S P A L D I N G U N I V E R S I T Y ’ S M F A A L U M N I M A G A Z I N E

SOARING 1

Soaring

Letter from the EditorAshleyRose Sullivan

Last winter, Corrine Jackson contacted me to inquire about whether I’d like to take on the Editor-In-Chief position at Soaring. I was honored and more than a little nervous but I said yes.

I’ve had a wonderful year working on Soaring. Through my work on this publication I’ve come to know many alumni who I’d never previously met and they have consistently impressed me with their dedication and quality of writing.

I feel that my work on Soaring has brought me much closer to my own alumni community. I therefore urge my fellow alumni to participate in

Soaring--to suggest articles or help with copy editing. Our Spalding writing community is strong but our ability to work together without the constant stress of competition sets us apart from other MFA programs. Soaring is a great example of our unique ability to share in the joy of one another’s successes and ideas.

Of course, while I’ve enjoyed the experience, my time as Editor-In-Chief cannot last forever. This is my last issue and I’m pleased to pass on the mantle to the next lucky recipient.

Thanks to each of you who submitted articles, helped with copy editing and publicizing. Thanks to all of you for reading Soaring and thereby strengthening our alumni community.

If you have any interest in serving the alumni community as the new Editor-In-Chief, please contact Terry Price at terry@terryprice.net.

In this issue you will find articles covering the most recent Spring Homecoming Celebration. Additionally, in line with the warmer weather and because I believe that physical activity (whether it’s walking the dog, gardening, or running and lifting weights) helps us write, there are a few pieces from alumni about how physically moving inspires their writing. I hope you enjoy this issue of Soaring as much as I enjoyed working on it.

Best Regards,

AshleyRose Sullivan

Alumni WorkshopsBrian Russell covers the MFA Alumni Workshop from Homecoming 2013Page 2

Making Your Writing Practice More FitDave DeGoyler discusses how Yoga can benefit your writing.Page 3

Zen and the Art of Labradoodle Wrangling Page 6

Upcoming Events for Spalding MFA AlumniPage 8

Field Trip to Jaipur India

Helena Kriel has an adventure for you! Page 5

Letter From The EditorA last message from Editor-In-Chief AshleyRose SullivanPage 1

Upcoming Events & Submission OpportunitiesPage 11

A Quarterly Newsletter Homecoming 2013

Dream of a BikeLauren Shows reveals how her bike rides contribute to her writing process.Page 9

2 SOARING

S O A R I N G

Last  month  was  the  +irst  time  I’d  attended  Spalding  University’s  MFA  Homecoming  weekend  since  graduating  in  May  2010.  This  year,  for  the  +irst  time  ever,  there  were  workshops  offered  for  returning  alumni  and  I  eagerly  participated  in  one  of  the  CNF  workshops.  My  workshop  partners  were  fellow  alums  Martha  Bourlakas  and  Jim  Wilson.  The  several  hours  the  three  of  us  spent  together  over  the  course  of  two  days  (Friday  and  Saturday)  were  absolutely  a  highlight  of  the  weekend.  (Tim  O’Brien’s  talks  were  pretty  darned  good  too,  of  course!)

Here’s  what  I’d  like  to  point  out  about  having  material  workshopped  at  Spalding  –  it’s  Spalding,  and  therefore,  oh-­‐so-­‐very-­‐similar  to  the  experience  we  all  enjoyed  during  our  5  residencies  while  earnings  our  MFAs.  I’ve  workshopped  new  work  at  other  national  literary  conferences,  and  while  I’ve  certainly  got  something  out  of  

those  experiences,  they  simply  aren’t  Spalding.  They  are  not  infused  with  the  type  of  support  and  care  and  respect  for  both  work  and  writer  that  we  all  bene+itted  from  during  our  time  at  Spalding.  This  truly  felt  like  a  Homecoming;  a  return  to  home.

At  the  start  of  each  residency  Sena  says,  “Welcome  home.”  In  every  smile,  every  hug,  every  conversation,  and  every  encounter,  however  brief,  while  in  Louisville  last  month,  I  felt  that  sort  of  welcoming.  I  don’t  think  I  knew  just  how  thirsty  I  was  for  it  before  experiencing  it  +irst  hand.  

