Why did you take this course?
I am
primarily a poet. I often feel that language is utilized in my field with all
the power and usefulness of a frilly-finned goldfish. I should say that I took
Literary Journalism because I was interested in how journalism impacted the
literary world. I could also say that learning about various forms of writing
improves my imagination on all sides, or that I wanted to become a powerful
goldfish of language.
But the
real reason is Lynne Barrett. Every once in a while, I discover a professor who
dedicates herself to her students as enthusiastically and meticulously as she
does to her own endeavors. Lynne Barrett is such a person. I felt that studying
literary journalism with her would teach me to navigate the field more
respectfully and attentively, but I really just wanted to take another class
with her.
What did you hope to learn in this
course?
I was
particularly interested in building a platform for myself as a writer. In a
world where so many people have an MFA and everyone is glued to the internet,
visibility and diversity go a long way. A bit of direction in understanding how
to present myself as such can go a long way.
What have you learned so far?
Lynne
asked me several times throughout the semester how my author website was going,
and has motivated me six ways from Sunday to actually create an online
presence. I’m also inspired at what wild sprigs of ideas can be explored and
planted under the umbrella of “literary journalism.” And people are interested.
Look at http://www.brainpickings.org.
Or http://paperandsalt.org, this amazing
website that pairs authors with recipes. If you can think it, organize it,
write it, you can probably find readers for it.
When did you begin blogging and why?
I’ve had
everything from MySpace to Wordpress. You name it, I’ve tried my hand at it. Every
time I started a blog, it petered off after a few tepid entries of useless
personal information. I’ve never had great discipline with blogging. I would
rather spend my time editing a journal or practicing archery than typing up a blog
post that will probably crawl out of its internet grave in twenty years to
haunt me.
However,
when wielded attentively and devotedly, blogging can be a writer’s greatest
asset. I think one valuable thing Lynne has taught me is consistency with
taking on the internet literary community. If you say you’re going to post once
per week, you’d better be true to your word. And then perhaps one right blog
post shared on a whim can go viral and elevate you to fame. Isn’t that the luck
of the draw? I’m not hoping for that. Some days, it’s a challenge to get
anything down on paper at all.
What are the advantages of blogging?
Disadvantages?
Time is
definitely an issue for me. I foresee myself not so much exploring the
advantages of blogging (or blundering through the disadvantages) as utilizing a
website as a platform that requires minimal maintenance. I would imagine the
entire internet community keeping me accountable to my own online presence.
Everything about the web is a double-edged sword. Isn’t that why it’s called a
“web” and a “net-work?” Sometimes you’re the fisherman, and sometimes you’re
the fish.
Marci
Calabretta is a Knight Fellow and poetry MFA candidate at Florida
International University. Her work has appeared in American Letters
& Commentary, The MacGuffin,
and other journals. She is Managing Editor of Print Oriented Bastards, Poetry Editor
for Gulf Stream Literary Magazine, and
a contributing editor for The Florida Book Review. Her
chapbook, Last Train to the Midnight Market, was released
from Finishing Line Press in 2013.
Twitter:
@pobastards
Web
Site: www.MarciCalabretta.com
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