The Curious Feeling of a Stranger: "How easily bored I am without pain as proof"

Bowling Green's (specifically Mid-American Review's) yearly writing festival, Winter Wheat, was this past weekend and I was asked to participate by helping at the registration table, attending panels, and--leading my own panel! It was really great (albeit hectic and exhausting). It felt to me like a mini version of AWP--same basic structure. I felt closer to everyone in the creative writing programs, met some wonderful new writers, and started a couple poems that I'm pretty excited about. Karissa and I did a panel on Anatomical and Neurological Language in Poetry, and I think it went really well. We got on some great discussions about merging body and mind/science and lyricism, using textbook terms to add dynamism to your poetry, how to write a death or autopsy poem when the mind is detached from the body, and quite a bit more (if anyone is interested in seeing the notes for the panel, I'd be glad to send it to you). It was great getting up in front of a room of writers and talking about something we were passionate about (even though prior to our research, we knew little to nothing about anatomical terms!).

The literary journal, Hobart, that was positioned next to the Wick Poetry Center table at AWP last year was also there! I bought Mary Miller's book Big World from them, which I'm obsessed with. The guy at the table recognized me and we talked for quite a while about their journal and my switch from Kent to BG and this year's upcoming AWP. I also saw a friend of Ted Lyons' whom I talked to for a little bit. There were readings by Kyle Minor, Ann Townsend, and Seth Fried (seriously impressed by all of them!). Overall, great experience. But because I was so busy with Winter Wheat festivities Thursday-Saturday, I left nearly all of my paper grading for Sunday. But I got them all done! 14 essays in one day (phew). I think the festival refreshed me in a way that I very much needed, which helped clear my mind for all that grading.

I'm very much looking forward to Thanksgiving break. I could definitely use the time off (even though I'll be grading a new batch of essays over break). If anyone is around the Kent area this Wednesday through Sunday, I'd love to catch up. :)

Also, a new outfit (I wear these shoes and this dress a lot. I think it's time to get more creative.):