage but is subject to change.  For more information please go to BizArtinfo.com.

Keynote Speaker  Skye Burn

Executive Director – Flow Project

“Allowing the Wisdom of Art to Change the World”

The Flow Project brings the wisdom of art to leaders by providing art-based principles and practices they can apply in creating businesses, organizations, and communities.

The MFA program run through the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts has a sister. Her name is the Whidbey Island Writers’ Association and is renowned in the Pacific Northwest for hosting the Whidbey Writers’ Workshop, one of the best writers’ conferences in the country.

Sadly, with our current economy, the conference had to be canceled for 2010.

The good news is why it was canceled: the organization has wisely decided to raise monies up front, have them “in the bank,” before the conference is mounted again. So 2010 is going to be a year full of fund raising events and wonderful, educational, classes.

How can you be involved? Easy! Click here to learn a bit more about the fund raising and how YOU can support the arts in our beloved Pacific Northwest.

Also for 2010, there are a multitude of one-day workshops being offered under the heading of Whidbey Island Writers Conference Workshop Series – stop by and check them out! There is a wonderful variety of topics offered by talented, published authors as well as specialists – like Tom Masters on blogging – and a return of one of the favorite aspects of the traditional conference: the chat house series. Truly incredible offerings.

Additionally, Whidbey Island Writers’ Association (WIWA) also offers some creative and challenging courses, from poetry to memoirs – taught by a truly gifted group, and from authors to agents – like Andrea Hurst of Andrea Hurst & Associates. Definitely worth your time to investigate the possibilities.

Some of us hope for inspiration – some of us are out making it happen every single day.

Sunset on Whidbey Island

Rocker missing its occupant - Smoky Mountains

2010 has not been kind to the literary world – we’ve lost luminary JD Salinger, poet extraordinaire Lucille Clifton, and two of the most popular mystery writers to ever dance their pen across a page – Robert Parker and Dick Francis.

I’ve mourned as eulogies have riddled the TV and radio waves, printed pages, and cyberspace. Many of my friends have written about one, or more, of these writers in their blogs and I shared their grief, finding camaraderie with others suffering the same punch to the gut.

Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye changed the landscape of fiction forever. Holden Caulfield, narrator with a casual, irreverent, tone, takes his readers on an adolescent ride. Written in 1951, it remains a staple for most high school reading lists – one students almost inhale.

Lucille Clifton’s poetry – so accessible! – is to be savored. If you haven’t had an opportunity to enjoy her work, check out this video clip of her reading “won’t you celebrate with me.”

Dick Francis, with his jockey  background took us into the world of horses as never done before. I picked up my first Francis novel when my son was taking hunter/jump riding lessons. After that first one, I scoured the shelves for older publications and followed his publication history with enthusiasm.

But my reader’s heart is truly shaken at the passing of Robert Parker. Yes, most people know him as the creator of the Spenser novels (remember the TV series with Robert Urich?) – and my pure, lover-of-all-things- mystery heart relished these compact jewels. He created the quintessential “buddy” story – his best scenes, in my opinion, were the ones with the Boston PI Spenser and the street-smart, colorful Hawk (played by Avery Brooks in the TV series) – a favorite quote describing Hawk is, “He’s big, he’s black and he’s mean.” That leaves off smart.

As a writer, I strive to create dialogue as snappy and pace-flying as Parker. He is, I’m sorry, was, the master of flying dialogue.

But to sign off here without mentioning Parker’s other works is a disservice. Check out some of his meatier texts – like All Our Yesterdays. The man could write!

So it is with a sad heart at the passing of these great writers that I post today – but I am celebrating and rejoicing in their lives. In their art. In their words.