Annotations and more annotations

Since I'm the first of us to start and I've already been tasked with things, I have to share how hard it is to annotate.

First, of course, I'm really reticent to say things like: have you even thought of a complete rewrite?

More often than not, if I find a logical flaw in my work, I'm all over rewriting completely, but if you don't know me, it probably comes off as meaner than intended. So I attack a couple of things that I find myself thinking about in my own work.

A teacher friend of mine told me to pick only two things because if I attack more it appears like a personal attack, even if it isn't.

So I have to posit this question to the group: how much criticism is too much? Should you reserve careful reading and annotation only to those people you know and love? And if you find the premise of the work to be offensive simply on the face of it, how do you even start to approach that?

decision: made.

Well, after a very long spring, as Tanya and Erika know, I finally made my own decision about the creative writing MFA: I will be attending the University of Minnesota. It's a three year program with a TAship--this means tuition waiver, health insurance, and a stipend. Whew. (I'll get to teach literature, composition, and creative writing to college kids! Wait... wasn't I just one myself?)

My other choices had been: FSU, Emerson, Bennington, Vermont College, Pacific University, Antioch, Stonecoast, New England College, Alaska, and Goddard. A lot of great adventures in these other universities and schools, but the U of MN made the most sense for me.

I hope this spring is treating you all well. Here, we had a snow day yesterday, and it has melted mostly, leaving muck for the dogs to trail in. I saw Mary Oliver on Sunday night and was completely enamored. Matthea Harvey and Mary Jo Bang are also coming out during poetry month, among others, and I think on Saturday I'm going to Alex Lemon's book release party. Plenty of fun to be had in the cold of the Midwest!

Missing you all.

xox

Where I'm headed this year...

Off to Bennington for the MFA program, it seems. Got the phone call Monday and I've never been quite so pleased that what I want and what I need seem to align themselves.

Getting out of my own way has never felt so good.

Hello

Hello all! I would like for you to take a moment and visit either of these two blogs I am now working on. They are a great way to be informed about the Miami community and also stay involved with your own.
http://jesswritez.blogspot.com/
http://imcreativeimpact.blogspot.com/

Take a look at the website for Imagine Miami, a non- profit organization, and find out ways to improve your community. http://www.imaginemiami.org/
Hope all is well and feel free to contact me with any questions.

-Jessica Gomez

minnesota book awards: reader's choice

Hello all:

Just wanted to point out the Minnesota Book Awards' Readers Choice voting is going on all through March. While I don't want to sway you, the reason why I know about this is because my friend Eireann Lorsung's music for landing planes by has been nominated. I encourage you to go and vote; I think a book of poetry, be it hers or someone else's, ought to win out this year!

All you have to do is click here and scroll down to vote!

my tally, too :)

In:
- Emerson (early Feb, by mail)
- Goddard (mid Feb, by phone)
- New England College (mid Feb, by phone)
- Vermont College (mid Feb, by phone)
- Pacific University (today, by mail)
- Florida State University (today, by phone)

poetry and poems

i heard back from new england
i got in!
havent heard back from the other two, my fingers
are crossed...
heres a poem thats still a draft...
xoxo
e

Fairytale Wedding

I am in a violet wedding dress with bullet holes
something seems out of place
Everyone else are wearing caps and gowns

There’s an audience applauding no one
Mother and Father are dressed in Sunday’s
finest; there’s a stain of something
resembling split pea soup
on Father’s tie

I try saying I think we are supposed
to be at the church at seven
but raspberry bubbles come out of my eyes
my mouth is sewn shut with licorice sticks
the color of my grandmothers cheeks
when she was seventeen, a raven haired vixen
from the old country, getting fat on ice cream and love

She will teach you her secrets–
how to make a man fall for you
Lust, she will tell you is the trick
Make him desire you, and cook your way into his soul

The groom is headless
and he’s not wearing any socks
The maid of honor is fucking your brother
It’s almost June
grandmother says, You look a little rosy
a little plumper and juicy, I could almost eat you up
I want to stick that beautiful bouquet of calla lilies up her ass

Run away before my life is over
this is not a fairytale
He is not the one