Ink and Beans

"Chicky and Eggy" is post-modern and smu...

2012-02-15T13:11:26.393-05:00

"Chicky and Eggy" is post-modern and smug?

Clearly I don't feel as ashamed by this letter as I should.

Chicky and eggy?...seems like post modern, smug, c...

2012-02-15T12:16:28.529-05:00

Chicky and eggy?...seems like post modern, smug, cutesy ploy at approval...just be real...writing sample is key

Can u post your writing sample?

2012-02-12T19:41:45.898-05:00

Can u post your writing sample?

Hey Jim, this is a remarkable story. It is amazing...

2012-02-08T09:01:39.039-05:00

Hey Jim, this is a remarkable story. It is amazing to see you try to help these kids in multiple aspects of their lives. I'm glad Emmanuel's surgery went well and that he can live a happier life. Being the first time I have visted your website, I've enjoyed seeing your volunteering and work in Tanzania. Looking forward to reading more. -Rami Okasha

Hey Jim, I think it really cool that you that you ...

2012-02-07T16:43:38.213-05:00

Hey Jim, I think it really cool that you that you were with Emanuel for his surgery and am surprised at the 27 dollar cost. On a different note your hairstyle seems to have changed since the past. I guess its shorter now. It was interesting seeing your blog and your adventures in Tanzania! -Paymon Abtahi

It is interesting to hear from a writer about the ...

2012-02-07T15:53:46.539-05:00

It is interesting to hear from a writer about the writing process. As for me and many of my more technically inclined friends, writing is a means to an end, an objective that need to be completed quickly while still getting the job done. Prose on the other hand, is much more organic, and as you put, takes on life of its own. From this I can only assume something that takes life must be given time to grow, and I encourage you to be patient, and allow the gifts you know you have to speak. Good luck with all your future writing endeavors!

I find it very interesting that you are so dedicat...

2012-02-07T15:27:52.228-05:00

I find it very interesting that you are so dedicated to these boys and I can tell that they mean the world to you. I hope that I will one day feel such dedication to an organization such as this. It's so great that you are able to send these boys to school and they are getting so much out of their different lives, I am sure. And in class tomorrow, I will be sure to introduce myself to Ozzy. You're right, it was incredibly rude of me. But thanks to that, I now learned about this.

I've been to Arusha and seen doppelgangers of ...

2012-02-02T11:04:41.309-05:00

I've been to Arusha and seen doppelgangers of the children in these photos. Author, have you been admitted to an MFA program yet? It seems the selectivity statistics are daunting, to say the least. I think I'll have better luck with the few MFAs in Spanish creative writing. Thanks in advance for the update.

Hey Mari! That's a very fair question, with a...

2012-01-27T10:22:12.721-05:00

Hey Mari! That's a very fair question, with a simple answer. At the facility where I volunteered, I worked almost exclusively with boys. The female volunteers tended to work with the girls. So the boys are the ones I got to know. I got to know their potential, their current education situation (at the that time), etc. In short, my school sponsorship project focuses on the children I worked with, who all *just happen* to be boys.

I think that, yes, the education opportunities and standards in Tanzania may be different for girls, especially at government schools. But I'm not familiar with the specifics. I do know that the Nakido School (the private school where my boys are going) is co-ed.

Good work-- the proof is in the pudding.

2012-01-27T06:39:15.157-05:00

Good work-- the proof is in the pudding.

Oh, for an edit button to fix "accepted."...

2012-01-27T06:34:56.744-05:00

Oh, for an edit button to fix "accepted."

Nice MFA "purpose" letter, BTW.

Why just boys? Aren't girls worth the time? Or...

2012-01-27T06:29:06.640-05:00

Why just boys? Aren't girls worth the time? Or it is just accpeted practice?

If there are laws against girls being schooled, then I am sure that no amount of education given to a few boys can possibly pull this community out of it's muddy hole. I'm not dissing you, here, I just want to understand.

Peace, Mari

I am so proud of you!

2012-01-25T14:03:03.536-05:00

I am so proud of you!

Getting into a MFA...or not ...being accepted...is...

2012-01-17T12:15:40.928-05:00

Getting into a MFA...or not ...being accepted...isn't going to make much difference...one is either a writer or they are not...and writing is primarily an insular, isolative craft where instincts are key...writers can comment on other writers work...but truthfully...criticism...even when constructive...can be all over the map...and writers are typically selfish are really only concerned with their own work...its only in the last fifty years that workshops,mfa programs, etc have blossomed...that being said...those into fiction can benefit from workshops where, unlike poetry, storylines and character development are broad enough topics that feelings aren't hurt and suggestions can be implemented...

mfa programs feed a dual need...first...they feed ...

2012-01-17T11:58:27.465-05:00

mfa programs feed a dual need...first...they feed off a writers need for reinforcement and fear of rejection....second...there is an elitist, ego driven need which is fulfilled by acceptance into a so called top program...talent is talent...and with most top 50 programs at less than %5 acceptance....its really no more than a numbers game...which is why I focused on lesser known programs with a one in four chance

Don't fret

2012-01-17T11:51:18.565-05:00

Don't fret

Hey Jim, I know this is an old post by now, but I...

2011-12-13T13:08:31.571-05:00

Hey Jim,

I know this is an old post by now, but I was wondering if I could get a copy of your writing sample too? I only realized that I wanted to do a graduate program in Creative Writing last month after I had been traveling Europe and thinking about my goals. So now I'm playing catch up and preparing my manuscript this month. I wish I had more time to prepare and do my research. I'm nervous and trying to get past my nervousness induced writers block. Help please? My email is joanneyao@yahoo.com. Thank you :)

Thanks for the list. The King's Speech was ou...

2011-08-02T03:44:43.373-04:00

Thanks for the list. The King's Speech was outstanding.

Brilliant. Favorites include: 127 Hours and King&#...

2011-06-24T11:26:40.479-04:00

Brilliant. Favorites include: 127 Hours and King's Speech.

Thanks Shivam!

2011-06-15T16:01:55.342-04:00

Thanks Shivam!

I love this one - "This is just a dream. So ...

2011-06-15T04:57:23.592-04:00

I love this one -

"This is just a dream.
So is this. And this. And this.
Ponder. Watch again."

:)

-Shivam Tiwari
(http://thoughtdetonation.blogspot.com)

Thanks Adam! Now you know where to look for synop...

2011-06-06T16:46:23.941-04:00

Thanks Adam! Now you know where to look for synopses on next year's nominees.

If I had known I could have read these haiku to un...

2011-06-01T12:56:19.718-04:00

If I had known I could have read these haiku to understand the movies, I might have saved myself a good deal of time...

Seriously, thank you so much. All of your material...

2011-05-06T10:02:10.885-04:00

Seriously, thank you so much. All of your materials have been tremendously helpful! Where did you end up deciding to go? Best of luck to you!

Thanks for being so helpful, you've really hel...

2011-04-17T13:59:36.073-04:00

Thanks for being so helpful, you've really helped me find some sense of direction for the application prep process I will shortley be engaged in. Would it be possible to see your writing sample that got you in?

mds2179@uncw.edu

I've re-vamped mine about a million times and still find I'm lacking in confidence. I would love to see one that has been accepted :)