Topic: calling all new vermont mfa people!

[nina]

An update, from unseasonably mild weathered VT. I have about 15 minutes to lift my head up and take a breath, so I thought I'd let you know that things are going smashingly well—too many a-ha moments to count and just as many laughs. The big bustle now is gathering as much inside scoop about the faculty as possible to try to narrow our advisor choices down to 8 by Friday. Agh! Which is like having to choose between a dark chocolate covered pretzel and a dark chocolate raisin—I want both. And all. But, TRUST, trust, trust, right? Trust that who we get will be exactly who we need.

The food, I have to say is excellent. Except for a few things...it's  been healthy, wonderfully diverse and yummy. As a soup girl, I especially appreciate the veggie purees. Hits the spot.

More later.

Nina

[EAD]

Thanks for posting Nina - we'll all keep an eye out for news on your advisor!  (and yes, it will all work out perfectly)  Through the Toll Booth is also blogging from the residency so those of us who are not there are living it up vicariously.  I assume you've found 'the pit' by now - Ah, I wish I were there!  Enjoy!

[nina]

I got Sharon Darrow! I know she's supposed to be such a sweetheart of a lady and I can't wait to work with her. 

[EAD]

I ADORE Sharon, you are so lucky.  She is a really experienced advisor.  Also, she is pretty renowned for being extremely gifted at pulling out emotion in fiction.  Plus, you heard right, she is an absolute sweetheart.  YAY!  I told you it would work out perfectly!

[nina]

Just got back from my first residency and headed right to my public library to check out all these wonderful books that people suggested during workshops and lectures. I have 18 books sitting by my nightstand as I type...the librarian checking me out (or checking my books out, I should say because she wasn't really checking ME out) asked, "Is this for school?" Yes, ma'am, it is, indeed.

Speaking of school, I would love to know what some of the favorite faculty lectures of Blue Board MFA's were. On the way home I listened to Tobin Anderson's Miniature Course on Literary Theory and learned SO much, I started playing it again after giving myself half an hour to digest it. So now I want more!  I just downloaded: Tobin Anderson's  on Literary Theory, Theories of Plot and narrative, and Techniques in Manuscript Revision, Amanda Jenkins one on the Dragon and Martine Leavitt's on the success of Harry Potter. Anyone else have any "must haves" they heard during their residencies that they'd like to recommend?

Thanks!

Nina

[EAD]

Wow - there are a lot of great lectures.  Anything by Tobin or Tim Wynne-Jones (I gather Tim was not there because he is in Europe but will be back and you will love him)  Martine is always inspiring.  Brent Hartinger did a great one on structure.  Some of the grad lectures are really, really good.  Also, on the VC boards, under Adventures in MFA - student essay library there is a whole section of student essays.  I would also highly recommend the critical theses, which you can get copies of - the bar is high for these so they are first rate.  You can even get these from the adult writing program, you just have to request permission.  The resources are really endless, you just have to figure out where your focus needs to be.  I'm so excited for you.  Have a great semester!

[kabarson]

Yay for Sharon Darrow, Nina. I'm sure you'll have a great semester. She is great. Speaking of lectures, Sharon gave a scene-writing lecture a few semesters ago that was really helpful. Julie Larios gave a great one on setting too. Tim's lecture about objective correlative is legendary as is Carolyn Coman's on flashbacks and another on story-boarding.

I second Lisa's suggestion to check out the essay library on the forum. There are some theses there too, so check there before ordering them. You get one for free per semester, but it's silly to pay for any if they are up on the forum. (Mine is there.)

Keep us posted on your semester.
Kelly

[nina]

Thanks for the suggestions, all! I went a bit crazy with ordering lectures and I must have been feelin' you all b/c I ordered  3 from Tim, 4 from Tobin (because he's dang intelligent, and I want to learn more about theory), a few from Martine and Kathi Appelt. Now I'll add yours to the list. It's great that most of them are mp3 and we can just download them automatically!

Oh, and by the way, we get 2 free thesis orders now per semester...yipee!

One critical essay under my belt and brainstorming the next!

[EAD]

As a bonus - Kathi has the most charming voice I have ever heard - I can't describe it but you will see what I mean!

[sarah_create]

The lectures Kelly and EAD mention are all great.
I love Martine's on Theme.
Tim's lectures are also fun to listen to, as well as useful.
Fletcher's on emotions (an older lecture) is good.
So is Uma's on Emotional Refraction (I need to pick that one up--but I heard it in person and it was great!)

[nina]

Tim's lecture about objective correlative is legendary
Keep us posted on your semester.
Kelly

Kelly, I can't seem to recognize this one from the titles Tim has listed. Do you remember what it was called? I would love something on objective correlative!

I keep checking back here to see if anyone else is going to post about getting in this upcoming semester, but so far, it's been quiet.

I'm ready to 'pay it forward' and give any advice I can, just like you all did to me. 

 
Nina

[EspressoChick]

The Vermont MFA sounds wonderful. I'll admit I read this thread because I wanted to learn more about the program, I don't know if I'd be able to do an MFA (money, time, etc).

Is it okay to ask about the lectures some students have mentioned that are for sale to students? Are they available for sale to non students, maybe at a higher price? I'm sorry to hijack the thread with my question, the MFA program sounds terrific! Thank you for your time.

[kabarson]

Sorry, EspressoChick, the lectures are only available to students and alumni.

[EspressoChick]

Hi kabarson

They sound terrific. Thank you for letting me know, I appreciate your time.

Abby

[EAD]

Hi Espresso Chick - don't ever worry about hijacking this thread!  I and other VCFA students and grads check this thread periodically to connect with people who are interested in the program or have questions about it.  Like all programs, there is plenty of factual material you can request from the school, but I think it is also helpful to informally chat with people in the program to get an idea of what they are like and ask all those vital questions like what's the food like etc.  Hang out with us!  You never know, you may someday decide to get an MFA and then at least you'll know us already.  Sorry about the lectures, they really are a great resource since you can access every lecture that has ever been given and every thesis that's been written - I graduated in 08 and am still ordering!

[AbigailW]

Hi VCFA'ers! I recently was admitted for the MFA program starting Winter 2013. This is a great thread and I'm looking forward to connecting! Any other blueboarders headed there this winter?

Abigail

[EAD]

Hi Abigail - Congratulations and welcome!  (Sorry it took so long to see this post)  I am so excited for you, what an adventure you are about to begin.  Please post any questions you have, or pm me.  After the first residency you will also be able to log on to our private VCFA boards and we'll talk there too.  Again, congratulations!  Can't wait to hear who you get as an advisor.