Gary Schmidt was one of the first authors that I had the privilege of hearing. Presenting on “Writing for the Middle School Reader: War, Trouble, and Calamity”, Schmidt talked about the decisions that we make or, more importantly, the decisions that young adults are making. He asked, “What are the decisions that we make that help us turn our face away from childhood, and towards adulthood” and “When does a child say, ‘I believe this because I believe it?’” And, then, how do we address this in our writing?

Some awesome Gary Schmidt quotes include:

“The poetry will come later, but the story first!” (In recounting his 6th grade reading of Shakespeare)

“It was sort of a Holy moment.”

“When gods die, they die hard” (From his book, Wednesday Wars).

“Yeah, I used the same name. I really didn’t like her” (In talking about a character in his book who was obviously inspired by his 6th grade teacher, Ms. Baker).

“Love, in this world, folks, is not guaranteed.”

Schmidt finished by addressing St. Augustine’s questions on writing: Does the story serve? Does your reader grow? Does your reader have more to be Christian with.”

And, again, “Let us give them the stories tha thelp us turn their faces toward adulthood.”

And then, and then, and then…

I had the lovely opportunity to hear Mary Karr, poet and memoir writer. What I loved about Mary’s presentation was that she started with prayer. Yay for prayer before writing talks, yes?

In reminiscing about some past life events, Mary said, “The good thing about Christiands and stuff–ya’ll show up! You will bring a casserole. You will bring the jello.” And, I love that. I think because that is what I am about, or what I hope I am about. I know that sometimes I drastically fail, and sometimes it’s about performance instead of love, which is disappointing, but God is good in working on even that in my life.

I have to say, though, my all time favorite Mary Karr moment was when she referred to her brain as a “squirrell in a coffee can.” Oh, good! I’m not the only one.

But, mostly, I connected with her on prayer and writing. I know that I write my best when I am doing so prayerfully. “Nothing will bring you closer to the Lord

Do I really need to say anything about this picture? I look cheesily happy and Michael Chabon just looks beautiful. Old enough to be my father, sure, but beautiful nonetheless. I heart him. Really.

Funny story, though, I told Michael to “look authorly” just before this picture was taken. To which he responded immediately afterwards, “Oh, man, I did my chef look instead.”

After M.C., there was an open Mic poetry reading which I read at (A cheesy poem I wrote for the spirit of the event, and then fiction because there were no fiction reading events! I will be talking to someone about this heresy).

***

Some Friday Stories

I was awoken at 5:30 this morning with an earthquake! Oh my! How did my Milwaukee friends fare, I wonder.

First session: C.S. Lewis and the Moral Obligation, a presentation by Michael Testa with Walden Media.

“Sometimes fantasy stories say waht best needs to be said” C. S. Lewis.

Did you know they used 47 real pigs for the filming of Charlotte’s Webb? And that children spend 7 minutes of daily leisure time reading?

Great presenter. Really good points about children readers. And, I really was able to take away the idea of ’moral agency in the world of fantasy’ which will compliment my Henry James “conscious moral purpose” kick that I have been on for a while.

Final favorite quote from Michael, “If you’re teaching the Holocaust and your kids are not having nightmares on a regular basis, there’s something wrong with your teaching.”

On a more depressing note, I talked to an agent. Those suckers are mean! There was lots of bloodletting, mostly by me, and while I did not cry, I am currently sulking and blogging.

“Mommy, I don’t want to be a writer!”

“…In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

We began this morning with a beautiful chapel speaker, writer Uwem Akpan. Uwem is originally from Nigeria and was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 2003. HIs short stories, “My Parent’s Bedroom”–a finalist for the Caine Prize for African Writing–and “An Ex-Mas Feast” have appeared in the New Yorker and will be inlcuded in his first short-story collection. Say You’re One of Them will be published this summer (note: most of this biographical information is taken from the Festival’s handbook).

The service was, of course, beautiful and I really connected with Uwem. He talked about how he had to dreams: to be a priest and to be a writer. Daniel 3:16-18 really spoke to God guiding him in bringing these two professions together. And then, once he became a writer, he went into formal training for the priesthood, where he encountered more complications. “But at that point, I was very proud… I’m a writer! I’m a writer!” Ironic, because I feel as if I am in the opposite position (I want to talk about faith! I want to talk about faith!) and I am getting the same resistance from The Academy as Uwem was experiencing in his position. Micah 6:8 is his life verse for that life time period.

“…do justice… love kindness… and walk humbly with your God.”

After chapel, I had a few minutes to talk with Uwem. I asked him to pray for me and it was everything beautiful and lovely and human. He held my hands, but because I wasn’t prepared for that, I was standing at an awkward angle, so during the prayer when I wasn’t agree with with him, “Yes, Jesus… Yes, God,” I kept praying, “Dear God, please don’t let me fall over!”

But, mostly, it was just beautiful.

At the end of the service when everyone was holding hands and praying… I am surprised I didn’t cry!

After chapel, I went to a reading by Nancy Hull, a teacher of children’s literature at Calvin College. Her first young-adult novel, On Rough Seas, has just been released and she is currently working on a second YA novel. We chatted about YA historical books for a while afterwards. Very kind and generous woman.

In between sessions, I met an ex-librarian for Grand Valley State University, K. Laurel Balkema and we chatted up library stuff. That was really enjoyable and an excellent connection to make!

And, finally, the key note speaker, Mary Gordon was LOVELY! Beyond lovely! Magnificent!!

The title of her talk: Is Fiction Moral?

So, of course, everything I have EVER wanted to talk about (well besides dark chocolate M&Ms) in The Academy.

A random sketch of quotes/thoughts from her…

“If your primary purpose in life is to be moral, then your primary goal should be to do good works, not to write.”

“Bad art does not create bad morals.”

“IF GOOD FICTION CREATED GOOD MORALS, ENGLISH DEPARTMENTS WOULD BE A UTOPIAN OASIS!”

“When I am thinking about morals, I look to people I know, not fictional characters.”–probably why I have such a HARD time remembering to NOT put people on pedastals. Bummer.

Well, signing out for now. Have to get MORE coffee, and go to the next event.

Had to get batteries for my camera.

I find it somewhat cool that the Pope came to the U.S. on the same day that I came “home” to good ‘ol GR. All in all, I am excited for today!

More to come later, with pics at some point (maybe they will have to be added in later). I will do my best to keep you all updated.

Way back in the day (2004ish), I moved in with Jeremy (theology prof.) and Denise (amazing woman). So, I am geeked about seeing them and the new house that they are moving into!

Also, their children (and their subsequent names) are adorable: Kyria, Kristine, and Kassandra.

you-are-welcome

Both things came in the mail today.

I wore my graduation hood, hat, and gown while eating PB&J for dinner.

I am geeked about hearing M.C. talk at the Festival of Faith and Writing.