Featured Senior: Bobby Simons

"Don’t be afraid to explore and find new things! Join clubs, do extra-curricular activities, and participate in everything you can." - Bobby Simons

By Natasha O'Hara

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what sorts of things you’ve been involved in at IUSB.

I am a double major in English and Theatre at IU South Bend. With IU South Bend’s Theatre Department, I have acted in 5 plays, was a member of the stage management crew for 2 plays, and directed 1 play. I also was a part of 2 student-made productions, one of which I wrote, directed, and acted in. 

As for the English half of my major, I have of course submitted several stories and scenes to IU South Bend’s Analecta, some of which I’ve even won awards for. I have also written reviews for the Wolfson Press. I am also a member of the Film Studies Club, and will be participating in their upcoming trip to Los Angeles where we will tour the city and interview screenwriters. 

Outside of that, I have also served as a peer mentor for both FYS and the Guided Pathways Academy, in addition to being a part of the Honors Program. 

What inspired you to pursue both of your degrees?

I’ve always loved language and finding ways to use it. Theatre is a great outlet for creativity, allowing me to collaborate with others to make real something that isn’t, and in general is just a fun activity to do with friends! Theatre and English go hand in hand, as through the study of language, one learns to communicate, while the main purpose of theatre is to communicate something. By combining these two degrees, I have learned not only how to tell stories, but how to create them. 

How has your understanding of literature and language evolved since starting college? What aspects of English do you hope to continue exploring after graduation?

Throughout college I have come to understand the versatility of literature and language, and its practical applications. When starting out, I was always told that finding a solid career with my given choice of major was unrealistic. At the time, I admit that I conceded they were probably right, but didn’t care because the most important thing for me was doing what I was interested in. After four years of college; however, I’ve realized that writing is not reserved solely for entertainment, but truly we rely on language to survive. Following graduation, I hope to explore all avenues of writing, from creative to professional.

Can you share a memorable experience from your time at IUSB?

One time, in a dance class my sophomore year, we had a push-up contest and I won. I was given some Peeps as a reward, but didn’t eat them because I think Peeps are kind of gross, so I gave them to a friend. They thought Peeps were gross too, but there was nothing they could do about it.

What advice do you have for current students?

Don’t be afraid to explore and find new things! Join clubs, do extra-curricular activities, and participate in everything you can. You don’t make friends and/or lasting connections through classes alone, or well I’ve heard some people do, but I don’t think those people are real. Especially for those who commute, getting involved on campus is the easiest way to make friends. In short, if you’re not willing to go out of the way for anything, the best you’re going to get is the bare minimum.

Can you tell us about any favorite classes? Are there any professors that have been an influential part of your academic career?

I think some of my favorite classes included: Jazz Dance, Costume Crafts, Computer Art and Design I, and Screenwriting. I don’t think I’ve had a single professor who hasn’t had some kind of impact on me, and they have all influenced me in distinct ways. Those who have had the most specific influence include Aimee Cole, whose flexibility and inventiveness have made class in the costume shop comfortable despite my intense fear of sewing machines; Karen Pajor, whose unrivaled positivity and energy is contagious in all the best ways; Kelcey Ervick, who is a great creative writer and a great teacher of creative writing (and no, I’m not just saying that because I know she will be reading this); and finally Elaine Roth, who has set up so many great opportunities for me as a student and someone interested in screenwriting.

What are your plans for after graduation?

Great question. As mentioned, I will be going to Los Angeles with the Film Club, and I am also taking a study abroad trip to Germany this summer. I am super excited for both of these trips, especially considering I really haven’t traveled at all since I’ve been in college. After that I plan to take some time to do pretty much anything but school for a while, as that school has pretty much defined my whole life for the past 15 years. When the time is right, unless I’ve found something else I like, I’ll plan on continuing my education by pursuing a masters degree in English. In any case, I’m more than optimistic for whatever my future holds!

Is there anything that you would’ve changed or done differently given the opportunity?

