I’m Jenny Schuster, a student in Butler University’s master of fine arts creative writing program. I also am the fiction editor and social media coordinator for Booth, the literary journal.
Day One
6:06 a.m. I hop on my computer to work on some social media posts for Booth, Butler University’s literary journal. My border collie mix, Mikey, snoozes next to me on the couch.
7:20 a.m. I’m listening to the audiobook, “All Fours,” Miranda July’s recent novel. I’m loving it so far, (for) its humor and frank treatment of a fortysomething woman’s desires. I normally don’t like audiobooks, but the author reads this one, and she’s hilarious.
7:30 p.m. Butler’s Visiting Writers Series readings are free and open to the public — tonight’s reading is by poet Shane McCrae. In addition to reading some recent work, McCrae discusses the differences between writing prose and poetry.
Day Two
5:30 p.m. I have my weekly voice lesson through the Butler Community Arts School. I’ve played the piano and flute since childhood, but decided to start voice lessons this year after decades of exuberantly bad singing in showers and cars. I’m working on the beginning of a memoir about my love-hate relationship with my voice.
Today we’re working on a piece by Dominick Argento from his “Six Elizabethan Songs.” The piece is light and chirpy and reminds me of something one might hear at a renaissance fair.
9:35 p.m. I continue working on the latest chapter in my memoir draft and bake brookies for my classmates, ahead of nonfiction class tomorrow.
Day Three
6 p.m. I’m loving my MFA nonfiction workshop this semester. Tonight, we discuss the beginnings of four memoirs, including Anthony Bourdain’s “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly,” and the use of dialogue in nonfiction pieces.
Day Four
5 p.m. Before my Thursday night class (Reading Like a Writer), I wander around Butler’s campus with my 90s-era Polaroid CoolCam. The camera isn’t perfect. It leaves some smudges on each picture, but I think that adds to their appeal.
I eat a turkey and cheddar Lunchable for dinner. Lunchables and Uncrustables have been lifesavers for me, since I eat on the run a lot.
9:30 p.m. After class, I meet my husband at Shallo’s, a fantastic pub and restaurant on the southside, and have a second, more substantial dinner of a cheeseburger and onion rings (the Lunchable wasn’t quite enough).
Day Five
6 p.m. I’m rehearsing the Argento piece at home. This behavior puzzles both of my dogs. George, a Shetland sheepdog/Labrador mix, often barks at me, while Mikey reacts with very cute head tilts.
Day Six
11 a.m. I meet one of my classmates at the West Perry library branch to write. We end up not doing much (ok, any) writing, but it’s really fun to catch up.
6:59 p.m. After I get home from the library and grocery shopping, I spend three hours polishing my memoir chapter before cutting myself off and sending it to my nonfiction professor and classmates just before seven.
Day Seven
1:11 p.m. At the Heidelberg Haus on the east side for German pastries. In addition to the bakery and full menu, the cafe has an astounding selection of German souvenirs and items for sale. You can even buy German groceries!
5 p.m. After reading some fiction story submissions for Booth, and sending a couple of them to our team of fiction readers for further review, I get back to my music.
I’m practicing a Franz Schubert piece where I’m attempting to sing and play the piano. It’s a little bit like rubbing your tummy and patting your head at the same time, but it’s so satisfying in the moments where everything clicks into place.
Culture Journal is a series that shares a week in the cultural lives of Indy residents. If you are interested in submitting a journal, email arts and culture editor Jennifer Delgadillo at jennifer.delgadillo@mirrorindy.org and tell us about yourself.
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