The Roosevelt University College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences was pleased to welcome acclaimed writer, educator and coach Ben Tanzer to campus for an evening of refreshments, readings and workshops. The event was hosted by the Creative Writing MFA Program and organized by Professor Jessica Anne Chiang. In a conference room overlooking Lake Michigan, a cohort of Roosevelt students and faculty members were treated to readings from Tanzer’s latest publications, as well as candidly poignant words of advice from their esteemed guest.
Ben Tanzer is an award-winning novelist, educator, creative strategist, publicist, podcaster and non-profit leader. A wearer of many hats, Tanzer shared the strategies he developed that allowed him to achieve his creative and professional goals. Fostering self-confidence ranks highly amongst those strategies. From the writing process to the art of selling your work to publishers, Tanzer cited self-confidence, and specifically overcoming insecurities, as one of the most important aspects of pursuing a career in the humanities. One example he offered was of his most recent publication, a novel titled The Missing, which was almost shelved by his agent before he took it upon himself to pitch the book to a colleague working at the independent press 7.13 Books. One piece of advice Tanzer received that he shared with his was audience was this: “If you believe in what you’re writing, and it gets rejected, just assume they’re wrong.” Resiliency was a recurring theme throughout his conversation, as well as consistency. One strategy that he’s held for the last 25 years is to write for 30 minutes every day. Tanzer describes his process as “not precious,” as he tries not to get encumbered by where he writes or how much he writes in that time. He even went on to describe how he amended but retained this process once he had children. These strategies, while seizing upon opportunities brought on by luck, have led to the career he enjoys today.
The cohort was treated to readings from his latest novel, The Missing, as well as selections from a yet to be released exciting work of non-fiction. With each of the readings, Tanzer answered questions about craft as well as process, and how he draws upon his lived experience. The event concluded with an interactive workshop for the benefit of the students in attendance. Ben Tanzer’s visit was as warm as it was instructive, and a testament to the opportunities provided by Roosevelt’s Creative Writing program.
Their next event is the MFA Graduate Reading, featuring the “wildly ambitious manuscripts” of students Ryan Amare & Emma Shankman on Friday, December 6 from 4:30—6 p.m. in the Sullivan Room.
