As I begin to review writing samples submitted for The W’s new low-residency MFA in Creative Writing, I’ve been thinking about what it is, exactly, that I hope to see in them, and how I will make my final decisions. The writing sample is the main ingredient of the application packet; everything else either confirms whatContinue reading “Thoughts on the MFA Writing Sample: What are we looking for?”
Author Archives: Kendall Dunkelberg
What to say in your Statement of Purpose? (for an MFA Creative Writing)
Okay, so you’ve decided to apply to an MFA program in creative writing, and you are saddled with the unenviable task of writing a “statement of purpose” or “letter of intent” as I decided to call it in our new low-residency MFA program‘s application requirements. You’re undoubtedly flummoxed, thinking what the heck do I say,Continue reading “What to say in your Statement of Purpose? (for an MFA Creative Writing)”
Follow Up: Not to GRE
This is just a quick follow-up post to my previous one “To GRE or Not to GRE” — that was the question. And the answer is… NOT! Yesterday our Graduate Council voted to allow our new low-residency MFA in Creative Writing to remove the GRE as a requirement for admission. This was not without someContinue reading “Follow Up: Not to GRE”
Good Poetry Week
Sometimes things go in cycles, and this week my poetry cycle must be on an upswing. First, I heard from The Texas Review that they are accepting 4 new poems, and then I heard from Louisiana Literature Press that the proofs of Down to the Dark River were ready for review. I have one poemContinue reading “Good Poetry Week”
To GRE or Not to GRE
Mississippi University for Women, where I direct the creative writing program, was recently approved to offer a low-residency MFA in creative writing. As part of the approval process, I had to bring the proposal to our graduate council. Most of our programs require the GRE with the application, so when there was some initial resistanceContinue reading “To GRE or Not to GRE”
New Year’s Resolution: A New Book of Poems
This title is a little misleading. Last year one of my resolutions was to finish a book of poems on the Mississippi artist Walter Anderson. As is so often the case, it didn’t quite work out the way I planned. It worked out better. While I didn’t finish the manuscript of “Barrier Island Suite,” IContinue reading “New Year’s Resolution: A New Book of Poems”
Book Review: Approaching the Magic Hour by Anges Grinstead Anderson
Approaching the Magic Hour: Memories of Walter Anderson by Agnes Grinstead Anderson My rating: 4 of 5 stars A fascinating memoir for fans of Walter Anderson’s art from the perspective of his wife, this book tells the story of their marriage, his struggles with mental illness, and the times and places that inform his paintings,Continue reading “Book Review: Approaching the Magic Hour by Anges Grinstead Anderson”
2014 in review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt: The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 42,000 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 16 sold-out performances for that manyContinue reading “2014 in review”
A Thought on Meter
I’m in the middle of grading poetry exam, and thinking about how difficult it is to teach writers about rhythm, especially meter. This group of students is doing pretty good discussing it, but this always reminds me of the challenges they have in actually scanning a poem or hearing stressed and unstressed syllables in aContinue reading “A Thought on Meter”
In Memoriam: Dorcas Dorow
This week a major force has passed. Dorcas Dorow wasn’t famous, though she was well known in my home town of Osage, Iowa, and half-way around the world in Lermontov, Russia, our sister city, a relationship she was the driving force behind. And her influence spread through her work at Waldorf and with the many choirsContinue reading “In Memoriam: Dorcas Dorow”
Kendall Dunkelberg 