My  understanding  is  that  of  the  more  than  100  alums  who  attended  Homecoming  this  year,  40  or  so  participated  in  one  of  the  alumni  workshops.  I  hope  –  and  expect  –  they  got  as  much  out  of  their  workshops  as  I  got  out  of  mine.  And,  if  you  are  an  alum  who  has  never  attended  Homecoming  before,  I’d  like  to  urge  you  to  consider  it  next  

year.  To  once  again  have  your  work  read  with  such  care,  such  attention  to  detail,  and  such  considerate  and  learned  feedback  is  truly  something  special.  You  remember.  It’s  unique,  and  in  our  busy  lives  many  of  us  don’t  get  that  sort  of  attention  on  anything  like  a  daily  basis.  The  weekend  is  a  chance  to  reconnect  with  people  and  with  your  own  work.  It  is  restorative,  like  a  spa  or  a  dip  in  the  ocean.  And,  for  me,  at  least,  it  is  inspiring  (again)  and  encouraging  and  quite  a  bit  less  lonely  than  our  daily  writing  days  tend  to  be.  

I  am  grateful  to  Marjetta  Geerling  for  taking  the  lead  in  organizing  these  workshops  and  to  Spalding  University  and  the  entire  Spalding  MFA  staff  for  making  these  workshops  possible  at  no  cost  whatsoever  to  alumni.  What  a  terri+ic  and  lasting  gift.  

MFA ALUM WORKSHOPS: An Idea Whose Time Has Come!

Brian Russell

S E Q U O I A C L U B

SOARING 3

Chances are when you think of wordsmiths like Hemingway, Thomas, Fitzgerald, Kerouac (and how many others), you don’t think of health or fitness. Research suggests that some of the most influential writers of the past couple centuries may have used alcohol as a way to temporarily “escape” the pressures of day-to-day life. There sure are a lot of those pressures, it seems, but what if there were healthier ways to get similar results? And what if some of those ways could also help you with the act of writing?

Yoga isn’t just a form of mind-body exercise or a philosophy or an art, it’s also a science. And science plays a part in its many benefits, from the calming effects of certain restorative poses (like Child’s Pose and Legs-up-the-Wall Pose), to the way certain poses (asanas) or breathing techniques (pranayama) manipulate internal organs like the

pineal gland, the thalamus (which helps in processing information from the senses), the hypothalamus (which affects heart rate as well a emotional responses like fight-or-flight and relaxation), and the limbic system (which controls emotions and is also associated with skills you learn, like how to create a complex character through the use of dialogue, for example), all of which can benefit the writer.

Poses like Mountain Pose take something as ordinary as standing in place and make it much more than simply standing. The balls of your feet and your heels should be grounded, with your ankles lined up over your feet (and each body is, of course, different with regards to just how aligned you can be), your knees stacked over them, your hips, and so on. You focus on your breath and on how and where you connect to the mat. Feel that connection and draw your awareness to it. Work your way up. This grounds you, literally, to the spot, but it also allows you to

Making Your Writing Practice More Fitby Dave DeGoyler

S O A R I N G

S E Q U O I A C L U B

4 SOARING

connect with yourself, to observe yourself, and to practice directing your focus (which is one thing writers struggle with at times).

Poses like Tree Pose and Warrior II take that centering and expand on it, as they test your balance while at the same time offering you a sense of stability (as you feel your feet under you, your legs under you, your hips under you). But there’s more to yoga than how it feels physically or emotionally, there are also physiological and neurological benefits.

You can develop a practice of yoga separate from your writing to enhance your health, calm your mind, restore some balance into your life, but one of the things I love about yoga is putting together a few specific poses as a way into the writing. Of course, breathing techniques are also very helpful when it comes to redirecting energy and attention.

Here’s a statistic that might surprise you: “70% of the body’s waste products are eliminated through the lungs.” Yet most of us breathe all wrong- we typically don’t inhale beyond the top of our chest (and, when we get stressed, we often hold our breath without even realizing it which can impact blood pressure, energy, concentration, and stress). Breathing exercises like alternate-nostril breathing, for just five minutes, can calm your mind and your emotions, stimulate the whole brain, and improve concentration.

You don’t need to sit for an hour or even half an hour to benefit from meditation (though the benefits of doing so can be many) or from simply slowing down. Several breathing techniques can change the way you feel and think in a matter of minutes (providing you energy or calming the nervous system if needed).

It’s also one way to train your brain to move from the stressed, flight-or-flight response to the relaxed

response. And in order to immerse yourself into your writing, being able to have some say into asserting a bit of relaxation can make a huge difference. That doesn’t mean if you’ve just had an argument with someone you love or learned some alarming news that all you need to do is breathe. But you might be surprised how a few techniques, like alternate nostril breathing or bumble-bee breath can help.

Of course, as Summer unfolds we tend to be more physically active (both indoors and outdoors, though extreme heat can certainly impact such activity and common sense should be employed when undertaking any exercises that require exertion).

