Here's my photo
Do you have a nickname?
Nope.
What do you like to read?
Too much to list really. The last couple I've read, not counting the Clarion Authors, have been Alice in Wonderland, Jane Eyre, and a short story collection by Kenzaburo Oe. Next on my list is Journey to the West but I've had a hard time tracking down a good English translation.
What kind of stories do you write?
It might be easier to describe the two projects I'm currently working on than rather than describing running genres or themes across everything I've done. The first is about a guy accidentally making first contact with a merperson trapped in a flooded cave and trying to determine its intelligence and moral value compared to a human's. The second takes place in a low fantasy setting draws a lot of inspiration from Greek hero cults and various mythological and historical figures.
How would you describe your personality?
I like meeting new people and learning new things. I've had mixed results in combining these characteristics. Just the other day I spent thirty minutes explaining the finer points of hybridization to my coworker before they finally told me they just weren't that interested in mules.
What would you do this summer if you hadn't been accepted to Clarion?
Working, writing, and playing basketball probably. I work as invigilator (that's a fancy word for a test proctor but since everyone here is probably a vocab nerd too I figured I could get away with it). I have a more exciting semi-professional career playing video games but I don't take that too seriously.
Who will miss you most while you're in San Diego (cats, kids, partner, boss, coworkers)?
Not my Roommates that's for sure. They scheduled someone to crash in my room the minute I told them I was going to be gone for six weeks.
Have you participated in an intensive writing workshop before?
Nope.
What scares you most about Clarion?
More excited than scared really.
What do you do to relax or for recreation?
Sports, reading, and most popular forms of entertainment. TV and movies are a really cool medium that I wish I knew a little more about.
What 1-2 essential things will you bring to Clarion besides your laptop, watergun, and espresso maker?
Probably my basketball and beach trunks just in case an opportunity arises.
What is your ideal career?
Not totally sure. Something where I can help people, do something I like, and pay the bills. All three criteria would be preferable but I'd probably settle for two.
What else do you want us to know about you?
I do some volunteer work at the local elementary school as a storyteller. I also had a one off gig as a juggling clown at a kid's birthday party.
My mother was a professional clown for a long while when I was a kid :) and one of my best friends (also in my writing group) is a professional storyteller -- such cool side gigs! And I can't wait to hear more about your merperson story. That sounds fantastic!
ReplyDeleteLove the low-key reference to your semi-professional(?!) video game career(!). Tell us more.
ReplyDeleteSure. I play Super Smash Bros 4, which is a pretty popular series you might have played with your friends. I'm usually ranked in the top 5 of San Diego which has a couple hundred active players. Smash is pretty neat because it combines speed and skill elements from ball sports with the logical problem solving inherent in strategy games.
DeleteWhat's the name of the short story collection from Kenzaburo Oe and would you recommend it? I can't seem to find it on goodreads, but it sounds like it might be up my alley.
ReplyDeleteSee you soon!
The one I was reading was called Teach us to Outgrow Our Madness. If you're interested in the Japanese fallout post WW2/ the reverse apotheosis of their emperor, current Japanese right wing ultra-nationalism, or in his relationship with his mentally handicapped son then you should enjoy him. But those three things are basically all he writes about. I can bring one of his books if you want to give it a trial run.
ReplyDelete