We often complain about how hard it is to find time to write, and would it be lovely to have the time and physical space to be selfish and involved with only our characters?!

Well, in the world of writing, there are actually a lot of opportunities to take advantage of Residency Programs at locations around the country (around the world, really.) So how do you take advantage? Like everything else, it takes research, commitment and follow through. Here’s how one StoryStudio student found her way:
*******
By Lauren Whalen

It all started with a link.

My aunt, who lives in New Hampshire and knows that I am interested in (read: obsessed with) writing, emailed me a link to the MacDowell Colony, located not far from her home.  I had vaguely heard of “writers’ residencies” but hadn’t really thought much about the concept.  For one thing, I have a full-time day job to support my writing habit.  For another, I’ve only been writing fiction for about two and a half years, my blog is barely six months old, and I haven’t been published yet.  At least not on paper.

Still, I was intrigued by the idea of an artists’ colony.  I mean, the concept is very cool: a fairly out-of-the-way haven for writers, composers, dancers and visual artists to focus on creating new work.  These colonies are located throughout the country and vary in time-span and price.  Some even pay you.

Okay, I was hooked.  And that’s what vacation time’s for, right?

I did my research (how did we survive before Google?) and looked at what I could reasonably afford in terms of both time and money.  I probably couldn’t be away for more than two weeks, and I would need some sort of financial aid or stipend.  Also, I write YA fiction, and there was at least one colony I found who wasn’t as accepting of that.  Eventually, I narrowed it down to three--MacDowell (as a reach), Ragdale (located conveniently in Lake Forest), and Kimmel Harding Nelson in Nebraska (an author whose work I really liked had been a resident there).

Applying to be a writer-in-residence is a lot like applying for college.  Most places want either references or letters of recommendation from people who know you as a writer--not only to get a better idea of your work, but to ensure that you will actually WRITE during your time at the colony.  This is important, because most colonies trust you to structure your time while you are a resident.  Also, you often have to enclose a personal statement and writing resume.

Then there’s the writing sample.  Usually 20-30 pages for you to show your stuff as a writer.
By far the most daunting part of the application.

This is where StoryStudio came in.

Last January, I wrote a short story as part of Baird Harper’s Fiction I class.  The piece was workshopped and received such positive and helpful feedback, that I decided to extend it into a novel.  In the summer of 2009, I took Fiction II with Lee Strickland, and workshopped a new chapter of this same novel.  Thanks to the encouragement and critique, I was able to polish this piece and enclose it as my writing sample when I submitted my applications in September.

Last week, I received an offer for a two-week paid residency at Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts!  After I stopped screaming, I immediately notified Jill and Molly at StoryStudio.  Not only had Jill provided a reference and recommendation for me, but the Fiction I and II courses prompted me to create, polish, and feel confident in the story that got me the residency.

Thanks, StoryStudio!

Huge congrats to SSC student Anne Laughlin on the launch of her second novel Veritas, which comes out today from Bold Strokes Books. Anne workshopped parts of this manuscript in the Advanced Fiction Workshop a few years ago, so we’ll happily take some of the credit for her success!

Kudos, Anne!

If you were lucky enough to get a seat in Chad Gervich’s class about writing and pitching TV shows, then you know what a great and chatty guy he is. In fact, we had him all set to come to StoryStudio from LA to teach another class this December.

Then he cancelled, citing a crazy work schedule.

Well, we have to admit, he’s got a great reason!! Chad is working on the new ”The Wanda Sykes Show,” FOX’s new late-night talk show, which premieres Saturday night at 11 pm.  Chad writes, “I’m actually a huge Wanda fan, so I’m very excited to be working on it.  It’s kind of a hybrid between a traditional talk show, but it also uses a panel-- like ‘Chelsea Lately’-- and clips, like “‘The Daily Show.’”

Who isn’t a Wanda Sykes fan???!!!! She stole my heart a couple years ago when she started popping up on TV to do guest spots on sitcoms and the Jay Leno show. Of course, she’s been a regular on the TV show, “The New Old Christine.”

So I’ll be home watching on Saturday night and while I know I’ll be laughing with Wanda, I’ll be riveted to the screen watching for Chad’s name. KUDOS!!!

We’re very excited for and proud of our friend Johanna Stein, whose piece How (Not) to Calm a Child on a Plane is featured on the New York Times Magazine’s Motherlode blog today. Johanna cracked us all up at the Spring Writing Retreat last year with an essay about the sick and twisted side of motherhood, and then sat down to pen this one… looks like she’s found her niche!

Way to go, Jo!!

This time we are sending out congratulations to Elizabeth Radford, a longtime StoryStudio student. Liz was just accepted into Northwestern University’s MFA program and will begin the program next month. This brings our total to four students who have been accepted into Northwestern’s program.

Liz has been around the studio for a couple years now. She is always one of the first morning people to arrive at the monthly Write-a-Thons and I always love hearing her perspectives in our Reading as a Writer class. The piece she submitted for the program application was one she started in our Short Story class (coming back in January) and worked on in our Coaching program. Just this pass summer, she worked with instructor Sarah Terez Rosenblum in the MFA Boot Camp class. Guess it worked!

Kudos to Liz! 

Previous Page   Next Page