During the fall and spring semesters, we ask several of our students to complete a survey so that members of our community and potential applicants can get to know them a little better. Scroll down to see their answers and learn more about them!
Lachy
Name: Lachlan Bowden
Genre of study at BU: Fiction
Favorite thing about Boston (so far): The people I’ve met, The Sox, convenience stores
Writer that inspires you most: Karl Ove Knausgård or Claire Keegan or Flannery O’Connor
What you wanted to be when you grew up: A person who works with gorillas, lions, or tigers
Project you’re working on at BU: A novel
Favorite animal: Chimpanzee or Great White Shark
Poem, story, or essay you’re most excited to put on your syllabus: “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” by Salinger
Favorite movie: Trainspotting or Amélie
What made you want to be a writer: A collection of books I read while trying to be other things.
Favorite non-water beverage: Red wine or a negroni
What made you want to apply to BU: the program’s history + the city + the faculty
Advice for folks considering applying to MFA programs: Go for fully funded (unless you’re loaded) + read the work of the programs’ alum
Gracie
Name: Gracie Barnett
Genre of study at BU: Poetry
Favorite thing about Boston (so far): The people! Everyone I’ve met has been perfectly lovely.
Writer that inspires you most: Virginia Woolf
What you wanted to be when you grew up: A writer!
Project you’re working on at BU: A manuscript of poems
Favorite animal: Lizards + cows
Poem, story, or essay you’re most excited to put on your syllabus: “An American Poem” – Eileen Myles
Favorite movie: The Wizard of Oz
What made you want to be a writer: I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to write. I’m sure my fondness for reading (instilled in me at a young age) had something to do with it.
Favorite non-water beverage: Black coffee
What made you want to apply to BU: It has a fabulous program!
Advice for folks considering applying to MFA programs: Apply! Do not be dissuaded by doubt!
Gray
Name: Gray Fons
Genre of study at BU: Fiction
Favorite thing about Boston (so far): All of the water & wildlife (turkeys, pigeons, rats, rabbits)
Writer that inspires you most: Dorothy Allison
What you wanted to be when you grew up: a writer or actor – famous?
Project you’re working on at BU: Some of the most deranged pseudo-autofiction
Favorite animal: Cats – I appreciate that we’re one of their favorite animals. Same with dogs.
Poem, story, or essay you’re most excited to put on your syllabus: “Life Among the Savages” by Shirley Jackson
Favorite movie: But I’m a Cheerleader
What made you want to be a writer: I care about storytelling more than anything else & I like that writing is a way to talk to strangers
Favorite non-water beverage: Cider from The Dugout (RIP)
Advice for folks considering applying to MFA programs: If possible, pick a school somewhere lovely. Email the programs. Make spreadsheets. Read anything you’ve been meaning to read.