Those two semesters working with you set me on my slow, but steady, course. Even tonight, I'm teaching a class called "Conflict and Desire" and will credit the Doug Glover method as the foundation for everything they'll be learning about narrative structure. Beyond your wonderful teaching, you always made me feel seen in the best way. I will be publishing my first novel in July. It's got Copula Spiders crawling all over it, and I thank you for that. Here's to your long and wonderful career at VCFA and all the good stuff ahead.
Thank you for these memories! My first residency was in the summer, several years before you. I arrived to dozens of people embracing and all asking in the exact same happy tone of voice, "How was your semester?" I thought, OMG, this is a cult and I thought about turning around the getting the hell out of there. I quickly became a committed cult member. I miss it - and you all.
Diane, You've been on my mind. All these things keep coming up. The monkey story! Your contributions to the magazine. I'll write another one of these next week, and maybe another. It was a cult, a pretty happy cult, once upon a time.
"Hiding the Talisker from Tom" was one of the staff sports. Of course, often the last person who hid it forgot where it was, which necessitated hunting up the petty cash box, also kept hidden because no one trusted anyone with the petty cash, especially me.
Loved reading this. I also arrived in or just after a storm, making my way to the office through snow, and seeing Fred Ziemann and no one else. (No beard Icicles, I don't think, but just as welcoming a presence.) Please do share more memories. I very much miss VC. And I understand about endings, too. Finishing my show soon, after fifteen years and over 550 interviews. I think you were in a few of them! Much love and a big hug to you, Doug. Not an easy decision for you, I'm sure.
Shelagh, so good of you to write. Yeah, all these things come to an end. Having been through a lot of endings, I find them pretty bearable, even kind of fun. But 550 interviews is a LOT!
I remember when we first met I stuck my tongue out at you (before I knew you were from Canada). You from here, living there. Me from there, living here. We kind of cancelled each other out. I cracked up when I saw you lugging a corduroy husband pillow (husbandry pillow? I scoffed) to your car. But I have one now. All the best writers do. Happy trails, dg
I am honored to be included (and hyperlinked, ha) in these memories. You remain the best teacher I've ever had. When people ask me how I was able to write my first novel so young, I tell them that Doug Glover dared me to quit, so I had to finish it. ;) When students ask if they should request you as their advisor I say: Don't be fooled, he's terrifying but also one of the sweetest, most generous men I've ever known. Best of luck with the next chapter, my friend.
:) That's right. I'd almost forgotten that moment when I told you you could quit. I think I intuited that it would make you so mad you'd get back to work just to spite me. But, really, in the end, a teacher has only so much influence. Your ability to work yourself to the breaking point and then keep going is all your own. I have such profound respect for that.
Just delicious, Douglas. Thank you for conjuring all these legendary people and moments. Sounds so marvelous; but you have a way of bringing out the excitement in anything you touch! A great gift. I am honored to have been part of Numero Cinq (never knew where its name came from!) and to be, somehow, a part of this lineage of scrappy singers. I am hoping that now that you are indigent and abstinent/obstinate you will have a wee bit more time and I can join you for a walk or get you over here for tea....!
Maybe a good name for a book? Have a lovely walk and sometime soon, when you don't mind company, come swoop me up on the way. So glad you are coming to the launch! It is really amazing how the strands of Numero Cinq wove the publication of my book together, as Daniel Davis Wood had read me in NC and Greg Gerke, too, who then encouraged me to submit to Daniel and so, small world of Numero Cinqistic Synchronistic Symphilosophieren!
It was a wonderful time. Remember that first workshop? We walked a long road together. You did great work at NC. Now you're prolific on your own. It's your persistence and work ethic that I've always admired. Most people don't understand that this is the Zen, the Way of writing.
Whoa, that workshop was a tough one, but I also remember how you perked up at the student reading when I started with the opening of my first mystery … “Just before two a.m. on a Friday morning three weeks before he was murdered, Preston Lomax was making a list of all the people who wanted to kill him. It was a long list …” That was an encouraging sign; so was the smile I tricked out of you when I told you that your Drama of Grammar” lecture was “inspiring, but daunting” …. My first conscious but-construction! As for the productivity … it’s hard to take credit for an addiction. Also, to be honest, between VCFA and Numero Cinq, you were and remain the best editor I know and I’ve been red-inked by professionals.
Those two semesters working with you set me on my slow, but steady, course. Even tonight, I'm teaching a class called "Conflict and Desire" and will credit the Doug Glover method as the foundation for everything they'll be learning about narrative structure. Beyond your wonderful teaching, you always made me feel seen in the best way. I will be publishing my first novel in July. It's got Copula Spiders crawling all over it, and I thank you for that. Here's to your long and wonderful career at VCFA and all the good stuff ahead.
Thanks, Sandra. Since you guys were at the beginning of my time at VCFA, I remember you all so well, so fondly.
Thank you for these memories! My first residency was in the summer, several years before you. I arrived to dozens of people embracing and all asking in the exact same happy tone of voice, "How was your semester?" I thought, OMG, this is a cult and I thought about turning around the getting the hell out of there. I quickly became a committed cult member. I miss it - and you all.
