An Interview with Randall Shreve

by Frank Richards

What made you decide to become a facilitator?

WVU was meant to be a shared experience. The motto is writers helping writers and there's a measure of give and take to the model, where we all share roles and the more time we spend on each side the more benefit we get.  Facilitators are always needed, so if you aren't actively taking classes, it's a good way to give back to the community and get more class time while you're at it.

Has being a facilitator affected you writing?

It's helped me to be more critical of my own writing. That glass of scrutiny works when you turn it around too. I don't think I put quite as much effort into making sure everything was on point before. I'm a little more self judgy now.

What tips do you have for a newbie facilitator?

It's a little intimidating at first, but don't let that keep you from starting. We always need facilitators and moderators, so there's plenty opportunity for practice.

 Have you taught or facilitated classes outside of WVU?

I have not. I've helped someone where I could, but my experiences with local writing groups have not been entirely pleasant or productive ones, so I tend to stay away.

 What has been your favorite class or classes to facilitate? 

I haven't really come across one I didn't like.

 How much time does it take to research and prepare for each class? And to give feedback? As a facilitator, what other kinds of things do you spend time on? 

I'd say that depends on the class and what it needs. Some are simple straight-forward-cakewalk type classes. Some of the more advanced MFA classes are going to need you to be more proactive. Giving feedback for me falls partly into a matter of who is taking the class and what they need. If there's someone who isn't getting much feedback, that's where I start. The general suggestion is to look at who has the fewest replies and start there to help ensure everyone gets some input on their post. Sometimes it can be hard, because you just don't know what to say, so the best you can do is to find something productive to discuss.

It always helps facilitating if you know the material. Usually by that first day of a class, I've gone through the reading two or three times. For L300- A Lesson Before Dying, I've read that book about five or six times. Facilitating gives me an excuse to read it again.

Please share what you’d like to on your special love of writing. Is there some aspect of writing which really intrigues you?

There's something about that ah-ha moment when something finally clicks for you, and your writing moves up a notch in caliber. Consistent work and practice usually translate to consistent movement up the scale. I've been short listed on a couple small-time contests, but no wins or noteworthy publications yet. Still, not something I'd have been able to do before WVU. I'll get there. Possibly sooner than later, but it won't be without putting in the work.

 What classes have you taken here?

I'm almost four years into a three-year certificate, with a little over half the credit requirements met.