For a while I was interested in getting a minor in Spanish. I enjoy learning languages, and thought it’d be a good idea to add that to my degree, but to do so, I would have had to take on a ridiculous course load each semester if I still wanted to graduate on time, and so it wasn’t really feasible. Thinking about it, I guess then since minoring in Spanish wasn’t possible, it doesn’t truly answer the question, as I really couldn’t have done anything differently there. On second thought, what I would’ve done differently is not get Peeps after winning the push-up contest. 

What inspired you to write bland theft, and did you plan on changing the name for the full one act, or did that come later?)

I was inspired to write the scene in question, and the full one act as a whole by various sources. I wanted to combine comedic and dramatic elements to tell a story that was equally absurd as it was sympathetic. As for the name change from Odd One Out (the name of the original play), that was to avoid breaking any rules for Analecta submissions. I had tried to do a lot of advertising for Odd One Out as I was preparing to have it performed, and my name was very clearly attached to it. Given that Analecta selections are supposed to be made anonymously, I decided to change the name in the effort of preserving anonymity. Bland Theft was simply the first alternate title I came up with.

What does the English excellence award mean to you? 

I am incredibly honored to receive the English excellence award! I am so grateful to this department for everything it has instilled in me as a student of English literature and writing. This award is a great source of validation, and something I will cherish as I look back on my time here.

Student Writing Awards 2024: An Interview with Missy Hatfield

Missy won first place in the Graduate Non-Fiction category for her piece “Legacy: A Life in Ten Items or Less.” Congratulations, Missy!

INTERVIEWED BY AUBREN KUBICKI

Student Awards winner Missy Hatfield

What does winning this award mean to you?

I feel very honored to receive this award. The support and encouragement of the IUSB writing community has been very inspirational as I complete the requirements for my degree and pursue my writing goals.

How would you describe your writing? What themes, ideas, styles do you find recurring throughout your work?

My nonfiction writing centers around my family and everyday life here in the Midwest. I recently dipped my toes into fiction writing when I took Dr. Ervick’s Start Your Novel class. There I began working on a novel that explores themes of life and loss and what literature means to readers. I’m excited to continue work on that project and see where it takes me.

Who are some of your favorite authors? Do you see these authors as influencing your writing?

There are so many amazing writers and so little time to read! Some of my favorite contemporary writers include Jodi Picoult, Kate Quinn, Ariel Lawhon, Barbara Kingsolver, and Ken Follett. In an effort to expand my reading horizons I have recently read some fantasy works by Rebecca Yarros and TJ Klune. And I will always be a fan of classic writers such as Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Bram Stoker, and Toni Morrison. Everything I read helps me to see new ways of structuring plot or using language that I hope enrich my own writing.

What is your writing process like?

Panic and prayer? Just kidding, I have never been very good at outlining. I usually have to “write my way in” to a topic. So, once I settle on an idea I just try to get my fingers on the keyboard as much as possible and see what comes out. After I get some thoughts on the page I like to read back through and see what could be cut and what threads are emerging that I could build on to produce a finished piece. And, like most writers I go through a “this is great – actually this is awful what was I thinking” stage pretty consistently.

How did this particular piece come about? What was your inspiration?

“Legacy: A Life in Ten Objects or Less” grew out of an assignment in Dr. Mattox’s Prose Style Workshop class. The feedback I received in the workshop from my amazing classmates helped me to polish the essay into what it is today.

Student Writing Awards 2024: An Interview with Jessica Kado

Jessica won first place in the Graduate Fiction category for her piece “Faith No More.” Congratulations, Jessica!

INTERVIEWED BY AUBREN KUBICKI

What does winning this award mean to you?

Winning this award is an honor because I’m being recognized by a working artist who sees potential in my writing.

How would you describe your writing? What themes, ideas, and styles do you find recurring throughout your work?

I’m always exploring existence. It’s in everything I write. Comedy or drama. That and anything that transcends time or space. Universal truths. Women trying to be problem solvers.

Who are some of your favorite authors? Do you see these authors as influencing your writing?

Brit Marling. It’s all I can think of right now. She and her writing partner think beyond a linear idea. It’s magic.

How did this particular piece come about? What was your inspiration?

My husband and I spent time at a property near the site of the murder and cult. We’ve been obsessed with it all for years. Then I started to obsess about the women and their lives at the time. After getting to know the culture of the town I decided this made sense.

