INSTRUCTORS

Jay Kauffman

INTERVIEW WITH JAY KAUFFMANN

When did you first feel like a writer?
I think the first inkling that I might be a writer came in my sophomore year of college. I had just won an award for my poetry chapbook (I wanted to be a poet then) and people started to think and speak of me as a writer. And yet, despite all the positive feedback, I remained unconvinced, because I knew I had no idea what I was doing. Then, after graduate school, when my stuff started appearing in magazines, I thought, Okay, now I’m a writer. But whenever people asked me what I did, I was still reluctant to call myself a writer. It was only after a long stretch on my own, without any support or encouragement, when I was left to the daily practice of facing myself and the page — and feeling drunk with discovery — that I finally began to feel like a writer.
What's your philosophy about teaching a writing class?
Well, I approach teaching with the understanding that everything takes place at the level of the line (or, for prose writers, the sentence). All our choices, every discovery, starts there. So I begin by focusing on the specific, the small details. I also believe that when it comes to creative growth, passion has to be in the mix. So I try—and I know this sounds a bit inflated—to awaken in each student their own brand of passion. And, most significantly, I come to each class with the understanding and the thrill that what unfolds between the students and me will most likely teach me as much as it teaches them.
If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be and why?
It would be a toss up between Odysseus and Siddhartha (with Richard III on the short list, because, well, he’s such a rock star). I identify with both characters for different reasons: Odysseus because I also know what it’s like to travel for many years trying to get home only to discover, when you finally do return, that home is no longer there; and Siddhartha because I’ve also wrestled with those contradictory impulses to be an ascetic and a hedonist. I’m sure, if we sat down together, both characters would have a lot of insights to share.

INSTRUCTOR BIO

 

Jay Kauffmann’s fiction and nonfiction have appeared in numerous publications and anthologies here and abroad. Winner of the Andrew Grossbardt Memorial Prize and nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best New American Voices, he has taught at Randolph College, Vermont College, University of Virginia, and Miller School.

WHAT WRITERHOUSE STUDENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT JAY

 

“Jay is a highly skilled teacher. His passion for writing is infectious.”

“Jay is an excellent guide. I felt both challenged and supported. Great tools and 8 good weeks of inspiration.”

“Great ability to offer honest, constructive feedback based on craft without crushing anyone’s soul.”

“Really great emphasis on technique and style. Great job encouraging writers of all levels.”

“Jay uses class time well, balancing instruction, discussion, and workshop.”

“I believe my writing will improve because of Jay Kauffmann. His discourse on voice, point of view, style and technique was illuminating. The handouts provided excellent examples. Jay’s critique of our work was extremely helpful. He led the class with a positive tone and encouraged comments and suggestions between classmates.”

From Jay’s Advanced Class: 

“One thing Jay does very well-he brings order to the chaos of writing. At times, I’ve sensed that my work—or someone else’s—wasn’t quite right, but I couldn’t identify why. Jay consistently, wisely, and kindly sheds light on not just the good, but importantly, the bad, and it’s helped me improve. I’ll be back.”

“Jay brings a lot of experience to his teaching. He is attentive, thorough, and honest in his feedback. I enjoyed the writing samples he brought in, as well as the prompts. I loved the smaller, advanced format.”

“This was such a wonderful course—Jay gives such thoughtful, rich feedback and helpful prompts. So encouraging and also challenging in what he expects of us. He gave us some really great pieces to read and I would welcome more of it.”

“I enjoyed how challenged I was in this class to go outside of my comfort zone and stretch my writing style. I enjoyed the supportive and collaborative environment. I am so appreciative of Jay’s ability to balance sensitivity while still challenging us to perfect our art.”