Kuwait-based AR Arthur talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Living in the UK, the United States, the Netherlands, and Kuwait and coming from a multicultural, multiracial family, Arthur has a unique perspective on concepts of productivity, respect, and what it means to be a writer in the world. AR Arthur’s poem, Productivity , appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review . X (Twitter): AR Arthur TikTok: AR Arthur Website: AR Arthur's Blog _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken…

Pharmacist turned prolific author Mark Putzi sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A writer of short stories and poems who appreciates the courage of living through life’s dark times, Putzi shares his thoughts on the importance of being arrogant and why there are times when writers don’t need friends. Mark Putzi’s poem, When They Come, appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review . Mark’s listing on Poets & Writers Mark on Substack _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken…

Multi-genre writer Jack Johnson meets up with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. History, culture, and politics come together in the work of Johnson who reflects on research rabbit holes, the creative benefits of digging in the dirt, and life in Richmond Virginia. Jack’s blog Jack on Facebook Jack Johnson’s story, The Gardener , appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review . _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken…

London-based author Lorcán Black chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A writer who delves into conflicting emotions, reflects on crafting political poems that are more emotional than political, honoring a creative process that defies definition and reveals unknown aspects of life in Ireland. Lorcán Black’s poem, Sweetbread , appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review . Lorcán on TikTok Lorcán on Instagram _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken…

Accountant turned poet L Lois talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. An author who doesn’t hesitate to write through the darker sides of life, L Lois reveals how a chance meeting with a writer led her to discover the healing magic of poetry. A prolific writer who is dedicated to supporting others, she marvels at the beauty of a poem's white space and the power of words not written. L Lois’s poem, Culpability , appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review . L Lois' website _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken…

MFA student Jill Bronfman sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Bronfman, who has been writing a poem every morning for over a year, chats about fostering rabbits during Covid, balancing writing with life’s other obligations, and tells the story of writing her first novel. Jill Bronfman’s poem, She Read It Wrong , appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review . Jill’s website Jill’s LinkedIn _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken…

Lifelong advocate for justice, Paul Grussendorf meets up with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A career as an attorney representing refugees and asylum seekers gives Grussendorf unique insight into our legal system and how it impacts individuals and families. He offers surprising information on the legal system and the backdrop for Zora Neal Hurston’s novel Barracoon . Paul Grussendorf’s essay, School President, Class Clown , appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review . Paul’s legal memoir, My Trials: Inside America's Deportation Factories Paul’s music on YouTube: Kassola Is My Name , Quality of Mercy , Union Station _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken…

Artist and writer Amanda Gattshall meets up with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Environmental scientist, researcher, and writer, Gattshall shares fun facts about sea turtles, muses about cute little robots, what it means to be human, and how Dungeons and Dragons influences her perspective on story building and characterization. Amanda Gattshall’s story, Sanctuary , appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review . Amanada on LinkedIn Amanada’s Sanctuary playlist _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken…

Lansing Community College student Isaiah Wummel shares his educational journey with Professor Melissa Ford Lucken. Wummel, who became a “foster kid” at the age of 14, offers an inside view of how constantly changing schools, being forced to adjust to ever-changing living conditions, and negotiating multiple systems requires a person to craft their own unique set of creative problem solving skills. _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken…

Jennifer Matson, a composition student and creative writer, shares her journey into writing and the evolution of her craft with host Melissa Ford Lucken. From her early days of scribbling stories as a child to her current aspirations of becoming a published author, Jennifer reflects on the importance of having a voice and expressing her thoughts through writing. She discusses the challenges of balancing life and writing, especially after becoming a parent, and how she has recently rekindled her passion for storytelling. The conversation delves into the significance of writing as a personal outlet and the transformative power it holds in exploring deeper subjects and perspectives. Through their dialogue, listeners gain insight into the creative process and the encouragement to pursue their writing dreams, no matter the obstacles. _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken…

Artist and writer Leonardo Chung chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Boarding school resident and magazine editor-in-chief Chung explores tropes in genre fiction, the importance of making friends in new environments, and how badly Chat GPT writes poetry. Leonardo Chung’s poem, haute cuisine & hyperboles , appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review . Leonardo’s Clepsydra Literary and Art Magazine Clepsydra Literary and Art Magazine on Instagram Leonardo on Instagram _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken…

Lansing area local Chuck Parker sits down with creative writing professor Melissa Ford Lucken. A software architect with a background in genomics and molecular genetics, Parker reveals how the restlessness of the Covid lockdown and desire to write a novel led him to enroll in Lansing Community College’s creative writing courses. Parker discusses how the coursework he completed over several semesters helped him continue writing his novel, organize his extensive research, and wrestle with poetry. Chuck’s website _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken…

Middle school English teacher Alyssa Troy chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Troy describes how the unexpected rescue of her classroom plants led to a poem. As she talks about teaching, she reveals why her students love Flowers for Algernon and one of SE Hinton’s lesser known novels as well as how to encourage young writers. A prolific poet, she imparts wisdom for other writers who want to begin getting their work out in the world. Alyssa Troy’s poem, An Orchid Replaced by Plastic Plants , appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review . Alyssa's poetry book, transfiguration, on Amazon _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken…

Artist and writer Taylor Rae meets up with creative writing professor Melissa Ford Lucken. Rae, who wrote the majority of her novel’s first draft prior to enrolling in LCC’s creative writing courses, takes listeners through the drafting and revising process and shares the extra boost she received by watching Shrek in our Writing the Novel class. Pinterest page Spotify playlist for Taylor’s novel, The Echoes of Hollow Manor _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken…

Lifelong creative and seeker Harry Edgar Palacio chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Palacio takes us on a spiritual journey shaped by a study of religions, mythology, and perspective. A musician, visual artist, and yoga teacher, this writer strives to bring meaning to his life’s creative path and inspire others to do the same. Harry Edgar Palacio’s poem, Midst of Fire , appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review . Harry on Goodreads _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken…