Past Intern Updates: Christina Arregoces

Christina Arregoces, Issue 7 Art Editor and Issue 8 Interview Coordinator, discusses her pursuit of literary outlets and plans for the future.

HeadshotAfter interning at Superstition Review my freshman and sophomore year, I went on to immerse myself in any (and every) literary outlet I could. From ASU’s State Press Magazine to Lux Undergraduate Creative Review, from the Barrett Chronicle to Every Day Fiction, I applied for, submitted to, reported for, and wrote for just about every publication that I was lucky enough to stumble upon.

And between papers, classes, and incredible mentors during the next year and a half, I then stumbled upon copywriting.

I now happily work as a part time copywriter at a marketing firm in Tempe, and I plan to continue there until I graduate in 2014.

Until then? I’ll be hard at work on my creative writing Honors Thesis, while continuing to write for the Washington D.C. based blog, Spike the Watercooler.

After then? Well, that’s a good question. Though I’m planning on taking the LSAT this June, I’m still considering applying to a handful of MFA programs, with the end goal of getting my PhD and teaching at a collegiate level (hopefully, somewhere in California) in mind.

Let’s just say I’ll be doing quite a bit of breath holding come next fall.

Intern Highlight: Zari Panosian

Fiction Editor Zari Panosian is a junior at Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University where she is pursuing concurrent degrees in European History and English (Creative Writing). Her one-act play, Late, was selected as part of the Arizona Women’s Theatre Company’s Pandora Playwriting Festival and the Pandora Showcase in 2010. In addition to her passion for writing, Zari has aspirations to attend law school upon her graduation in 2013. This is her first semester at Superstition Review.

In the link below, Zari shares one of her strongest influences and inspirations.

Zari Panosian

Intern Highlight: Christina Arregoces

 

Interview Editor Christina Arregoces is a sophomore at Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University. She is studying Creative Writing as an English major and has a focus in fiction. She is a writer for The State Press, and is the recipient of the 2011 Jane Shaw Jacobs Award for Fiction. Upon graduating in 2014, she hopes to attend law school and pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer, while continuing to cultivate her love of writing. This is her second semester at Superstition Review, and she is looking forward to being an Interview Editor this time around.

Click on the link below to watch a video where Christina gives us an insight into her writing.

Christina Arregoces

Meet the Interns: Christina Arregoces

Art Editor Christina Arregoces is a freshman studying English (Creative Writing) at Arizona State and is a student of Barrett, The Honors College. She is a writer for The State Press weekly podcast and recently had two of her short stories selected for publication in the 2011 spring edition of Lux literary magazine. Upon graduating in 2014, she hopes to attend law school and pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer, while continuing to cultivate her love of writing. This is her first semester at Superstition Review, and she is looking forward to every moment of it.

1. What is your position with Superstition Review and what are your responsibilities?

My position with Superstition Review is Art Editor. As one of the Art Section Editors, I am responsible for reviewing pieces by various artists whose work will be featured in the seventh issue. My responsibilities include corresponding with contributors.

2. Why did you decide to get involved with Superstition Review?

I love to read and write creatively and I hope to one day have a career as a publisher. So as soon as I heard about Superstition Review, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I knew it would be a great opportunity for me to get a sense of what I want to do for the rest of my life, and I can’t wait to begin to delve into it.

3. How do you like to spend your free time?

I’m a huge reader; it’s a rare day that I don’t have my hands on a book for at least half an hour or so. I also love to spend time with my best friends and just relax with my roommate.

4. What other position(s) for Superstition Review would you like to try out?

I’d like to try out the Fiction Editor position. As a reader and a writer, I’d love to get the chance to read submissions and stumble upon stories that I’ve never come across before.

5. Describe one of your favorite literary works.

I really can’t tell you how excited I was for this question. My all time favorite literary work (and it was difficult making my list, but this novel just tops all others) is The Book Thief, a novel by Australian author Markus Zusak. Though I’ve read dozens of books about the Holocaust, I’ve never in my life come across a book like this. The story follows a little girl named Liesel, her adopted family, and her friendship with a Jewish man hiding from the Nazis in her family’s basement. But the story isn’t told through her eyes; Zusak’s narrator is none other than the surprisingly-human Death himself. The book is beautiful and heart breaking and the moment I picked it up, I fell in love with it. To this day, no other book has ever affected me so much.

6. What are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger. I like to break up novels with short stories, so after I finished Choke by Chuck Palahniuk, I moved on to Salinger. I’m only on the fifth story but I’m already sad the end is so close.

7. Creatively, what are you currently working on?

I typically like writing short stories, so I’m currently working on a longer one that I’ve been writing for months now.