Diane, You've been on my mind. All these things keep coming up. The monkey story! Your contributions to the magazine. I'll write another one of these next week, and maybe another. It was a cult, a pretty happy cult, once upon a time.
«I thought I had died and gone to writer heaven.»
NC pulled me through some dark places and pushed me into others (in a good way). I almost figured out where you hid the Talisker…
Thanks for the ride, captain.
"Hiding the Talisker from Tom" was one of the staff sports. Of course, often the last person who hid it forgot where it was, which necessitated hunting up the petty cash box, also kept hidden because no one trusted anyone with the petty cash, especially me.
It was a great ride. Nice to hear from you.
Loved reading this. I also arrived in or just after a storm, making my way to the office through snow, and seeing Fred Ziemann and no one else. (No beard Icicles, I don't think, but just as welcoming a presence.) Please do share more memories. I very much miss VC. And I understand about endings, too. Finishing my show soon, after fifteen years and over 550 interviews. I think you were in a few of them! Much love and a big hug to you, Doug. Not an easy decision for you, I'm sure.
Shelagh, so good of you to write. Yeah, all these things come to an end. Having been through a lot of endings, I find them pretty bearable, even kind of fun. But 550 interviews is a LOT!
Thinking I'll have a party when I finish. You should come. 🥳
Let me know when it's happening. :)
I remember when we first met I stuck my tongue out at you (before I knew you were from Canada). You from here, living there. Me from there, living here. We kind of cancelled each other out. I cracked up when I saw you lugging a corduroy husband pillow (husbandry pillow? I scoffed) to your car. But I have one now. All the best writers do. Happy trails, dg
What an excellent read! I'm so glad such a place and times existed.
It really was a wonderful place and time. I have more to say about it. But, sadly, not so magical of late.
I am honored to be included (and hyperlinked, ha) in these memories. You remain the best teacher I've ever had. When people ask me how I was able to write my first novel so young, I tell them that Doug Glover dared me to quit, so I had to finish it. ;) When students ask if they should request you as their advisor I say: Don't be fooled, he's terrifying but also one of the sweetest, most generous men I've ever known. Best of luck with the next chapter, my friend.
:) That's right. I'd almost forgotten that moment when I told you you could quit. I think I intuited that it would make you so mad you'd get back to work just to spite me. But, really, in the end, a teacher has only so much influence. Your ability to work yourself to the breaking point and then keep going is all your own. I have such profound respect for that.
Wonderful.
Thanks, Tom. More to come.
Just delicious, Douglas. Thank you for conjuring all these legendary people and moments. Sounds so marvelous; but you have a way of bringing out the excitement in anything you touch! A great gift. I am honored to have been part of Numero Cinq (never knew where its name came from!) and to be, somehow, a part of this lineage of scrappy singers. I am hoping that now that you are indigent and abstinent/obstinate you will have a wee bit more time and I can join you for a walk or get you over here for tea....!
"Legendary people." That IS what they seem like to me. Thanks for the phrase.
Maybe a good name for a book? Have a lovely walk and sometime soon, when you don't mind company, come swoop me up on the way. So glad you are coming to the launch! It is really amazing how the strands of Numero Cinq wove the publication of my book together, as Daniel Davis Wood had read me in NC and Greg Gerke, too, who then encouraged me to submit to Daniel and so, small world of Numero Cinqistic Synchronistic Symphilosophieren!
Thanks, Genese. Just so everyone knows, here is the link to your NC page: http://numerocinqmagazine.com/front-page/the-masthead/the-genese-grill-nc-archive-page/
As it happens, I'm heading out to Stranahan with Pancho just now. We're coming to your launch!
A wonderful time. I miss Numero Cinq and I’m very grateful to have it online and intact.
It was a wonderful time. Remember that first workshop? We walked a long road together. You did great work at NC. Now you're prolific on your own. It's your persistence and work ethic that I've always admired. Most people don't understand that this is the Zen, the Way of writing.
http://numerocinqmagazine.com/front-page/the-masthead/the-steven-axelrod-nc-archive-page/
Everyone, Steven is a former student who has gone on to publish an armload of books. Look him up.
Whoa, that workshop was a tough one, but I also remember how you perked up at the student reading when I started with the opening of my first mystery … “Just before two a.m. on a Friday morning three weeks before he was murdered, Preston Lomax was making a list of all the people who wanted to kill him. It was a long list …” That was an encouraging sign; so was the smile I tricked out of you when I told you that your Drama of Grammar” lecture was “inspiring, but daunting” …. My first conscious but-construction! As for the productivity … it’s hard to take credit for an addiction. Also, to be honest, between VCFA and Numero Cinq, you were and remain the best editor I know and I’ve been red-inked by professionals.
I've taught at four residencies. What delicious memories.
Thank you, Terese. We talked about this once. Somehow we never quite overlapped at VCFA residencies. We have {almost}-shared memories.