Persons of Interest Poetry Reading with Steven Ostrowski

I’m certainly not an arbiter of what counts as “good” art, but I can recognize that Ostrowski demonstrates a clear mastery of poetic language.

by Robin Dubree

On April 3rd, I had the opportunity to attend a poetry reading sponsored by the English Department here at IUSB. The featured author was Steven Ostrowski, the first winner of Wolfson Press’s annual Poetry Chapbook Contest in 2021. I’ve attended a poetry reading online before, but this was my first time attending one in person, and I’m so thankful I did. Steven Ostrowski read both from the winning book, Persons of Interest, and his most recent book of poetry, Life Field. In my opinion, there’s something so valuable about being able to hear poetry read aloud, even though it is primarily presented to readers in print. I was able to pick up a copy of Persons of Interest and have it signed after the reading, and I spent the rest of the night poring over the words and really absorbing Ostrowski’s work. I always find that I need some time to let the words sit with me after hearing poems read aloud. Good poetry seems to find a way to make me aware of my very small but unique place in the universe, and I was struck with that feeling on my way home from the event.

Persons of Interest is made up of poems that are all in some way dedicated to or inspired by someone else, whether famous artists or old friends. Ostrowski spoke at length about the ways in which each of these people impacted him and his writing, and hearing this context gave each poem so much more weight and soul. In particular, he described being a child surrounded by the sounds of folk artists from the 1960s – Bob Dyan, Joni Mitchell, and Neil Young, among others. The way in which these musicians crafted their lyrics resonated with him deeply, and inspired him both to start writing poetry and playing music. In addition to the former, Ostrowski also writes fiction (having just published his first novel, The Highway of Spirit and Bone, last year) and paints. During the reading he described himself as a “jack of all trades, master of none,” but personally, I think that was far too humble a claim. I’m certainly not an arbiter of what counts as “good” art, but I can recognize that Ostrowski demonstrates a clear mastery of poetic language.

The book begins with “Skeleton Blood Memoir With Bob,” as reference to Bob Dylan. Right away, his words make impact. One stanza reads:

And it doesn’t leave you, ever. 
Leaves tracks that harp in your blood. 	
Leaves you spastic balletic, moonful in your poems,
howl-round in the bedroom, a little lonely in the eye sockets
but approaching mystic. His ghost songs,
even fifty years down the highway,
shiver like the last hotel in the hurricane. 

Source

Immediately I was gripped by not only the excellent musicality of the word choice, but by the conviction in each line. Ostrowski’s writing is earnest and down-to-earth in an honestly refreshing way. He invokes the spirit of the subject both by illustrating the feeling of their music (in “Neil Young”, lines like “His eyes follow the rolling wave / of pink-tinted grain; his cracked hand spreads open / like a power chord’s gush / through a mahogany hall”) and in repurposing their lyrics (in “Windows”: “Neil Young has that line in ‘Helpless’: ‘Blue blue windows behind the / stars…’ / I always liked that; that he put the windows behind the stars. That the / stars come first”). I could’ve never heard a single song by Neil Young, and still walked away from reading each poem with a reverence for him; that’s how convinced I was by Ostrowski’s poetry. His writing is witty, approachable, and incredibly well-crafted. He puts his writing philosophy best at the end of “Wayward in the Blood”: “Me, I’m still writing my gravel and dust poems. / For who? I couldn’t say. Doesn’t matter. I know this for sure: / I’m doing what I want to do”. And what more could you possibly ask for?

Steven Ostrowski is Professor Emeritus at Central Conneticut State University and a poet, fiction writer, visual artist and songwriter. His work has been published in numerous literary journals and magazines. He is the author of seven books of poetry (one co-authored with his son, Ben Ostrowski) and two books of fiction. You can purchase Persons of Interest at the Wolfson Press website. You can also purchase his latest book, Life Field, on his personal website.

English Major’s Guide To: Finding Inspiration When You’re Stuck (Written By Someone With Chronic Inspiration Paralysis)

“How do you get started if you don’t even know what you’re starting with?”

By Aubren Kubicki

I’m terrible at coming up with ideas. 