8. What inspires you?

My past mainly inspires me. People, places, moments that I remember, as well as stories I’ve heard from family and friends. I love the moments I see day to day; from interactions between people on the sidewalk to snippets of conversation that make no sense until the holes are filled in with words.

9. What are you most proud of?

Right now, I’m most proud of a writing contest I won for a short story that I submitted. As a newly published writer, every publication opportunity that comes along excites me like crazy.

10. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years, I see myself smiling and writing. Hopefully, I’ll be working as a publisher, surrounded by words and books, with several more stories on their way. I’d also love to buy a dog; I plan on getting a pug and naming him Doyle.

Meet The Interns: Brandy Winchester

Brandy Winchester is a senior at Arizona State University. She plans on graduating in May of 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a focus on culture. After her graduation she would like to attend a law school in Arizona. Her long term career goals consist of graduating from law school to then go on to practicing in family law; specializing in divorce cases. This is her second semester interning for Superstition Review.

1. What is your position with Superstition Review and what are your responsibilities?

This semester my position is Art Editor which consists of finding and reviewing artists for our upcoming issue 7. After the review process I will be responsible for viewing and rating the art submissions and staying in contact with the artists.

2. Why did you decide to get involved with Superstition Review?

I decided to get involved with Superstition Review last semester as a way of exposing myself to the art of publication. After last semester I grew very fond of the program and decided to return for another issue.

3. How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy spending my free time outside as much as possible. I like to hike and experience new places. I’m a dreamer and can easily spend an entire “free” day planning new trips and adventures to conquer.

4. What other position(s) for Superstition Review would you like to try out?

If I were to intern with Superstition Review for a third semester I would like to try out the submissions coordinator position because I think it would be a challenge and in the end I would walk away with a lot of good experience.

5. Describe one of your favorite literary works.

My favorite literary work is Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. This piece is my favorite because it is a touching story that takes the reader through a trip “to the other side.” The issues presented in the book are raw but also life altering. It is a book for every reader.

6. What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading Mama Might Be Better Off Dead By Laurie Kaye. This novel addresses the health care issues that the United States has by putting it into perspective through an African-American family.

7. Creatively, what are you currently working on?

I am currently working on learning how to play the guitar. I had formal guitar lessons as a child but I never followed through with it. A few days ago I went and purchased a cheap guitar with the intent to pick it back up and this time actually follow through with it.

8. What inspires you?

People inspire me. I have always been a people watcher. I enjoy sitting and observing others. This is what inspires me to write because I strive to capture my visions.

9. What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of myself. I shock myself on a regular basis with the new things I try and that I accomplish. I try to never stop dreaming, and with that I plan to never stop doing.

10. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years I see myself with a B.A. in English Literature, a B.A. in Anthropology, and a J.D. in law. I will be practicing family law, specializing in divorce cases. And I hope that I am still living life to the fullest every day!

Meet The Interns: Brandy Winchester

Brandy Winchester is a senior at Arizona State University. She plans on graduating in May of 2011 with a Bachelor in English Literature, and a minor in Anthropology. After her graduation she would like to attend a law school in Arizona. Her long term career goals consist of graduating from law school to then go onto practicing in family law; specializing in divorce cases. This is her first intern position at Superstition Review and she looks forward to the experience.

1. What is your position with Superstition Review and what are your responsibilities?

My current position is Poetry Editor, and my responsibilities consist of composing a list of poets to contact for submission, receiving and reviewing poetry submissions, maintaining contact with the poets, and assisting with the finalizing of the selected poetry for publishing.

2. Why did you decide to get involved with Superstition Review?

I have always had a passion for poetry, and I found Superstition Review to be a great way for me to become involved in the publishing of poetry.

3. Besides interning for Superstition Review, how do you spend your time?

Being a full-time student I spend most of my time on campus, and when I am not on campus I enjoy spending my time with friends and family, and volunteering on the weekends at local animal shelters.

4. What other position(s) for Superstition Review would you like to try out?

I would be interested in trying the fiction editor position because of my love for creative writing.

5. Describe one of your favorite literary works.

My favorite literary work is Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. This piece is my favorite because it is a touching story that takes the reader through a trip “to the other side.” The issues presented in the book are raw but also life altering; a book for every reader.

6. What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading Dante Alighieri’s Inferno.

7. Creatively, what are you currently working on?

I am currently working on my personal statement for my applications to law school.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years I see myself with a B.A. in English Literature, and a J.D. in law. I will be practicing family law; specializing in divorce cases. And I hope that I am still living life to the fullest every day!