Brian Koppelman and David Levien, the duo who brought us classics like Rounders, A Solitary Man, and The Illusionist, came to Butler last week to share their trade secrets with our community. Koppelman and Levien gave an extended Q&A, led by Butler fiction professor Dan Barden. They discussed writing for the screen, figuring out how to do a job after saying you’ll do it, and the dynamics of writing as a team. Levien, who has written a series of detective novels, also spoke about the literary publishing world.
You can learn more about Koppelman and Levien in this classic Bill Simmons interview.
MFA Student Profile: Austin Boling
Throughout the year, we’ll be getting to know some of Butler’s new MFA students. Recently, we sat down with first year poetry student Austin Boling to see how he was acclimating to life in the midwest.
Where did you grow up? Where did you study before coming to Butler?
I grew up in Batesville, Mississippi, and attended Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
What made you decide to come to Butler instead of all the other MFA programs out there?
What attracted me to Butler’s MFA is how small and close-knit the community seemed, as opposed to other programs; having attended a community college in rural Mississippi and a smaller private University during my undergrad years, it’s where I find myself to be the most comfortable and productive.
What’s been your reaction to the city of Indianapolis thus far?
I’m not in the South anymore.
What classes are you taking right now?
EN-503, Poetry Workshop, and EN-501, Teaching Creative Writing.
What’s impressed you most about the Butler MFA program?
How seemingly small of a program it is, yet a rapidly growing one at the same time. Also, the visiting writing series.
What was the last book you read and really loved?
Alex Lemon’s collection of poetry, The Wish Book.
Carl Phillips Joins as Fall Poet in Residence
Decorated poet Carl Phillips spent a good chunk of last week at Butler, mentoring writers, giving readings, and visiting classes. Phillips, a professor of English at Washington University in St. Louis, read students’ work and conferenced with them throughout his visit.
Phillips also gave a reading and Q&A, where he discussed motivation, writerly discipline, and his earnest belief that “Kramer vs. Kramer” was secretly a sequel to “The Graduate.” Phillips, who is the current judge of the famed Yale Series of Younger Poets Prize, is one of the most important living writers of verse. Your loyal blogger had the opportunity to interview him in advance of his visit. You can find that here.
Carl Phillips Joins as Fall Poet in Residence
Decorated poet Carl Phillips spent a good chunk of last week at Butler, mentoring writers, giving readings, and visiting classes. Phillips, a professor of English at Washington University in St. Louis, read students’ work and conferenced with them throughout his visit.
Phillips also gave a reading and Q&A, where he discussed motivation, writerly discipline, and his earnest belief that “Kramer vs. Kramer” was secretly a sequel to “The Graduate.” Phillips, who is the current judge of the famed Yale Series of Younger Poets Prize, is one of the most important living writers of verse. Your loyal blogger had the opportunity to interview him in advance of his visit. You can find that here.
Kaui Hart Hemmings Visits Butler
Award-winning novelist Kaui Hart Hemmings visited Butler last week. Known for The Descendants, her first novel, which also had a wildly successful film adaptation starring George Clooney, Hemmings has also published House of Thieves, a book of short stories, and The Possibilities, a novel.
During her visit, Hemmings advised that writers must learn to “wallow” and “embrace rejection.” She discussed the importance of a writer trusting their voice as a mechanism by which to strengthen tone. During her reading, she shared from The Possibilities and graciously answered audience questions.
Kaui Hart Hemmings Visits Butler
Award-winning novelist Kaui Hart Hemmings visited Butler last week. Known for The Descendants, her first novel, which also had a wildly successful film adaptation starring George Clooney, Hemmings has also published House of Thieves, a book of short stories, and The Possibilities, a novel.
During her visit, Hemmings advised that writers must learn to “wallow” and “embrace rejection.” She discussed the importance of a writer trusting their voice as a mechanism by which to strengthen tone. During her reading, she shared from The Possibilities and graciously answered audience questions.