Okay, that’s not entirely true — I know my friends and family are shaking their heads at me right now, protesting that I’m one of the most creative people they know! And in certain situations, that’s the case. But when it comes to figuring out what to write — for a class assignment, for myself, even for the blog — all my cognitive abilities freeze up, scramble for an answer, and draw a collective blank with an apologetic shrug. It doesn’t matter what kind of writing either; academic research papers, personal prose essays, poetry, short fiction, screenplays, all of them elude me at first. Getting started is always the hardest part for me, and how do you get started if you don’t even know what you’re starting with?

I’ve coined the term “inspiration paralysis” to describe this phenomenon, stealing inspiration (wink wink) from something known as “decision paralysis” or “analysis paralysis”. Both occur when someone — a writer, for instance — is faced with a choice of some kind — what to write about, perhaps — and, rather than choosing between A or B, chooses C: to do nothing. This leads to procrastination, which leads to crunch time writing, which often leads to less successful work. Both decision paralysis and analysis paralysis stem from overthinking a choice: what if I choose A and get halfway through and realize I should have chosen B? What if I choose B and it turns out to be harder to write than A? Sometimes, as is the case for me when trying to figure out what to write, there are simply too many options to pick from. Overwhelmed, my brain shuts down and gives me nothing instead of trying to dig through the haystack to find the needle of inspiration I need.

So how do we overcome this so-called inspiration paralysis, you may be screaming at me. Aubren, get to the point! Well… Truth be told, I’m still not entirely sure. I’ve found some methods that work for me, and some that don’t, and sometimes the inspiration paralysis wins and I just don’t write. Or I find myself frantically pounding out an 8 page essay the night before it’s due (would not recommend). Still, so that you don’t unsubscribe from the English blog and write a public complaint about me online, I’ll give you a list of some things that have worked for me — and some that haven’t too, just for fun.

1. Free-write. One of the most successful techniques I’ve found for getting over my initial inspiration block is just sitting down at my computer, or with a notebook and writing implement if you prefer the old school, and just writing. It can be words, stream-of-consciousness, phrases — anything goes. If you’re writing within the parameters of a research essay, or a piece with more specific guidelines, sometimes your free-writes will benefit from starting off with a topic or theme. Sometimes you can even end up using portions of what you’ve written in your actual piece! What’s most important is that you throw your inhibitions, perfectionism, and presupposed notions to the side and write. Something is always better than nothing.
2. Stare mindlessly at your computer screen/notebook/whatever you’re writing in and wait for the muse to magically fly into your head. More often than not this doesn’t work, and it just makes you feel bad about yourself for wasting time. Not recommended.
3. Find inspiration in other art! Personally, I love ekphrastic pieces: works, traditionally poetry, based on pieces of visual art. That doesn’t mean you can only use visual art as the inspiration for poetry, though. Or that you can only use visual art to find inspiration — maybe there’s a song you find particularly inspiring that can kickstart that short story you’ve been wanting to write.
4. Perform a seance and summon a ghost to write for you. Never tried this one, but maybe it could work. That’s where the term “ghost writer” comes from, right? 
5. Seek out examples and advice. Sometimes the inspiration paralysis comes not just from what to write about, but how to write it. That’s where turning to other writers — on the internet, in your community, in your classroom — can be helpful. Sometimes reading examples of pieces similar to what you want to write can get those brain juices flowing a little more easily.
6. Procrastinate by doing something else that you also need/want to do, but that isn’t the writing you maybe should be doing. I am very guilty of this. I’m doing it right now, actually, as I write this piece for the blog! I should be writing an op-ed for class instead. Oops.
7. Play around with AI. I think we can all agree that having an AI write an entire piece for you is somehow unethical, and that’s not what I’m suggesting you do here. Instead, try throwing prompts of your own writing at it and see what it comes up with. Have a conversation back and forth about the project you’re seeking inspiration for. The results will depend on what you put into it and what AI you’re using, but I’ve seen some really interesting use of AI as a tool for writers rather than a crutch or a competitor. (If you’re curious, look up the essay “Ghosts” by Vauhini Vara for an excellent example.)
8. Talk it out. This is the method I use the most often, and with the most successful results. Even if the other person isn’t in class with you, doesn’t care about writing whatsoever, has no idea what you’re talking about — it helps just to be able to spitball your ideas at them. It forces your brain to think about the decision to make rather than just avoiding it altogether, and by the end of the conversation you’ve got a pretty good idea of where you want to start.

