Snow is Good For Writing

We're snowed in here in Auburn.  By that I mean there is a bit of snow on the ground and we're all hunkered down like it's D-Day.  I suppose the rest of the country (those areas that get "real" snow) must laugh at us when a bit of the white stuff tops the news as the lead-story.

On the plus side, it forces me to do two things:  focus on my current class; plant myself in front of the computer and write.  These are good things, though I have to admit that trying to memorize all of post/current Russia and its many republics is no picnic.

The Graduate School Shuffle

I sit here this frozen morning, coffee cup in hand and healthy oatmeal (my new found friend) within easy reach, thinking ahead to graduate school.  I have begun the process of contacting professors (begging) for reference letters.  I can't imagine how many of these requests any professor gets, but I imagine they get many.  I'm even reaching back to a community college professor, in the hopes of finding three suck... I mean kind-hearted folks willing to take the time out of their lives and help out a former student.  

I've decided to apply to only six graduate programs, not the suggested eight-to-ten you find in all the books and articles about applying to graduate school.  For each application, you can expect to send in between 60-100 dollars, just to be considered.  You don't get that money back if you are accepted or rejected; it's a readers' fee that the college gets to keep.  Most programs ask that you include an essay that covers the following:  which authors inspire you and why and just what, exactly, makes you think you can write a sentence, much less a story that would impress those deciding whether or not you'll get in to their program.  

The most important part of the graduate application:  Your prose.  In most cases, you will include twenty-five pages of prose, at a minimum.  Some programs want more; some a little less.  If you fancy yourself a poet, you submit an equal number of poems.  No one tells you what is likely to sway an application committee member to considering your application as suitable; you can't find examples of what got anyone else into graduate school--anywhere.  (I've decided (unless the rules prohibit it) to publish my winning entry.)  

Tweeting

Alright, I've finally given in to the idea that you can't just participate in one avenue of social media; that you must participate in all of it.  Therefore, I have begun to Tweet.  Even typing this is difficult for me.  I've mocked those who tweeted and now find myself ingesting humble, Tweet flavored pie.  In any event, I'm now tweeting.  Call CNN, or whoever.  twitter.com

Your Hands, Your Mouth

I just found the blog for Your Hands, Your Mouth and wanted to share it with the group:  http://www.bluejeanjosephine.com/news/your-hands-your-mouth-electricity-in-seattle

Zine Pre-Catalog

We had an extremely productive day at ZAPP, pre-cataloging a good number of the Zines that are cresting out over the mail tub and onto the counters.  Found a couple of really great examples of Zine work, including one that I'm going to request a subscription to.  The man had a very interesting perspective on life in general and used the "F" word a lot.  He also walked the entire length of the Appalachian trail--alone.  I'm impressed by people who have the guts to just strap a pack on, and then head out into the great unknown.  I can't imagine spending six months in the finest hotels, much less six months on foot, carrying many pounds of gear and hoping to avoid contact with animals that might view me as tasty.  He did it though; I'm impressed.

Last evening, I visited the home of Graham Isaac, who was hosting a poetry reading from his Zine: Your Hands, Your Mouth.  They can be reached at: yourhandsyourmouth@hotmail.com  They are still accepting submissions for their next issue, which will focus on the theme of Thanks.  The final performer last evening (and I just wish I could remember her name) was a Native-American woman who gave one of the most stirring readings I've ever had the privilege to listen to.  She was beyond amazing.  She told us she is not a poet (I found her words very poetic) and read from a book she is currently writing.  The theme:  Racial identity.  She regularly writes for Your Hands, Your Mouth.

The Collective Birth of a Zine

Yesterday afternoon I got a day off from filing Zines to learn how to make one.  The Zine attached to this post as a PDF is the result of a collective effort.  Those involved:  Sierra Nelson, David Lasky, Rachael Harper, Elizabeth Hunger and me.  http://bluedogwriter.com/zine0001.pdf 

We sat around a table of typewriters and created art, answered some of life's toughest questions and clipped and pasted 'till our fingers bled.  It was great fun and a great group of folks.  Hugo House offers classes year 'round, instructing folks about the finer points of Zine creation and all things related to writing and theatre.  Reasonable prices and great instructors.  Great combination at a historic venue:  Hugo House. http://www.hugohouse.org/

I'm Losing My Innocence & Making Zines

I'm so stoked!  I was just informed that the Hugo House is going to pay for me to take the Zine class they offer.  So, I'll actually get to make a Zine of my very own.  Look out Zine world:  Here I come!  Who knew that a day of filing would transcend into a class--a free class at that? 

I'm also working on getting up the next installment of my podcast (look for that by the beginning of next week). I've been working on the introduction and closing, hoping to improve the quality of the audio and to lose some of the "echo" I'm getting from my microphone set up.  I'm thinking that when I have a little "spare" cash, I need to invest in a better microphone than the one I currently use.  Or, perhaps buy a cheaper one to plug into the computer.  Not sure which of these is going to reduce the echo, or if my closet-sized office is contributing to this problem.  Either way, changes are coming.

This is a test of the phone to blog posting I've just set up.