We, a total of eleven, had a great meeting last Wednesday. Charles Meyer summed up his TV ME contest and how to get involved in that, we had some beautiful readings in both poetry and prose. Peter got his bi-monthly entertainment when Andrew read a portion of his rather off the wall novel.
Kerri Dieffenwierth embraced us all with an article she'd written for commemorating the tenth year since 9/11. It was absolutely beautiful, both the words and the way she read. Kerri read in such a way it lifted right off the page and floated out over rapt listeners. I talked to everyone about it on Thursday.
I wrote to Kerri and told her how much I loved her work and to please tell me about Maine in more detail. She told me a good bit, some of which we can share as she advances through the stages with additional things to share as well. I used most of her own words below so I didn't get anything wrong. :)
Kerri applied to the Stonecoast Writing Program at the University of Southern Maine in December, 2010. She never thought she'd be accepted and hardly told a soul, but she liked the program and the admissions process was a challenge. It included three letters of reference from published authors, some samples of her own work, a personal essay and three critically- acclaimed artiles by other authors in her Creative Fiction genre. She received a letter in mid-February that she'd, indeed, been accepted!! The hoorays and 'Oh, my God's' sounded, I'm sure.
This is called a 'low residency' program. I fly to Maine for two weeks twice a year in July and January for two years and for two weeks at the end of the course, a total of fifty days in Maine. The rest of the lessons will be done by old fashioned USPS delivery and the occasional email email. During the two weeks the workshops are held in a stone house by the sea near Freeport. Simply, perfect for writing!
I hope you all had a wonderful Easter.
Best, Susan
