Project Title: Postgraduate Writers' Conference
Project Author: Lois Roma-Deeley (Paradise Valley)
Abstract: Write a concise summary with descriptive information about your project, location, time span, your relationship to it, etc. Include specific information-- since you have completed your project, your knowledge is valuable and can be shared with your colleagues.
The purpose of this project was to attend the 9th Annual Postgraduate Writers' conference from August 11-17, 2004 . My goal was to upgrade my knowledge and skills in creative writing with a specific emphasis in the manuscript arrangement process as well as my knowledge of poetry and the American experience in Viet Nam. The skills involved in the manuscript process aresimilar to those used in arranging music. I learned how to arrange to the following elements found among and between poems/essays/chapters: theme, transitions/juxapositons, tone, structure and symbolism with the final purpose of creating a finished creative piece--a unified, coherent book. Further, this was rare opportunity to upgrade my knowledge as I believe this may be the only postgraduate creative writing conference in the country. My objective was met: to gain new knowledge through research/participation in the manuscript arrangement process, issues and forums, master classes, readings and conferences. Moreover, I received my MFA in creative writing in 1988 and my Ph.D. in creative writing in 2000 and, in both degree programs, the opportunity to learn about manuscript arrangement was not an option.There were simply no classes on the subject. Indeed, I have never attended any lecture, seminar or conference--credited class or professional activity--in which I had the opportunity to learn and apply the skills, techniques, craft and art of manuscript arrangement. Also, my research into the poetry that arises out of the American experience in Viet Nam keeps me current in my discipline regarding this little visited area of American contemporary literature. My research into contemporary poetry written by Ruefle, Goldberg and Weingradtern keeps me current in my field and assist with various campus and district events where I must recommend various poets for district judging and/or campus functions.
Outcomes: In a paragraph or two describe what worked well. Did you accomplish your objective(s)? Were you able to complete your summer project as written? If not, what did you modify and why? What did not go as well as expected, if anything? Were there any surprises? Note: Use the questions as guides for your outcomes. Do not include detailed list of workshops attended, speakers who presented, or a list of items you have seen, heard, or read.
The research I did prior to the conference was a key to my success in completing my objectives. This research gave me an excellent point of departure for the workshop and craft lectures I attended. I met my goal of learning the skills, technizques, craft and art of manuscript arrangment and so I can say I completed my summer project as written.
I was surprised by the depth and breathe of the knowledge I gained--it was a deepening academic experience and I will be a much better creative writing and literature teacher because of this summer project. I feel this conference gave me skills and knowledge I could not have gotten in any other format. I have grown as a professional and feel I have an extraordinatry amount new knowledge to share with my students and colleagues.
Professional Growth: Your own professional growth is a large part of your project. Your professional growth is important to you, your students, your college, and possibly other colleagues. How did project affect you professionally? What skills did you learn? What environments were you working in and how might your summer project influence your teaching or other responsibilities? Did you gain a different perspective? Was it professionally valuable for you?
I upgraded my teaching skills, specifically with an emphasis on the manuscript arrangement process. These new skills as well as the additional reasearch gained from this conference are used in the following ways: 1)new teaching methods and to gain resources regarding how to teach students to arrange their own manuscripts 2) incorporate my new knowledge into the following courses that I teach on a regular basis: ENG 210 Creative Writing, ENG 205 Nature of Poetry, ENG 217 Personal and Exploratory Writing 3) apply, when appropiate, my new knowledge to the Associate of Fine Arts Certificate programs 4) assist district creative writing faculty who are currently investigating the possiblity of district-wide Associate of Fine in Arts-Creative Writing Degee. In addition, I had the opportunity to learn from Bruce Weigl, the Distinguished Professor of Arts and Humanities at Lorain Community College regarding teaching methods, programs, classes, events that are offered at his community college--this is also a rare opportunity as most poets of his stature work work at the university level. I also studied with contemporary poets Mary Rufefle, Roger Weingarten and Beckian Fritz Goldberg.
Dissemination: How will you share this information with your colleagues, department, students, or college?
I have research notes, writing exercises, lecture notes and a list of books for our library. I attended the conference and participate in workshops, seminars, lectures, readings and professional consultations. My research informed the detailed notes that I took at the conference. The research and notes formed the basis for lecture material as well as forming the basis for campus, district and committee contacts. As a teacher of creative writing and literature as well as an active member of PVCC's Fine and Performing Arts committee, curriculum designer PV (Associate of Fine Arts certiificates, PV coordinator for the district's Creative Writing Contest, editor of PVCC's student literary anthology, , director of PVCC's Visiting Writer speaker series, I upgraded my skills and kept current with contemporary writers as well as current methods of teaching creative writing. My attendance at creative writing conference significant contacts to the college and the district as well as learning new creative writing teaching methods and library acquistions. This was a rare opportunity for me to learn a brand new skill--the manuscript arrangement process . This skill formed the basis for material used to enhance lecture material. For example, I am now able to bring new insights/ideas/information regarding manuscript arrangment to those creative writing students have groups of poems, stories, essays and/or chapters and wish to order them into a "finished product." Also, I learned new creative writing teaching techniques from contemporary writers.
For more information about this project, check out the "package" in the Maricopa Learning eXchange:
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/mlx/slip.php?item=01352