If you’re looking for something a bit more frenetic (though yoga can be quite intense if you want it to be), High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is an effective way of getting an intense workout in just 20 minutes three times a week while doing something you enjoy like bicycling, running, even walking. You can improve strength, endurance, energy, muscle-tone, and more. To learn about HIIT and to see a sample workout broken down, follow this link.

But be sure, as with any new fitness routine, to talk to your doctor to make sure it’s right for you.

Improving your endurance, your ability to calm your busy mind, to redirect your focus, and to shift your emotional and physical energy can help you not just feel healthier, but also shape your time at the page. That’s where we want you, after all. Writing. Doing the thing you love.

S O A R I N G

S E Q U O I A C L U B

SOARING 5

S O A R I N G

FIELD  TRIP  TO  THE  JAIPUR  LITERARY  FESTIVAL  LED  BY  HELENA  KRIEL

Calling  all  adventurous  MFA  students  and  alumni:We  are  putting  together  a  +ield  trip  to  the  best  literary  festival  in  the  world!The  Jaipur  Literary  Festival  is  held  in  India  and  has  a  line  up  of  Nobel  laureates,Booker,  Pulitzer,  National  book  award  winners.  It  encompasses  a  range  of  readings,  talks,  debates,  performances,  workshops  and  world  music.  The  festival  is  held  in  the  Diggi  Palace,  which  is  a  beautiful  heritage  property  in  the  colorful  and  crazy  city  of  Jaipur.  We  will  have  VIP  passes,  this  will  give  us  access  to  the  parties,  wonderful  lunches  and  dinners  and  the  world  music  festival  at  night.  It  is  kite  festival  and  wedding  festival  time  in  India,  so  the  city  will  be  at  its  most  colorful  and  craziest  best.  The  dates  for  2014  are  Jan  17th  –  21st  Jan  2014.  

After  the  festival  we  will  remain  in  India  for  5  days.  During  this  time  we  will  travel  a  little,  the  intention  being  to  stimulate  creativity.  Everything  we  see/hear/touch/taste/smell  will  be  fodder  for  the  page.  Some  ideas  for  the  last  +ive  days  would  be:  a  visit  to  the  Taj  Mahal,  perhaps  a  camel  safari  into  the  desert  where  we  will  overnight  in  huge  tents,  visits  to  the  historic  palaces  in  the  area,  culinary  experiences,  and  a  day  spent  painting  and  washing  an  Indian  elephant.  This  gives  you  some  idea  of  what  the  ten  days  could  contain.  

Let  us  know  if  you  are  interested  at  HKriel@aol.com  and  much  more  information  will  be  forthcoming!  Visit  the  alumni  website  at  http://www.spaldingmfaalum.com  for  updates!  

S E Q U O I A C L U B

6 Nullam arcu leo, facilisis ut

S O A R I N G

Have you ever walked a labradoodle? It’s like trying to walk the wind. Ok, perhaps that’s not quite accurate. Walking a labradoodle is like trying to harness and direct the shifting tides….only those tides are hell-bent on eating that squirrel, dead bird, and the other squirrel that is obviously taunting them.

I haven’t taken the time to leash-train my 85-lb. leviathan of a Labradoodle because, well, I’m supposed to be writing. I’ve got better things to do, right? Her name is Lola (No, not after anything by Barry Manilow. She’s named after the song by The Kinks. And don’t you dare judge me.) and she is enormous, headstrong, and has a wicked case of puppy-related ADD. What does this have to do with anything?

In his book, On Writing, Stephen King says, “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” Harsh truths, Stephen, harsh truths. But here’s my question: can’t you do both at once?

Can you not wait for inspiration and be sitting down to work at the same time? Walking Lola, oddly enough, does an amazing amount for my writing.

You know how you’ve always been told that doodling or doing other such menial tasks can occupy one side of your brain so that the other side is free to play unencumbered? For example, Albert Einstein worked in the U.S. Patent office and, during that time, formulated the foundation for his beliefs about the relationship between space and time. T.S. Eliot was a bank clerk. Apparently, Kurt Vonnegut worked at a Saab dealership.

For me, some of my best ideas about my writing have come in the moments when I am fearing most for my life as I try to wrestle my poorly-trained Lola away from school-buses, squirrels, and Canadian Geese protected by multiple migratory bird acts, which, if caught, would make sweet Lola a hardened felon. Let me tell you: my girl’s not cut out for jail, a fact that is true for me as well. This obviously rules out bank robbery as a way to pay the bills. Not exactly relevant, but as much inspiration as I get from chasing my dog, I can’t imagine that situation translates to being chased as a part of a bargain wherein one is traded for Skittles and a pack of cigarettes. (Clearly, I watch too many crime dramas and know nothing about prison.)

