Malaga Island and the Daunting Task of Historical Fiction

I have hesitantly taken on a new and intimidating venture: historical fiction. Oscar Wilde said, "Anybody can make history; only a great man can write it." History is scary, but it is also one of my favorite things. I am fascinated by stories of the past. The simultaneous simplicity and complication, the beauty and horror. It started with Laura Ingalls Wilder, and has remained a life long love.

I have recently been captivated by the mysterious history of Malaga Island. Malaga is off the coast of Phippsburg, ME. In 1912 the Maine government evicted the 45 people who were living on the island. This move was spurred on by economic strife, eugenics and racial prejudice, according to most of the experts in the field. The Maine State Museum is opening a new exhibit about Malaga on the 19th of May and I can't wait.

Since most of my closest friends are probably tired of hearing me talk about Malaga I won't include more details, but Malaga: A Story Best Left Untold is a good website about it, with an interesting radio documentary.

Anyone else felt the terrifying exhilaration of historical fiction before?

Chester College

As many of you already know I plan to attend Chester College of New England in New Hampshire this fall. I began the application process last fall and was accepted into their creative writing program with a scholarship that would cover a large portion of my tuition.

I did not grow up with money and do not have a family that can support me financially with my education so that scholarship was a true blessing. Without it I would not be able to afford a private education.

My girlfriend and I traveled down to New Hampshire a few weeks ago to see the campus. We met a few of the professors and some students, both former and current. We explored the campus, a perfect and picturesque collection of farmhouses that have been converted into classrooms and art labs. We also began hunting for rental property further south. Everything seemed to finally be falling into place.

Yesterday we heard some devastating news. Chester College is suffering some severe financial issues and is attempting to raise money in order to keep the campus open. The website has more information about what is going on there. There is a benefit this weekend to help raise money for the school which will feature readings from a few authors, including Steve Almond.

I am quite nervous right now. I believe in the strength behind this school and its message. I believe that this school will not only further my education, but also my career as a writer. However, in today's economic world financial issues are not uncommon in small liberal arts colleges and this is not an isolated case. This school only matriculates around 200 students at a time. That environment is exactly what I want in a school, but in today's world trying to run a school that way is costly and not always successful.

I am hoping and praying that the school is able to raise what money they need this week. I am still planning on going there in the fall and, in the meantime, checking on my backup school and ensuring my paperwork is clear with them just in case. Unfortunately, they don't offer a creative writing program and my major would have to change to English with a focus in writing. We shall see what happens, I suppose...

New Topics and Thinking Like a Writer

Summer is almost here! Which means less writing essays and more blogging. I have been thinking about some new topics.

I have often been told that it isn't enough to just write. You have to think like a writer. To me this means that every situation is a chance to grow as a writer... Even the less than pleasant ones.

A few weeks ago I attended a hockey game. This is an activity at the top of my list of least favorites, right up there with cleaning the bathroom and shopping for bras. However, a special kid I know really wanted to go, so I took this opportunity to grow as a writer.

By the time I left the game my small notepad was filled with notes. Observe everything, right? The sticky floors (I don't dare ask what is on the bottom of my shoes now) and the drunken fans. I noted the energy in the room and wrote about the greasy food. Most importantly, though, I experienced something new. Something I may one day describe in a piece of fiction. All of these experiences are stores away for future use.

That's thinking like a writer.

My niece

Did You Think I Was Gone?

I haven't blogged in how long? I don't even know...

I also don't know where to begin on that... so I won't. Let's talk about something else.

Getting published. I've been thinking a lot about the work involved in publishing a book. I have finished my book. Or the majority of it. It's in the editing process right now. Now I'm at the "what the hell do I do with it?" step.

Putting yourself out there for rejection is nerve-wracking enough. This time it's even worse. This book is personal. Incredibly personal. And IF I even got a bite on it from a publisher, if ANYONE thought it was worth publishing, would I want to put that out there?

Would I want to open up that side of myself? Expose things from inside my soul like that? I'm really not sure.

So instead I have decided to begin with something smaller. I have a short story I am particularly proud of that I am going to start attempting to publish instead. Eventually.

When I get the nerve...

life without facebook

As many of you may know I recently deactivated my facebook account. I am in need of a break. My biggest reason for this is my workload this semester. I am too busy and facebook grants me too many opportunities for distraction. Call this lack of self-control, but without facebook I accomplish so much more.

I also have been writing letters and found great joy in it. I have realized how much useless information about my friends lives I don't need, and the kind of meaningful tidbits they include in letters. This is more fulfilling for me, more enjoyable, and healthier.

Remember when people used to hold class reunions? This was because it was fun to meet up with the people we knew when we were kids. At the time those people easily walked out of our lives at the appropriate closing of their chapter and years later would pop back in for a cameo.

With facebook those chapters never close. People remain in our lives, even when they are no longer good for us or healthy for us. This can be subtle. You may not even think about who is hovering over your life, reading the things you post and finding meanings where they don't exist. I'm sure this works differently for some but for me it has caused a form of social stagnation. I have people I should have let go of long ago still hovering around my facebook, throwing opinions that may have worked for the person I used to be, but not now.

I still hold a special place in my heart for these people. They were pivotal in creating who I am today. But when it's time to let go I need to be able to walk away without facebook "suggesting" I be friends with them again.

And of course I am truly grateful for my longtime friends who are still healthy for me. Those who write letters with me, and have managed to grow right alongside me over the years.

In the meantime, life without facebook is relatively peaceful. I find myself putting down my computer and my ipad to pick up a book or write a letter. I am realizing how little it matters who is posting what. And if I need a social networking fix I still have G+ and Twitter.

Homework and Letter Writing

Of course the semester I decide to take on a letter writing challenge is also the semester my workload doubles. Between freelance writing, work, homework assignments and letter writing it's a wonder I ever breathe. It's also a wonder my hand hasn't frozen around a pen. However, It's day four and so far I have written at least one letter every day. Doing good! Today I even got ambitious enough to pull out my wax seal for a card I'm sending off to my baby sister.

Don't think I'm complaining about my busy life. I love to be busy. I love a full schedule. Every once in awhile it's nice to stop and take a break, but most of the time I enjoy rapid pace. Keeps my mind working which gives me something to write about.

And amongst all of this busy time inspiration hit and I've begun another book. This one is a series of short stories based around one large event in a relatively small town, told through the eyes of different people within the town. I realized my issue with completing a book is that - like most of modern America - I have a relatively short attention span. Once I'm familiar with a narrator I tend to grow bored with them. So this book is through the eyes of a few different narrators and maybe it'll hold my attention better.

Tonight I am off in search of thai food and good stationary paper. We'll see what I come up with.

P.S. If you're not already on my list for letters and you want to be drop me an email kcouchkent@gmail.com