And there you have it: 8 techniques to try next time you’re feeling gripped with inspiration paralysis about your next writing project. Let me know if you try any of these — I’d love to hear how they work (or don’t work) for you. Good luck and happy writing!

Ron Padgett, Paterson, and Life Lessons

Paterson underscores the importance of stepping away from the world to observe it and emphasizes the merit in living life deliberately and slowly.

By Robin Dubree

I don’t know about you, but when I find an actor I really like, I always make it a goal of mine to watch every film they’ve been in. This has lead me down some very weird roads, but I’ve more or less always been pleasantly surprised by my findings. In my foray into the filmography of Adam Driver (who is a Mishawaka native, by the way), I stumbled across the 2016 film Paterson, directed by Jim Jarmusch. The film didn’t just pleasantly surprise me but made me think for days after, and each time I rewatch it I come away with the same refreshed and inspired feeling. It’s kind of lofty praise to lay on such a film, but it changed my life, and to this day affects my perspective not just on writing poetry but on the world around me as a whole.

Paterson follows the daily life of aptly named protagonist Paterson (Adam Driver), a bus driver living in Paterson, New Jersey. He goes through the same routine every day of the week: wakes up beside his partner Laura (Golshifteh Farahani), walks to work, listens to passengers’ conversations on the bus, writes poetry on his lunch break, takes the dog on a walk after work, and stops by the bar for a beer. This routine in and of itself provides the film with a rhythm; interspersed with shots of the sights of the city are poems written in Paterson’s “secret notebook.” The poetry, like Paterson himself, isn’t in-your-face or extravagant. The poems of the film praise the mundane, turn something as simple as a box of matches into a thing of beauty. Paterson underscores the importance of stepping away from the world to observe it and emphasizes the merit in living life deliberately and slowly. The patterns of poetry form all around us, we just have to look closely enough to notice. 

Ron Padgett, photographed by John Sarsgard

It wasn’t until recently that I took the time to research who wrote the poems for the film, and this led me down an equally rewarding rabbit hole. The poet behind all of Paterson’s work is Ron Padgett, born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1942. He served as a prominent part of the second generation of the New York School, a movement which took began in the 1960s. Padgett and Paterson director Jim Jarmusch were both students of poet Kenneth Koch, a founding member of the New York School, although they didn’t properly meet until much later. The influence of the New York School is evident throughout the film– not just in Padgett’s ever-present voice (and Koch’s by extension) but in references to Frank O’Hara, whose Lunch Poems Paterson carries with him to work. The New York School is even name-dropped near the end of the film. The poems of this school are simplistic and observational, but witty and spontaneous, taking much of their influence from the earlier Modern and Surrealist movements. 

All of these qualities are present in the poem “Another One,” which Padgett wrote specifically for the film:

When you’re a child
you learn
there are three dimensions:
height, width, and depth.
Like a shoebox.
Then later you hear
there’s a fourth dimension:
time.
Hmm.
Then some say
there can be five, six, seven…
I knock off work,
have a beer
at the bar.
I look down at the glass
and feel glad.

“Another One” embodies the easygoing, urban feeling characteristic of all the poetry in Paterson. Paterson writes what he observes in his ordinary world, and takes pleasure in the simple, never neglecting to point out the absurdity of it all. Padgett’s writing feels almost comforting in the sense it feels like having a conversation with a friend. Yet it still has the power and wit to provoke thought, urging readers to adopt a different perspective. 

In a way, I think everyone can appreciate the necessity of a film like Paterson. In a world where movies capture our attention by being flashy or shocking, Paterson takes a different approach to its audience. It highlights the poetry in everyday life, and that is enough. It’s the reason I started carrying around a “secret notebook” of my own– to record these moments wherever they come to me. By having the audacity to exist quietly, Paterson only further emphasizes the beauty in the mundane. 

