Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Low-Residency Prep: The Countdown Begins!

The January countdown begins! I haven't paid these people at Queens a dime yet and I've been up to my nose in reading and writing. That's okay because, so far, all the books have been great. Currently reading: Your Blues Ain't Like Mine by Bebe Moore Campbell. Books completed...A Sport and a Pastime, by James Salter, Spending by Mary Gordon, The Passion by Jeannette Winterson, and Revolutionary Road by Robert Yates (no, the movie doesn't count!) There are a few more to go and I plan to have them completed, along with reading log and response papers, by January (as soon as Nanowrimo is over!)

This is how it has worked so far. Upon acceptance into the Queen's program, we newbies received an in-depth syllabus that explained the workshops and seminars for the January residency as well as our required assignments. Each workshop and seminar has a required reading list  - 2 - 4 books each. The seminars are based on a particular theme, reflected in the instructors choice of required reading. In total, there are 12 craft seminars, broken down by genre - fiction, nonfiction, poetry and stage and screen. Two larger seminars are required, regardless of genre, on topics such as literary reviewing, depending on whether you are a first, second or third residency student. Finally, there are two manuscript workshops, in large and small group settings.

This week, a third residency student contacted all of us with a detailed, FAQ email about the program. She let us know what would happen when we first arrive on campus, how the meal plans work, where the library is located, and what happens at the end of the day (ie, where can we get dinner and a drink?)
This also opened up the opportunity for us newbies to introduce ourselves via email to everyone else. Its been fun to get to know everyone. Even better, I've met some folks in my general neck of the woods, so we've discussed carpooling to Charlotte and possible meet ups, before or after the residency.


Let me know if you have questions about the low residency process. I plan on keeping you all updated as I go along. Keep writing!

10 comments:

BookGeek said...

This sounds really cool so far. Best of luck and YES keep telling me info. :)

Jeanne said...

I have a question. It's early yet, but how do you find the experience matches up to being in an actual class every day? I've considered low-residency programs, but wonder if I'd miss out on the in-person interaction, feedback and connection. Thoughts?

Sheila Lamb said...

The week long residency is 6 full days of workshop/classes. Some programs have longer - 14 days. We bring our manuscripts to some of the workshops at the residency, so there is the face to face interaction 2x a year.

As the manuscript(s) grows, its critiqued by the adviser/mentor/small group online during the semester.

I've taken both online and in-person graduate classes in other disciplines. For me, online works just as well. It all depends on the instructor, the content and the class.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Claire Dawn said...

Yes, definitely keep updating. Low-res programs sound super-cool, although they're a bit of a pain if you don't live in the US.

Jennifer said...

I'm so glad you're reading Salter's A Sport and a Pastime. I think it is a masterpiece and most people haven't read it. His book Light Years is beautiful too--most people like it better.

Sheila Lamb said...

@Claire Dawn - no low res programs elsewhere?

@Jennifer - definitely liked Salter. Read it along with Spending - (writing sex scenes class!)interesting compare/contrast with style and voice.

Jess Smith said...

I'm applying for two low residency programs and worry about my own deadline setting. Do you find you keep yourself on a good timetable? And do you keep in constant touch with the other students throughout the year?

Sheila Lamb said...

@Jess - will let you know how the keeping in touch goes, but I'm pretty addicted to Twitter/Facebook/Email so it shouldn't be a problem :-)

The program provides required deadlines throughout the semester for having work turned in to your adviser and for the adviser to have comments returned back. So, as far as I can tell at this point, you would have assignments due on certain dates, just as in a traditional classroom setting.

dubuas said...

Trying to prepare for my first residency at Vermont College of Fine Arts on Dec 28. I wish I'd read 100 books every year of my life! Everyone there has been very open. Hoping for a great experience.

Sheila Lamb said...

@Dubuas - good luck on your reading!