What If...

What a week! It has been a crazy few days--but if feels like I've been here all week. I won't lie to my fellow Sigma Tau members--I was a little hesitant about coming to convention this year. Yes, I know. Shocking. If you know me, this won't shock you because I have a problem with new things. I can't think of a time when I tried a new thing and I didn't like it, and this convention is no exception. I do not relish the 8.30am T-Shirt table duty, but then, who really does? :)
Tonight was a brilliant session with Neil Gaiman, who talked about writing, how he writes, and his favorite literary period ('Normally after lunch' was his reply). He talked about fantasy writing and how he would 'steal' story ideas from his daughter's imagination. According to Neil Gaiman, this is the most important question a writer can ask-- What if?
I'll leave you with his words of encouragement for writers: 'As a writer, your job is to day dream.'

A New Kind of Egg Roll

Hi Everyone!

So I've been having a very productive couple of days. Leadership workshops, essay reviews, various panels on relevant topics... a whirlwind of literary wonders. 

Yesterday I was lucky enough to stop for a moment and enjoy a meal with my new friend, Kate. We skipped over to the Japanese steakhouse across the road for not only an amazing dinner, but an incredible show. Our chef, Greg, tossed his knifes and sliced and diced through wildfires. At one point he took out two eggs and began flipping them on his spatula without breaking the shells. He whipped one across the burner, saying, "Anyone order an egg roll?" I love a good hibachi dinner. 

After dinner, Kate and I went to the speaker address with Alexandra Fuller, an incredible creative non-fiction writer. Her dry wit and liberalism accompanied with a dramatic tale was the perfect combination for a smashing speech. Though my favorite part of the evening came when she was signing my copy of Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, she smiled up at me and asked, "Was it you who road in the lift with me?" referencing a story she had told earlier in the evening. "Oh no," I replied (honestly, I wish it had been). Feverishly scribbling her name on the front page, she said, "Oh, the girl on the lift had a pretty smile." 

Today I've been in and out of meetings and panels, discussion groups, and speeches, but what I'm looking forward to is tonight's speaker, Neil Gaiman. So now I'm going to grab a slow bit to eat and mosey my way over to the ballroom for a good seat. 

I'll write again tomorrow before my plane takes off!

-Jackie    

Announcing Our New Student Representative and Assistant Student Representative

During our Eastern Regional Caucus today we elected a new Student Representative, Christopher Wike, from Clarion University, and a new Assistant Student Representative from Alvernia University, Sarah Heckman. We had four wonderful, well-qualified candidates and we are pleased with our new student representation!

Crazy Days

Wow! I've been here for just over 24 hours, and it's amazing how much I've already seen. The workshops this morning were interesting--lots of great ideas on how to get a publication started, and although we already have two journals at Franklin Pierce, and the Rectangle for all Sigma Tau Delta members, I learned a great deal about ways to get publications up and running for the future.

After chairing just two sessions this afternoon, I've heard both wonderful fiction and interesting nonfiction. One of the critical papers in the Hawthorne session focused on differing characterizations of humanity in "The Birth-Mark," and the author's approach was a unique one, using anagram and etymology to classify the characters.

Can't wait for the rest of the conference--reading tomorrow! More from me (and hopefully other FP students) soon to come! Cheers gang! :-)

Landing in Paradise

Hi Everyone!

So when I touched down in Minneapolis this afternoon I was expecting chilly temps. What I wasn't expecting was *snow*. Good thing I brought my winter jacket. Yay for Spring Break!!! 

On that note- Minneapolis is such a wonderful town. For dinner I took a stroll to the near by Jazz Bar, Dakota's. Great food, fun atmosphere! I definitely recommend it to my fellow convention go-ers. After dinner, I attended the NEHS speaker presentation, none other than my high school author crush... Chris Crutcher. (See below)

I was so excited to hear him speak again. He spoke at my high school when I was a sophomore, and although it's been five years since I've seen him, I still feel like that dazed and confused sophomore sitting in the front row (just not as confused). It was a real treat to hear him speak again. 

Tomorrow the real fun kicks off though! So I'm going to get a jump start on my beauty sleep. 

Night friends!

-Jackie

The Regent is in Minneapolis

Good morning all! I arrived yesterday afternoon via Southwest. You'll love the hotel and the conference program looks great! There's a real sense of excitement here and I can't wait for you all to arrive. Minneapolis is a lively, exciting city (and so is St. Paul, just across the river), so be prepared to do some exploring. oh, and one special heads up -- in the program you'll notice a workshop with poet Gary Dop -- this is going to be a real workshop, not just a meet and greet so all you aspiring poets should make time to attend. Looking forward to seeing you all here soon!

Pleased to meet you- hope you guessed my name

Hey everyone,

I'm Jackie, the student president of the Alpha Pi Iota chapter from The Ohio State University. I can't wait for the conference on Wednesday! This will be my first Sigma Tau Delta conference and I'm very excited to hear all the speakers and presentations, and meet students and professors for other chapters. 

I'd like to introduce myself (and my chapter) before the conference. Installed last October, the Alpha Pi Iota chapter has 27 members and one chapter sponsor.   

Inductions of the Alpha class 

Alpha Pi Iota chapter, The Ohio State University 

 Some of the events we've held have been a campus wide book drive in the fall with Booksfirst!, a non-profit organization, a personal statement workshop for students applying to graduate school, and tutoring with nearby elementary schools through a Columbus community program Hilliard CARES. 

Though none of my fellow members will be joining me, I wish them all a safe and relaxing spring break! I'll write again when I land so check back for updates and keep reading!

- Jackie