Recommendation Station: Unwind

Imagine a society that has not only completely irradicated abortion, but has come to a means by which both viewpoints of Pro-Life and Pro-Choice were satisfied. But at what cost?

By Katie Clark

Neal Shusterman’s young adult novel Unwind tells the tale of the conflicting perspectives of three young adults in a society that has abolished abortion and made organ donations mandatory for those who don’t fit society’s mold.

After a second civil war between the pro-life and pro-choice movements, “the Bill of Life” is passed by the government. Every baby is born and none are terminated, at least until the age of thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, every child is evaluated and judged accordingly based on their societal contributions thus far. If someone is deemed to no longer be useful or is believed to be more trouble than they’re worth, they will be what is called “unwound”. Being unwound means you will technically live on, but your physical self will be harvested for the use of others. This is considered a justified means to end the conflict between both movements.

The narrative introduces three characters: Conner, Rita, and Levi. Conner is sixteen and a juvenile delinquent running from his parents who want him to be unwound because he’s considered a troubled teen. Rita is an orphan who is extraordinarily musically gifted, yet at fifteen she still hasn’t been adopted yet and is sent to be unwound because the orphanage can no longer afford her living expenses. Levi is a thirteen-year-old boy who is chosen to be unwound as a charitable religious service. Their very different perspectives clash harshly when the three are thrown into a very rare occurrence of chaos in which their journeys are disrupted and they manage to flee from governmental watch. Rita and Conner, naturally, are eager to keep running to survive their unwinding; Levi however, maintains that he is supposed to be unwound as a service to God and thwarts their plans to continue his religious duty. Throughout their misadventures, all three teens will be challenged and learn the value of human life, no matter age or societal status.

In his five-book dystology, Shusterman vividly captures the horrors and harsh realities of the society that the teens are trapped in, a society that seems not too far off from the one we live in today. The premise of these ideas is mostly fictionalized, however, with each new section of the book, Shusterman displays excerpts from real sources around the world that mimic the themes and events in the story. This compelling, thought-provoking storyline will touch on several modern issues that will frighten you in its relevance today. Through the eyes of Conner, Rita, Levi, and all the teens they come into contact with along the way, Shusterman will evoke many emotions in you and beg the question: what if?

English Major’s Guide To: Having A ‘Lit’ Valentine’s Day

 “If I could write the beauty of your eyes, And in fresh numbers number all your graces, The age to come would say ‘This poet lies; Such heavenly touches ne’er touched earthly faces.” – Shakespeare’s Sonnet 17

By Natasha O’Hara

     Photo by Walls.io on Unsplash

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, and if you’re like me, you might have procrastinated on planning something special for your significant other. Or perhaps you’re flying solo this year, in which case, fear not! Check out the English Major’s Guide To: Being Single on Valentine’s Day for some fun ideas. Then again, maybe you’re one of those who sees Valentine’s Day as just another overhyped day fueled by consumer culture. If that’s the case, I’ve got you covered too—check out last year’s post, The History of Valentine’s Day, by our alum, Amanda Ross.

Whether you’re all in on the romance, embracing your singledom, or just indifferent to the whole affair, I’ve put together a list of Literary-themed V-Day gifts and activities to delight the bookworms in your life. These options range from simple gestures to more elaborate plans, but they’re all guaranteed to add a touch of literary magic to your February 14th without causing too much stress.

1. Literary Love Quotes: Dive into the world of classic and contemporary literature to find those swoon-worthy quotes that capture the essence of love. Share them with someone special, jot them down on Valentine’s Day cards, or spread the love on social media.

2. Love Poem Analysis: Get your poetic juices flowing by analyzing famous love poems from the likes of Shakespeare or Dickinson. Explore the themes, imagery, and poetic devices that make these poems timeless expressions of love.

3. DIY Gifts: Get crafty and show your love with handmade gifts inspired by literature. Think romantic quote bookmarks, personalized journals, or custom book covers featuring your favorite literary couples.

       Image from Adobe Stock

4. Plan a romantic date night inspired by your favorite books. Recreate scenes from your favorite love stories with a picnic, or go exploring bookstores together before having a romantic dinner somewhere special. Either way, let literature set the mood for your evening.

