Sarah Stevenson is in her senior year at Arizona State University majoring in Creative Writing. She is currently writing and illustrating a children’s book for her Honor’s Thesis Project. This is Sarah’s first semester at the Superstition Review.
1. What is your position with Superstition Review and what are your responsibilities?
I am the Fiction Editor at Superstition Review and my responsibilities are to solicit work from 20 authors, read and vote on submissions, send acceptance/rejection emails and post bios and head shots for those authors we accept.
2. Why did you decide to get involved with Superstition Review?
I wished to gain some experience outside of a classroom, and Superstition Review seemed a perfect fit.
3. Besides interning for Superstition Review, how do you spend your time?
During the school year my life is pretty much consumed with school and work (at Starbucks), but I try and make time to read and paint and spend time with my friends and family.
4. What other position(s) for Superstition Review would you like to try out?
I would have liked to try the position of Art Editor, if only because my love of art is right up there with my love of fiction.
5. Describe one of your favorite literary works.
I am particularly in love with The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne because it raises some fascinating questions on morality and community and the foundations of this country. I could write paper after paper on that book and not get bored.
6. What are you currently reading?
These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner. It is another favorite of mine – partially because it takes place in Arizona around the 1880s but mostly because the main character is perhaps one of the most spirited, entertaining, and realistic characters I have ever read. It is part adventure, part history, part romance, and no matter how many times I read it, it still gets me every time.
7. Creatively, what are you currently working on?
At the moment I am working on my Honor’s Thesis Creative Project, which is to write and illustrate a children’s book. It is proving to be a great deal more work than the traditional Honor’s Thesis, but I figure if nothing else it is a wonderful diversion from the normal literary analysis, and an excuse to paint frequently.
8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Honestly, I have no idea. At the moment I can see my life branching out in so many different directions that the future remains quite a mystery to me. All I can do is hope that in 10 years I am happy, and that I have no regrets about which branch I chose to follow.
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Thank you for the recommendation of Nancy E. Turner’s book “These is my Words.” Sounds like a fascinating read. And good luck with your thesis project–it sounds rewarding.
I enjoy The Scarlet Letter as well. There’s so much symbolism; it can definitely be read multiple times.
Your Honors Thesis sounds like a really great project idea. I’m an English Lit major, and I’ve been trying to brainstorm creative ideas for my thesis. Good luck!
Sarah-
It’s great to hear that you’re already working on a major project in fiction. I’d love to see the finished product. Thanks for always being so helpful in OUR fiction section at SR.
-Maria A.
Maria-
Thank YOU! You were a fantastic co-editor- it is always nice to have a partner in crime (or confusion).
-Sarah
I love that you are interested in Children Literature. Last semester I took a children’s Literature class and was shocked to see how difficult it really is to make an educational or even appropriate children’s book. Its also sad to think that a few decades ago, there were such amazing poetry books for children (like the poems from Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss). We need someone as wonderful and fun as these authors today and in the future. Maybe one day you can be the Dr. Seuss of the next generation!
I love that you chose to write a children’s book for your Honor Thesis Creative Project – I’ve never heard of anyone choosing that as their topic and I bet it was a great project!
I also love the Scarlett Letter, Hawthorne is an incredible author. It was great reading about you!