Spotlight on...Gena Schiffenhaus

Author: Justine Katzenbach

Gena Schiffenhaus '06 is an English major with a focus in creative writing from Key West, Fla. Shiffenhaus was one of 11 Middlebury College students accepted to attend the renowned Breadloaf Writers' Conference at the close of the summer. Schiffenhaus was accompanied by Mike Ives '06.5, Chris Knapp '07, Piya Kashyap '07, Kate Brittain '07, Lauren Markham '05.5, Luke Woods '07, Julina Rundberg '06, Lindsay Horner '07, Astri vonArbinAhlander '07 and Taylor Johnston '07. These students joined writers of all genres from across the globe to participate in this intensive two-week long workshop. Gena speaks to The Campus about her experience at this writers' haven.


The Middlebury Campus: What is your preferred genre of writing?

Gena Schiffenhaus: Well, technically I have been writing poetry recently and have always been drawn to poetry. I think that there is something in writers that resists labeling the genre they write in. There is a little of fiction and non-fiction in the poetry I love to read and a little poetry in the prose I love to read.

TC: How were you elected to participate in the Breadloaf Writers' Conference?

GS: Middlebury students have the unique chance to apply to the Conference and because of our affiliation, go on a scholarship. This year I was one of a group of very talented student writers from Midd at the Conference. The application consists of submitting a manuscript of unpublished work for review. In my case, it was ten pages of poetry, but it is different for fiction and non-fiction.

TC: How did the conference differ from a creative writing class at Middlebury College?

GS: We have phenomenal workshops here at Middlebury. Really good work is being done in them. I would never have thought about the Conference if it had not been for the professors and workshops I have had in my past three years here. The Conference itself is almost a retreat for writers. There were amazing lectures and readings everyday alongside time to meet interesting people and enjoy the beautiful setting. The workshop experience felt very familiar to ours here, except there were writers of all ages and a wide array of success (publishing that is) and backgrounds. So generally I would say in the workshops at Breadloaf there is the indelible feeling that people have come to [understand] their writing, that they are making it their life's work, and that is something amazing to witness.

TC: How did the experience differ for Middlebury College students compared to other Breadloaf students?

GS: Well having the sense of community that we do at Middlebury, it was comforting to have others there who were experiencing it all for the first time. I also think since we were there at this point in our lives, and had the opportunity to go on a scholarship, that we were able to take in the wonder of it all. Maybe not more so than the other students, but we were certainly the youngest writers there, and we were not leaving careers and families to come to the Conference in pursuit of writing and feedback.

TC: How did your writing improve?

GS: Funny thing, I wasn't able to write while I was there! I worked on pieces I was having workshopped at the time. It was almost paralyzing sometimes to be around so many accomplished, beautiful writers and then have to go back and produce something I found beautiful. Sometimes you just have to take time to absorb, and I know it will make a difference the next time I write. I feel as if my reading has improved though, absolutely.

TC: What is the general philosophy or credo of the conference?

GS: I am not sure if I can be so concise, maybe: write and support writers.

TC: How did you find the Breadloaf philosophy to be useful in learning more about your own writing?

GS: I think it reminded me how important it is to just make time to write, and to read especially. Read as much as you can!

TC: What is the best piece of advice you could give to writers at Middlebury after finishing Breadloaf?

GS: When going into workshops, realize that any criticism you receive is also a form of compliment because someone has read your work closely and intimately, and that is a rare thing. So listen and absorb and refine, but at the end of the day always know that it is your writing and it is not done by committee.

For more information on the Breadloaf Writers' Conference visit www.middlebury.edu/~blwc.