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Photos from a Zapruder poet July 17, 2007

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I hope this works! I’ve embedded a slideshow of 40 or so photographs on this site, it is my first attempt at being gizmotivated on a blog. Thanks to everyone in Zapruder’s workshop and the institute in kind this summer. I had a productive and memorable time in Amherst. Best of luck to all! Cheers, Timothy

If the slideshow attempt fails, please go here.

So many books, so little time. June 29, 2007

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I realized early this week that I don’t read enough. I’m impressed with how much stuff my workshop classmates have read and analyzed, and seeing how that knowledge fuels class discussions really emphasizes how important the reading process is for improving my own writing.

So I haven’t been writing much this week — I’ve been reading, and it’s great. I finished a book in a single day (Sherman Alexie’s “Flight”). That’s something I haven’t done in years. And I’m going home with a stack of new stuff…I can only hope my bookshelf doesn’t eat them up like it has most of the others.

I’ve been listening, too. So many great discussions and readings. Who else had dreams about twenty Barry Hannahs fighting alongside Mel Gibson in “Braveheart”? I think with one Mel and twenty Barrys you could take on the world.

Maybe just ten or fifteen Barrys and no Mel, actually. Suspenders. Kilts. Face paint. Good stuff.

Alex M.

A rare find in Amherst. June 28, 2007

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I was walking around Amherst today and saw something quite rare and amazing: a pair of Juniper Institute bloggers — one male, one female — hanging out on a bench drinking coffee from an independent coffee house and reading books from a locally owned bookstore (just like they should be!).

“Hey!” I said. “Aren’t you two supposed to be posting some stuff on the Juniper site?”

They looked up, both at the same time, and their eyes opened wide in fright. I’d caught them. They knew it. They dropped their things and fled into some sort of thicket that sat right behind the fifth of six pizza places I saw on that block.

I gave chase but I confess I’m not that speedy, especially considering I have a laptop strapped to my back so I can blog on the fly whenever the mood strikes. Like I’m supposed to.

I’m just sayin’…

Anyway, had a good day with some classmates at Puffer’s Pond today. Back to work tomorrow with a full slate of craft sessions, workshops, and all else writerly. Hope everyone is having a great time.

Oh, and here’s general link recommendation I mentioned to a classmate and thought I’d share with my 1 reader out there: Duotrope’s Digest. It’s a database of publications to which you can submit your freshly workshopped stories and poems. Get busy!

Alex M.

Tuesday Evening June 28, 2007

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After spending three months of alternately anticipating participating in the Institute and dreading-slash-regretting my decision to apply and my acceptance into the Institute, it’s strange to already be 2 1/2 days into the institute. I have never been in the presence of so many writers and so many bibliophiles. It is dually invigorating and frightening. Invigorating because I am finally with people who really, truly love and believe in their craft(s); frightening because time is finite and I will only ever read and write a finite amount of material.

I originally thought that the Institute would be more or less a place for older, more developed writers. And that frightened me. After all, how would I contribute or relate being only a college senior? The refreshing and relieving thing about the Institute is that there are all ages and levels of development. The interplay between generations and development levels is interesting. There’s such an excitement in most, if not all, of the participants– it’s a sense that, more than anything, we all just want to talk about with people who understand our passion and craft this thing that is so innate within us, the thing that we love doing so much .

-Joanna G.

Great first day. June 26, 2007

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Today was the first full day of Q&A’s, workshops, etc., and it was a blast. I had a great time at the Mark Doty/Grace Paley reading Sunday night and enjoyed the extended Q&A with Paley this morning. Lunch and the first workshop session followed (mine is with Joy Williams) — we have a great bunch in the workshop and I look forward to reading everyone’s stories and talking with them throughout the week.

It’s great to get some exposure to a larger writing community…I live in a small town so any chance I have to dip into a good community of writers is a special one. Thanks to all who put this program together.

Alex M.

Welcome! June 25, 2007

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Welcome to your blog, Juniper Institute poets and writers! This is community space offering you a place to publish your impressions and reflections as the week unfolds and providing an additional medium for conversing with each other. Only institute participants can make posts, but the blog itself can be read by anyone. Enjoy! –Lisa

Three months to the Juniper Institute March 6, 2007

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It’s coming your way!