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Six Words. Limitless Gratitude.
Life has been tremendously challenging, but there’s much to be grateful for. So, we asked Southern students and faculty to tell us about it. But to please, keep it brief. Six words, to be precise.
Master of brevity Ernest Hemingway once reportedly won a $10 bet by writing a story in six words. The tale — “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” — was never officially attributed to Hemingway and is largely considered an urban legend. But the six-word memoir continues to inspire and challenge writers today. Author Larry Smith has built a literary dynasty around the idea, creating a successful website, book series, and lecture circuit by asking his followers to reflect on different topics in six words. The concept has caught fire. The New York Times, National Public Radio, and Wired magazine are among those reporting on the phenomenon or seeking their own six-word story submissions. This spring, Southern Alumni Magazine followed suit and invited students and faculty to express their gratitude. We narrowed our focus by reaching out to faculty in the departments of Communication, Media, and Screen Studies; English, including the M.F.A. in Creative Writing program; and Journalism. Their creativity is shared in the following pages.
— Madison Conklin, elementary education major
— Teresa Twomey, graduate student in the M.F.A. in creative writing program
— Lupita Barajas, ’21, English major (concentration in creative writing) and minors in film studies and honors transdisciplinary concepts and perspectives
— Brianna Savage, ’21, senior general studies major (concentration in health and community service)
— Madeline S. Scharf, English major (concentration in literature) and minor in journalism
— Michele Furnaros, English major (concentration in creative writing)
— Genevieve Jaser, ’21, interdisciplinary studies major (concentrations in English and communication); former editor-in-chief of Folio
— Shawn Contreras, English major (concentration in creative writing)
— Matthew Mainieri, dual majors in special education-elementary education collaborative and liberal studies (concentrations in English and history)
— Rachel Furey, assistant professor of English
— Jason Edwards, ’21, journalism major and public relations minor; former photo editor of Crescent Magazine; multimedia coordinator and community builder, Southern’s Office of Integrated Communications & Marketing
— Elizabeth Mercado, English major (concentration in professional writing); co-editor-in-chief of Crescent Magazine
— Michael Rabuffo, English major music minor
— Maria Barresi, English major (concentration in creative writing)
— Martine Senecal, interdisciplinary studies major (concentrations in communication and psychology)
— Bonnie Farley-Lucas, ’87, professor of communication, media, and screen studies
BOOKMARKS: TURN TO THESE PAGES FOR MORE WRITING BY SOUTHERN STUDENTS.
Crescent Magazine
Available in print and online, this award-winning magazine is created for students, by students. CrescentMagazine.org
Folio
Southern’s undergraduate literary and arts magazine features poetry, art, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Folio2021.org and SouthernCT.edu/folio
Noctua Review
The annual arts and literary journal is produced by Southern’s M.F.A. in Creative Writing program. Launched in 2008, it is the brainchild of Lois Lake Church, M.A. ’08. NoctuaReview.com
Southern News
The student-run college newspaper is available in print and online. TheSouthernNews.org
