Meet Isabel Walsh, our new Fiction I instructor
If you’re new to Redbud, or new to our fiction offerings, look no further than Isabel Walsh’s Fiction I class, which starts next week! Isabel, an NC State MFA graduate and all-around wonderful writer and teacher, will be leading this Fiction I course on Zoom, on Monday nights. Read on to learn all about her!
What's a great book you read recently?
The Round House, by Louise Erdrich
Do you have a writing ritual? Share it with us!
I open my windows to hear the birds or put on some nature sounds, or creepy music compilations, depending on what I’m writing. Sometimes I burn sage if my brain and desk feel cluttered. Often I’ll revisit materials that inspired my to write a story or novel: illustrations I’ve done, or a song that gave me an idea. And then I make sure all my browsers windows are tucked away so I can’t see them, and I make myself start writing and keep going.
What's the best and/or worst piece of writing advice you ever received?
Best: Work like a farmer. Writing is not always precious. (credit to Elizabeth Gilbert for that piece of wisdom)
Worst: it was unspoken, but the message was, Your writing has to look a certain way (cerebral and moody, etc.) for it to be “good.”
What's your favorite topic to teach in creative writing classes? Can you give us a sneak peak of a writing exercise or activity that you'll be teaching?
I love to talk about character and voice. In class, we’ll look at some widely differing examples of narrative voices and discuss how we react to them, and then how those voices are achieved. Here’s an example, from George Saunders’ “Victory Lap”:
“Three days shy of her fifteenth birthday, Alison Pope paused at the top of the stairs.
Say the staircase was marble. Say she descended and all heads turned. Where was {special one}? Approaching now, bowing slightly, he exclaimed, How can so much grace be contained in one small package? Oops. Had he said small package? And just stood there? Broad princelike face totally bland of expression? Poor thing! Sorry, no way, down he went, he was definitely not {special one}.”
Oh, how I love Alison Pope, but even more I love how Saunders gets us inside her head. How does he achieve her internal voice? What do you feel or think in responding to it? We’ll talk about all these things in my workshop.
When you're not writing, what do you like to do?
I love playing music, growing herbs and tomatoes, playing with my furry pets, and walking in the woods.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Just that I love teaching, and talking with people. I’m so grateful for the chance to lead a Redbud workshop and get to know some of you in the community. Having more human contact will be lovely during a time when I’m mostly at home!
Sign up for Isabel’s class here!