5. Create a Bookish Valentine’s Day Playlist. Set the mood with a playlist of romantic songs inspired by literature (doesn’t have to be exclusively lit based). Play it for your significant other or share it with friends during a Valentine’s Day gathering.

6. Host a Writing Workshop on Love Letters. Channel your inner romantic by learning the art of writing love letters. Provide your group with tips, prompts and examples from famous love letters in literature. Encourage attendees to express their feelings through intimate writings.

7. Host a Literary-themed Dinner Party. Organize a dinner party inspired by your favorite books and authors. Deck out your space with bookish decor, plan meals that speak to the theme, and encourage guests to dress as characters from literature for an unforgettable evening.

8. Host a Book Swap and Discussion. If you want something that requires less work than a dinner party, organize a book swap where you can exchange your favorite love stories or poetry collections with friends. Then, dive into a lively discussion about the books exchanged and what made them resonate with each reader.

Bookmark Ideas! Image from Adobe Stock

9. Community Poetry Reading: Bring your community together (bonus points if it’s in a coffee shop) for a poetry reading event where people can share their own love poems or read aloud from their favorite romantic literature. Create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone to express themselves through poetry.

10. Bookstore/Library Scavenger Hunt: Embark on a scavenger hunt at your local bookstore or library with your valentine or friends. Enjoy the adventure by hunting for books with romantic themes or quotes related to love.

So whether you’re a die-hard romantic or just looking for a fun way to celebrate, let literature be your guide this Valentine’s Day! Let’s spread some bookish love together.

Featured Senior: Quinn Newell

Quinn Newell was the editor for the 2023 Analecta, and is the recipient of the 2023 IUSB Department of English Overall Excellence Award.

By Natasha O’Hara

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and what sorts of things you’ve been involved in at IUSB.

Hi, my name is Quinn Newell! I’m an English major (concentration in Writing) with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. During my time here, I admittedly haven’t been involved in a crazy amount of stuff – I was apart of the archery team during my first 2 years (which was an absolute blast!) and I’ve gone to a lot of English Club events (poetry readings, guest lectures, book releases, etc.)  

What’s a fond memory you have of your time at IUSB?  

A lot of the poetry readings I’ve been to on campus have been really great, but I think one of my fondest memories was a book release/reading I went to with Dr. Kelcey Ervick’s Fiction Writing classes. We went to Notre Dame, got to hear a great reading, and afterwards just got to hang out outside and enjoy food together. It’s very simple, but it really felt like an opportunity to just bond and talk with my friends and classmates outside of a classroom setting! 

What advice do you have for current students?  

My advice to current students would be to go at your own pace! I took a gap year before starting at IUSB, and this will be my 5^th year here. I think there’s a lot of stress for college students to graduate on time and follow a certain timeline, but I found that it was much more important for me to do what I needed to do. I struggle a lot with ADHD and depression, and there were a few semesters where taking a full courseload of credits just wasn’t in the cards for me. I took less credits and was a part-time student for a while, and even though it set me back, I wouldn’t change those decisions!  

What were your favorite classes? Are there any professors that have been an influential part of your academic career?  

I could rattle off a whole list of favorite classes, but I’ll limit myself. First, all of the poetry classes I’ve taken with David Dodd Lee have been beyond influential to me. I’ve been a writer since I was a kid, and I’ve learned so much about poetry and my own art from those classes. The Gender Studies classes I’ve taken with April Lidinsky have been some of my favorites as well; she has such a way of getting students to be excited and passionate about what we’re learning about. Professors like Jake Maddox and Kyoko Takanashi have also been incredibly influential in reminding me that academia doesn’t all have to be about getting a grade, but that it should be about trying things out and getting excited to learn. 

What are your plans for after graduation?  

God, that’s the question, isn’t it? At the moment I’m waiting to hear back from a couple of jobs I’ve applied to (so wish me luck). Overall, I’m planning to stay in the South Bend area for a while. I’m honestly looking forward to having time to get into hobbies and really dive into projects and reading that I just didn’t have time to do while being a full-time student. 

