The Writing Studies Graduating Senior and Alum Spotlights highlight diverse talents and success stories within our community, focusing on program graduates.
Three Questions with Darin Neuberger
What’s been meaningful about your career pathway since you left Boise State?
I’ve published my first novel titled Bluffing the Queen. I am also currently working as an intern at Swyer Literary Agency, while working on my next book. I’ve joined a lot of reading and writing groups, which has been a helpful way to make connections with other authors and replicate the helpful workshop style many Boise State writing classes have. The process of completing my book was long. This was my sixth attempt at writing a book. The previous five books I had tried writing were of poor quality and this was the first one I thought was good enough to publish. And writing the book was only the beginning. Afterward, I had to complete six passes of revision through the manuscript. Then, being a self-published author I had to do so much research in finding the right publisher, learning proper formatting, setting up early review copies, and so much more. The path to this point wasn’t always pretty, but looking back I’m glad I persevered through it.
How have you been applying what you learned in your degree program?
In my degree I learned how to create technical documents and communicate information through different mediums. I use these skills pretty much every day professionally. Another aspect of life I gained from my degree was I felt like it taught me discipline. I believe writing a book is a war and every sentence is a skirmish. I received a lot of really impactful advice from professors. “Write from the floor,” “Write the hardest thing,” and “The writing you’re doing matters” are some of my favorite pieces of advice from professors. I carry those moments with me and they really do motivate me to be the best writer I can be.
What would you tell your student self if you could go back?
Don’t get discouraged when life or classes get difficult. From all the daily homework assignments, stressful late-night group projects, and presentations, you can learn so much about yourself and what you’re capable of. I believe you grow as a person every time you struggle and overcome an obstacle. My favorite classes were always creative writing classes because you could get as much out of those classes as you put into them. Those classes taught me that it’s always worth it to push yourself to do something new and difficult.
Writing Studies Graduating Senior Spotlight
Writing Studies Graduating Senior Spotlight highlights diverse talents and success stories within our community, focusing on program graduates.
5 Questions with Ava Mckendry
What’s been a meaningful experience in your education at Boise State?
The most meaningful experience at Boise State has been my relationship with my professors. Looking back to my freshman year, I didn’t realize the powerful dynamic there can be between professors and students, and just how much it can fill the soul. In my final year at Boise State, I have had the pleasure to run into my professors on campus, ranging from my first year all the way to now. There is something to having a professor remember your name when you were sure they ought to forget it. It’s called being seen.
How have you been applying what you’ve learned in your degree program?
I’ve been applying a range of skills that I’ve learned in my degree program throughout my everyday life but also in the Writing for Change Journal, led by Kyle Boggs. I get the opportunity to use my proofreading and editing skills on documents, apply technical communication knowledge, like design and accessibility toward the site, and impact the journal by using my creative voice to strengthen storytelling initiatives.
What is next for you? What are you excited about?
I am applying to a teaching certification program in Iberia, Spain. During this program, I am dancing with the idea of getting my MFA degree. I know two things for sure; I want to connect with people, and I want to help people. For a period of time I was nervous to graduate, but I’m excited now. It means I get to venture.
Do you have a favorite quote about learning or writing or college life that you could share?
Author Kurt Vonnegut on telling his wife he’s going out to buy an envelope: “Oh, she says, well, you’re not a poor man. You know, why don’t you go online and buy a hundred envelopes and put them in the closet? And so I pretend not to hear her. And go out to get an envelope because I’m going to have a hell of a good time in the process of buying one envelope. I meet a lot of people. And see some great looking babies. And a fire engine goes by. And I give them the thumbs up. And I’ll ask a woman what kind of dog that is. And, and I don’t know. The moral of the story is – we’re here on Earth to fart around. And, of And, of course, the computers will do us out of that. And what the computer people don’t realize, or they don’t care, is we’re dancing animals. You know, we love to move around. And it’s like we’re not supposed to dance anymore.”
What would you tell your “freshman self” if you had the chance to go back and give them advice?
I would say, you’re going to be scared, and it’s going to be difficult, and you will cry many times but this needs to happen because it’s truly part of the experience. But what’s also part of the experience is gaining a deeper appreciation and confidence for oneself. I would remind myself that these are all new experiences — that it’s important to be gentle to yourself. I look back and am so grateful I applied to Boise State on a random Thursday night at 10pm. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.