Zen and the Art of Labradoodle Wranglingby Kate Beer

S E Q U O I A C L U B

SOARING 7

S O A R I N GBut I digress. I would argue, with all due respect to Mr. King, that getting up and going to work can be one and the same with waiting for inspiration because it makes that waiting an active rather than passive gesture.

We are told by our mothers and cardiologist alike to be more active, to get 30 minutes of physical activity at least 5 days a week, to get up and move, to live lives less sedentary. When I’m particularly lardy, nothing in my life really syncs up. But when I’m active, I have more energy, I feel more intelligent, and I watch a lot less South Park. (Though, this may be the reason for the former.)

What’s more that this? No one has ever told a writer that they spend too much time in their own skulls. Our minds are where our characters live and play

and talk to us. I have found that I am most productive inside of my own head when I am walking Lola. Is it an experience fraught with near-death experiences for both of us? Youbetcha. Is it stressful? Pshyea. Do I get more of a cardiovascular workout than she does because I am not only running at the same pace as she but am also worrying for both of us about our survival? More true that you know, buster. But all that heart-pumping adrenaline and fresh air has inspired some pretty great things in my writing, some “Ah ha!” moments, if you will. So whenever I’m feeling particularly stuck, I walk the dog. If nothing else, it offers perspective so that I can tell the character in my head who is grappling with his inability to call his mother, “Dude, shut up. I almost got hit by a moving van and just saved a duck’s life. Call your mom.” And, because I am being towed by a behemoth, blonde, bombshell of a dog, no one notices that I’m talking to myself.

For those of you with tiny or well-trained animals, my Lola is available for rent. All we ask is some liver treats and to be acknowledged in your next novel or cover page. She says that she would like to be a character or, at the very least, have a cameo. I told her that’s ridiculous and that an acknowledgement will suffice. She told me that she’s going to chase the neighbor’s pet raccoon on our next walk. Bring it on, Lolabear: maybe I’ll finally nail that ending.

Follow Kate at her daily humor blog: http://www.thenestedblog.com/  

S E Q U O I A C L U B

8 SOARING

S O A R I N G

Novel Practice Pitch Sessions 2014 Homecomingby Vickie Weaver

Pitching your novel to agents and/or editors is one way to representation, and preparation is the key to a confident, skillful pitch. At homecoming the past three years, I have been excited to work with alums in one-on-one sessions to make their pitches productive. I’ve met with old friends, and I’ve made new friends. My job is fun, because I enjoy listening to each person share their project. I offer feedback, and we brainstorm together. The exchange of ideas about words and books and the writing life knocks me over. I hope I energize my friends; without a doubt, they energize me. If you’re one of those writers who works better with a deadline, plan to be ready for the practice pitch sessions at our next homecoming. It’s my goal to have a full schedule in 2014. My email is dirtyoven@yahoo.com – email me if you have any questions, and please write Pitch Session in the subject line.

Northern California Regional Alumni EventSave the date now! Saturday, October 5, for our first Northern California Regional Alumni Event. The event is open to all MFAers, alums, students, and faculty. Friends, especially those who love to write, are welcome! Join us for an afternoon of enjoyment, good conversation, readings, refreshments, a presentation on Social Media, and . . . more. MFA Alum Corrine Jackson, author of If I Lie and Touched, will present “Social Media for Writers: Before Publication and After.” She will address the following issues: Why should I engage in social media? What social media platforms are right for me? Where do I even begin to build up an online audience? How do Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blogs differ from each other and how can they be used in concert? Many new authors are asking these questions, while published authors seek to expand their social media presence and leverage new tools. An online presence isn't built overnight, but more publishers are seeking authors willing to engage with their audience in a digital space. This presentation will break down the major tools of social media and how to begin to build your audience, even before you are published. Then we'll discuss tools to use after you are published to leverage your presence and book visibility. You'll learn about conducting a blog tour and what it means to your promotion efforts. When: 1:45-4 p.m. Saturday, October 5 Where: Fort Mason near Fisherman’s WharfFort Mason Center, Building C, Room C3702 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123

RSVP by Friday, September 20. (Just reply to email or call 502-873-4399). If you would like to give a 5-6 minute reading of your work, please let Karen know. We have time for 6-8 people to read.

