Featured Senior 2024: An Interview With Jessie Jimenez

Senior Jessie Jimenez is the winner of the 2024 Excellence Award in Literature and the first place winner of the Undergraduate Fiction award for her piece “The Mortician!”

by Katie Clark

Firstly, congrats on your winning submission! Have you ever submitted work to Analecta or any other forum in the past?

Thank you! This was my first Analecta submission and my first publication!

Nice! How did you choose the topic for your submission?

I’m a big fan of ghost stories and scary movies, so I was inspired to write something in that genre. I came up with the idea for “The Mortician” a couple of years ago, but it wasn’t until I took a creative writing class last year that I finished it.

What does this win mean to you?

This win means a lot to me. I really struggle with creative writing and have never considered myself a writer, but this win helped with my confidence! It also makes me think I could write more in the future.

What are some of your favorite books that inspire you?

This is the most difficult question to answer as an English major! Some of my favorite books of all time include A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, 1984 by George Orwell, Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, and Beautiful World Where Are You? by Sally Rooney. 

What jobs have you had during your time here?

My entire academic career I’ve worked part-time off campus, but I’m also a PubHub editor and have worked as a tutor in the past.

What are some of your fondest memories from your time at IUSB?

I’ve enjoyed all of my classes and meeting wonderful people, both students and staff. One of my fondest memories is representing the German Club by participating in the International Food Festival this semester! We all had a great time making pretzels and experiencing other cultures. I’ve also really enjoyed being a part of the English Club this semester.

Would you like to mention some professors that have made a positive impact on you?

There are two professors I would like to thank for making a big impact on my life. First, I would like to thank Dr. Mattox for always believing in me from the beginning of my journey at IUSB and encouraging me even when I was living across the ocean. I would also like to thank Dr. He for inspiring me to pursue my PhD. Her classes are the reason I want to become an English professor.

What advice do you have for current students?

Take the time to join the many clubs we have here at IUSB! It’s a great way to meet like-minded people and decompress from your studies.

Finally, what are your plans for after graduation?

Next year, I’ll be working on getting my teaching license. From there, I plan to either teach or work as an editor while pursuing my Master’s in English Literature and eventually earn my PhD.

Amazing goals, Jessie! Congratulations on your upcoming graduation and we wish you the very best in your future endeavors!

Student Writing Awards 2024: An Interview With Lexi Martin

Lexi Martin is a graduating senior with a general studies major and is the winner of the first place Nonfiction award for her submission of “Crumbs!”

by Katie Clark

Congrats on your winning submission! Have you ever submitted work to Analecta or any other forum in the past?

Thank you! No, this is the first time my work has been published.

What does this win mean to you?

For me, this win means that even though I have no idea what I am doing with my life after graduating, if I am doing something I am passionate about, I will succeed.

How did you choose the topic for your submission?

My dad committed suicide in September of 2023. I chose to write about his suicide because I had a lot of thoughts and feelings about his death that I was struggled to talk about with my friends and family. I never intended to submit it [and] I wrote it for myself, but when I saw that the Analecta was accepting submissions, I decided to submit it so other people could hear my story.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I enjoy going on hikes, reading, traveling, and spending time with my friends and family!

Nice! What are some of your favorite books?

My favorite books are The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan, The Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost by Rachel Friedman, and Becoming by Michelle Obama.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I would live in Switzerland because of all the beautiful nature and proximity to other countries!

Do you have any advice for current students?

My advice is to not compare yourselves to others! Comparison is a thief of joy. Remember to slow down, and wherever you are in life it’s exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Finally, would you like to mention a professor who has made a positive impact on you during your time here at IUSB?

Dr. Karakastanis has made a huge impact on me! She has pushed me to do better and reach for more since my freshman year. She has been so inspirational, caring, and kind to me in the past 4 years. She is an amazing professor, mentor, and person!

Congratulations again, Lexi! We wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors!

Recommendation Station: The Book of Qualities by J. Ruth Gendler

“In portraying the complexities of the psyche, Gendler uses the Qualities to bridge the distinctions between literature and psychology, and has created an original work that challenges us to look at our emotions in new and inspiring ways.” –from the book description

By Katie Clark

Many writers will say that they credit their inspiration to important people of the day, a favorite childhood bedtime story, or perhaps reading a current best seller. I received my earliest inspiration to become a writer from The Book of Qualities by J. Ruth Gendler. This book has been in my possession since I was eight years old and stumbled upon it in a random auction box-lot. My family attended auctions frequently and to pacify her young children, my mother would allow us to purchase the small lots. Digging through each one was like Christmas; you never knew what you were going to find. When I first opened The Book of Qualities, it opened to The Wind:

“The Wind is a gossip. Not in a malicious way. She just likes to move around and stir things up. She runs through the fire barefoot and has no fear of heights. She carries big blue bowls of rain with her. She plays the flute and loves all kinds of sounds. Her laughter fills the sky. The Wind is a wonderful storyteller. I still remember how she introduced me to the Qualities when I was a child.”

This introduction filled me with such wonderment. The fact that someone could find the essence of something as complex as the wind and apply human qualities to enable understanding was a transformative moment. I find myself returning to this book in times of writer’s block. It’s sheer creativity and imaginative concepts continue to leave me mesmerized and refreshed to begin my task anew. Gendler takes seventy-seven qualities and breathes life into each one, giving them human emotions and small quirks that fit their personality. Occasionally Gendler will introduce another quality and creatively allows them to interact with each other. I highly recommend this literary work of art to anyone who is in need of creative inspiration!

According to HarperCollins, J. Ruth Gendler was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska and received her bachelor of arts degree in English and Communication from Stanford University in 1977.

Inkanddescent Women Magazine highlights her art, creative writing, and impact she has had in over twenty-five years of teaching. She has written and published multiple books including The Book of Qualities, Changing Light, and Notes on the Need for Beauty.

You can visit her website here:
www.ruthgendler.com.