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Creative Writing MFA Student Spotlight: Maria Lorenz

Creative Writing MFA Student Spotlight: Maria Lorenz

April 19, 2024
A blue background with yellow headers around the text. The Drexel University logo is at the bottom. The headings are in yellow and regular text is in white. The photos are black and white. A photo of Maria Lorenz, smiling in a drexel shirt, is on the left. They have short hair. The text reads, "How do you overcome challenges when writing? 'When I am writing, my biggest challenges usually revolve around creating clear narratives in my stories. I enjoy experimenting with timeline and place in my work. It can be a bit difficult sometimes to ensure that my stories are clear to the reader, while also allowing for a bit of mystery. One big thing that I do to overcome this challenge is to have as many friends and family as possible read my work and to let me know what they think is happening in my stories. This really helps give me an idea of which aspects are feeling confusing for readers and where I need to improve as a writer.' Why did you join Drexel's creative writing MFA program? 'I chose Drexel’s Creative Writing Program because I was extremely impressed with the personability and community-building aspects of the program. Nomi has designed such a wonderful program that offers a personal touch that is absolutely second to none. The warmth and sincerity of this program means the world to me, and I have already met and connected with so many lovely people!' What do you need in your writing space to help stay focused? 'The main thing that I need in my writing space to help me stay focused is a delicious snack to eat. Usually, I would get my favorite, which is an iced dirty chai latte with a double shot of espresso. Sometimes, I’ll even get a steaming bowl of ramen noodles or pasta of any kind to have with the chai latte.'"
The same background here and the photos are also black and white. The Drexel University logo is at the bottom. In the top right is Maria smiling in a flannel shirt. In the bottom left is Maria smiling in a dark sweater. The text reads, "How does your family inspire your work? 'My family inspires my writing in so many ways. I am endlessly grateful for their support and encouragement as I continue to balance my Drexel MFA journey with a demanding, and often draining, full-time non-profit role. My family specifically inspires and supports my writing by reading my work and providing honest feedback. I’m currently working on a piece and my parents commented on the lack of dialogue tags being confusing. This was especially helpful because it encouraged me to accentuate my characters’ idiosyncrasies and attributes. This made me be more directly clear when I write. I appreciate my family’s support, and I am forever grateful for their time and generosity in reading my work.' Quick Facts: From Gettysburg, PA Currently lives in NYC Favorite hobby is cooking, especially elaborate pasta dishes and noodle soup Loves all things Broadway, off Broadway, and musical theatre Favorite music is pop music Has two cats, Lily, a five-year-old orange tabby, and Layla, a nine-month-old torbie tween Favorite TV show is Yellowjackets and favorite movie is Legally Blonde Is a triplet Favorite color is bright neon hot pink, the brighter the better!"
2023-2024 Spotlights, MFA Student Spotlights

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