Posts Tagged "Spry"
Behind the Words: Kevin Brown
Kevin Brown is a Professor of English at Lee University. He has published two full-length collections of poems, A Lexicon of Lost Words, (2013; Winner of the Violet Reed Haas Prize for Poetry) and Exit Lines (2009); two chapbooks: Abecedarium (2011) and Holy Days: Poems (winner of the 2011 Split Oak Press Chapbook Contest); and a memoir, Another Way: Finding Faith, Then Finding It Again (2012). He has also published a scholarly work They Love to Tell the Story: Five Contemporary Authors Take on the Gospels (2012) with Kennesaw State University Press, in addition to critical articles on Kurt Vonnegut, Ralph Ellison, John Barth, and Tony Earley. He received a Ph.D in...
Read MoreBehind the Words: Krysta Voskowsky
Krysta Voskowsky contributed her essay “When She Closes Her Eyes” to Spry’s “Beanstalks” section, which provided a space for writers to explore their reactions in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing. Krysta’s piece is one that is sure to stay with the reader: it is raw, it is brave, and it is vivid. Krysta is earning her MFA from Emerson College, and she blogs here and also for NoshOn.It. She is currently at work on her memoir. Julia: “When She Closes Her Eyes” was written following the Boston Marathon bombings and is constructed in such a unique way that with each reread something new is discovered. So much emotional ground is covered in...
Read MoreAt the Intersection of Art and Commerce
-by Christine Hale Generations of writers have arrived at this crossroads. Agents, editors, mentors, or peers sagely instruct them, Keep at least one eye on the market. Know what sells. These days that seasoned wisdom comes with a corollary: Do everything you can to build your brand. This is not bad advice. But it is one-size-fits-all advice. There are writers, young and not-so-young, who are good at brand-building. Some of them enjoy doing so. Those with this sensibility and this talent will build a brand, create saleable product, and may experience commercial success. Those who don’t build brands, those who can only craft something beautiful or...
Read MoreBehind the Words: Christine Hale
Christine Hale’s essay, “Milk” is a complex journey. In this small essay—or more appropriately, flash essay—Christine moves her readers through small, quiet scenes that evoke emotions beyond what is written. She has mastered the ability to keep her writing calm but strong, simple but intentional. She was kind enough to answer some questions regarding her craft, her use of symbolism, and what brought her to write this captivating essay. Zac: What made you decide to go in the direction of a collaged memoir? How do you think that changes the experience for the reader? Do you think there any...
Read MorePractical Creative Writing
I’ve been working with Spry for almost a year now, and it’s really starting to hit me what sheer mass of creative talent there is out there. I love reading your submissions (the damn near hundreds of them), and while some of them are weird, some are funny, and some heartbreaking, each submission seems to reserve a special attention for form and craft. At my school, the writing program focuses mostly on the more practical technical and business writing, or journalism (though I’ve certainly got that novel I’ve been workin’ on). But I’m finding that whether it be producing copy, drafting essays, developing user documents, or researching...
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