S E Q U O I A C L U B

SOARING 9

I have this real dream of a bike: it's a Huffy Galaxie, circa the '60s, bright blue with a headlight that works. It's got a squeaky seat, a little rust and gears that creak every third turn or so, but otherwise it is a seriously sweet ride. I have actually seen people turn to their friends and loved ones and point at my bike as I round the corner, and in these moments, I wish I had a bell that I could chime, to acknowledge these acknowledgements, to let these people know that I see their approval, their bald envy, and yes, it is both appropriate and understandable. I’d also like to give a jaunty little wink and a tip of the hat. I guess I should get a hat.

I live in a little hippie village of about 3,500 in Ohio, one that takes itself pretty seriously in terms of its commitment to things like personal health and wellness. Taking a look at the local phone book, I see that there are 38 practitioners listed under "Holistic Healthcare/Wellness," 17 massage therapists, two yoga studios, and four places that sell vitamins, one of which is the local newspaper, where I work. I say all this, not to make fun of my town (alright, I'm making fun of it a little bit), but to highlight the incongruous nature of my personal level of activity to that of the general local populace.

My bike, a gift from my partner Anthony this summer, was a veritable god-send for somebody like me; that is, a particularly inactive person in such a very, very active town. I wasn't always sedentary. Like most kids, I was up and running as soon as I could get to it, but I slowed down quite a bit when I started reading and writing in earnest, and it got even worse when I discovered Nintendo and corn-based snacks. To this day, I love me some Mario and Cheetos, but my bike was something of a game-changer for me this summer, for a few reasons.

First of all, the bike really is the sedentary person's best option for being active. It's literally exercise that you do while sitting down. I'm not saying it's easy or anything, but the fact that I don't actually even have to move my arms brings a lot of appeal to bike travel for me. Second, and this is a big one, living in a small town means I rarely drive anymore.

I used to drive around for hours before I moved here; it's how I've traditionally rooted around for material throughout my writing life. Driving is such a rote physical task, one that requires the same repeated actions of my eyes, my muscles, my reflexes. For better or for worse, though, driving does not get all of my

S O A R I N G

Dream of a Bikeby Lauren Shows*editors note: This article was commissioned for the Winter Issue

S O A R I N G

10 SOARING

brain, because any long stretch of road sends me into myself, flushing out anything that might be living there in the shadows.

This summer, I began to use my bike more and more to try and fill that role. Our town is a stop on the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail, a lovely, quiet stretch of asphalt that winds on for about 75 miles. It's a safe place to ride, and to try and retreat into myself in the same way I would in my car. It works, to a point, but the physical exercise involved brings me out of myself quite a bit (especially when panting and huffing up a hill), as does the scenery, which I pass at an embarrassingly slow speed, and am thus able to better appreciate. Invariably, riding a bike means I have the potential to be inspired two-fold: by my own thoughts, and by the

world outside my head. To be clear, I don't actually get concrete ideas from sight-seeing on my bike. Rather, it's as though getting outside and being active not only wakes up my brain, but opens it up some, makes it better able to accept whatever information might be lying dormant in its many recesses.

Today, my bike is locked up and covered, unused during the cold months. And I have to admit, my brain seems to have shrunk since I last rode my bike; it took me at least a week longer than I thought it would to write this brief piece. For now, I do a lot of sitting by the window with my hand in my chin, waiting for the ideas to show up, but mostly, waiting for spring.

S E Q U O I A C L U B

SOARING 11

Wanted: Editor-In-ChiefIf you’re interested in contributing to the Spalding MFA Alumni Community in a new way and want to try your hand at editing, contact Terry Price at terry@terryprice.net

Get Your Work Out There! 94 Creations: 94 Creations is a print literary journal that publishes an eclectic assortment of outstanding fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, drama, and art by both emerging and established writers and artists. http://www.94creationsjournal.com/

A Capella Zoo: This is an independent web & print magazine of magic realism & slipstream. We seek surprising imagery, layered storytelling, well-explored perspectives & ideas, and a natural, contemporary sense of place & person.Find more information and submit at: http://scapezine.com/

Used Furniture Review: Used Furniture Review is an online literary magazine founded in November 2010. We are interested in all genres of writing, art and music; we are also interested in running interviews with authors and musicians, as well as chapbook or book reviews.Look them up at: http://usedfurniturereview.com

100 Word Story: The whole is a part and the part is a whole. The 100-word format forces the writer to question each word, to reckon with Flaubert’s mot juste in a way that even most flash fiction doesn’t. At the same time the brevity of the form allows the writer “to keep a story free from explanation,” as Walter Benjamin wrote.Find them at: http://www.100wordstory.org/

S O A R I N G