Last night the ritual of having first-year MFA students read our work in public began, and I wouldn’t consider it hazing but for the loud Steelers fans on the floor above.
That’s Julie Granum at the mic. She’s a fine poet.
April Line, who is very funny, read a serious story about being a single mom. Adri Ramirez, who is also very funny, read a funny story about being a brick house (that’s me trying to be funny. It was more involved than that).
Nonfictioneers Helen Gerhardt and Mark Kramer deftly handled weighty issues (don’t ask/don’t tell and identity in the Balkans, respectively). But nonfiction isn’t always serious, as Dan McMillan proved with his story of getting a ride from Jehova’s Witnesses.
I’m up next week. Come on down to the Fuel & Fuddle basement Thursday if you dare.