Is there anything that you would’ve changed or done differently given the opportunity?  

I wish I would have taken more classes to explore subjects! It’s only in my last semester here that I finally took a dance class, and I LOVED IT. Similarly, this semester was my first visual art class (Printmaking) and while I’ve never thought of myself as a visual artist and have always been intimidated by it, I’ve had so much fun in that class! I think a lot of us forget that college is supposed to be a time where we can explore topics and interests, and not just barrel through to finishing our degrees.  

Lives of the Writer: Phillis Wheatley Peters, 18th Century Poet

“Before the end of this century the full aesthetic, political, and religious implications of her [Phillis Wheatley Peters] art and even more salient facts about her life and works will surely be known and celebrated by all who study the 18th century and by all who revere this woman, a most important poet in the American literary canon.” — Sondra A. O’Neale, Emory University

By Natasha O’Hara

The Poetry Foundation considers Phillis Wheatley Peters as “one of the best-known poets in pre-19th century America.” In 1773, Wheatley Peters published, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, thereby becoming the first African American, first enslaved person, and third woman to publish a book of poems in America. The themes in her poems often reflected her views on religion and race, most notably in her poem, “On Being Brought from Africa to America”. In U.S history, she is regarded as a prominent figure for her open support of the American Revolution, while being openly opposed to slavery.

Wheatley Peters was born in West Africa in 1753. At around the age of 7, she was kidnapped by slave traders and was shipped off to the colonies on a slave ship named the Phillis (which is where her name is derived). There isn’t much information on Wheatley Peter’s life prior to her enslavement.

In August of 1761, she was sold to an affluent family in Boston. John Wheatley was a tailor, whose clientele included well known figures of the time, such as John Hancock. His wife, Susanna, was reported as being in search of a “domestic” and purchased the young “slave refugee” for a small sum. The captain of the Phillis believed the girl to be “terminally ill, and he wanted to gain at least a small profit before she died” (PF).

Not only did she survive, within the first 16 months of arriving to the colonies she had mastered the English language. She also studied astronomy, geography, history, Greek and Latin, amongst other studies and while continuing her “domestic” work. Her love and talent for poetry was recognized at a young age, and at 13 she wrote the poem, “On Messrs. Hussey and Coffin,” which was published on 21 December 1767 in the early American colonial newspaper the Newport Mercury. By 18, Wheatley Peters had a collection of 28 poems and international acclaim for her elegy, “An Elegiac Poem, on the Death of that Celebrated Divine, and Eminent Servant of Jesus Christ, the Reverend and Learned George Whitefield”.

Around this time, Wheatley Peters began searching for a press to publish her first collection of poetry. In May of 1771, after being rejected for publication in the colonies because of her race, she and Nathaniel Wheatley (son of John and Susanna) set off to find support in London. Wheatley Peters had gained support from wealthy contributors of evangelical and abolitionist causes, and was able to secure publication. The forward in her first book, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, was signed by John Hancock and other Boston notables, and included a portrait of Wheatley, to prove the legitimacy of a Black woman’s talent.  Some time after this, she returned to Boston, and was freed from slavery.

Death consumed the majority of the Wheatley family from 74-78, during this time Wheatley Peters continued to write poetry and offer support for evangelical and abolitionist causes. She had a public correspondence with George Washington in 1776, over a poem she wrote in praise of him. On April 1st, 1778, Phillis Wheatley married John Peters, a free Black man, and took his name.

On December 5, 1784, Phillis Wheatley Peters passed away, at the mere age of 31, some sources claim she passed from complications during childbirth. For much of her life, Wheatley Peters is described as being in poor condition, and is said to have suffered from a chronic asthma condition. This, plus the subsequent poverty from being “free”, not equal, is likely to have contributed to the early deaths of her three children, as well as her own.

Wheatley Peters only published one book during her life, as she was not able to secure fundings for her second collection. She has been reported to have written as many as 145 poems in her life, although many have been lost. She wrote many of her poems in iambic pentameter with the couplet being her favorite poetic form. Despite her young demise, Phillis Wheatley Peters legacy carries on, securing her place as a prominent poet in American history.