First-term advisor

Rita Williams-Garcia, one of my workshop leaders, is my advisor for my first semester. I think she'll be excellent.

This morning all of her advisees met (there are five of us, including three first-term students) to learn more about her expectations for the semester.

We'll be expected to submit five packets during the semester, starting with a February 6 due date for the first packet and then one packet a month through June. The packet will contain about 20 pages of new writing (12 pt., double space) and (for us first-term folks) two essays of two to three pages. Each time at least one essay has to be a critical essay, which I interpret as a more scholarly/literary analysis piece. The other essay can be a discussion of craft.

After the first packet we'll be adding about 20 pages of revised material, for a maximum total of 40 pages of creative work in each packet.

In addition to the essays and creative work, we're supposed to write her a letter that tells how the writing's going, asks any questions we have, and discusses the books we've read.

We also have to develop a bibliography that I think gets turned in with the last packet. She expects us to read at least 100 books this semester. I tried not to choke on that. I bet I didn't read 100 books all last year. But she's counting books that we may not read completely, like books on craft, which I suppose helps a little. I've read lots of craft books. Mainly she wants us to read in the genre we'll be working in.

I have a one-on-one meeting with her Tuesday to discuss my semester plan. I need to come up with a list of books I'd like to read by then.