We are excited to bring the next installment of The 14:55 Interview, a new series that takes a short, but deep dive into the writing life.
Get a glimpse into what makes your favorite creative types tick—from the writers who inspired them, to the weird habits that accompany the practice of writing, their favorite places in the world, and more. Each week, Sean Murphy, Executive Director of 1455, poses 15 questions in (less than) 15 minutes in this fast-paced and insightful series.
The Questions:
- The first book that made you want to be a writer?
(Or: what book changed your life?) - Your most profound artistic influence is?
- Album or movie you recommend without reservation?
- Best first (or last) line in any book, ever?
- Most underrated author?
- Why have you not read MOBY DICK?
(Or, which classic do you regret not reading?) - Is there a single theme or issue your work addresses?
- What’s your writing routine? (Or: do you believe in them?)
- Do you believe in writer’s block?
- Talk about the most significant setback (artistic or otherwise)
in your life? - How have you developed your career?
- Define or explain what literary success means to you.
- What do you wish you had known, as an artist, 10 or 20 years ago?
- Have you ever visited a writers retreat?
(If not, why; if so, how was your experience?) - One-minute exhortation for beginning writer looking for advice?
The Writers:
Our next two guests, the once and future kings of the GMU Writing Program, are Bill Miller and Gregg Wilhelm. Bios and videos, below.
William Miller, known in George Mason’s English department as Bill, directed the MFA Program in Creative Writing from 1992 until his retirement a couple of years ago, building it into the successful writing community it is today. He transformed the Fall for the Book Festival from an exciting idea into a living, breathing literary festival; he helped get the brand-new Stillhouse Press off the ground; and—among too many other projects to mention—he taught, ever since leaving his job as a journalist to get an MFA; from 1985 until 2018 he was teaching students every fall and spring. He was named Faculty Member of the Year in 2015, and has been widely published and is, without question, friend to all and hero to many, this writer very much included. Now “somewhat” retired, he lives with his wife in North Carolina.
Gregg Wilhelm is Director of Creative Writing at George Mason University and Co-Founder of Watershed Lit: Center for Literary Engagement and Publishing Practice, which was chartered by George Mason University in the fall of 2020. His expertise covers book publishing, arts administration, and higher education. He started his career at Johns Hopkins University Press, launched three imprints including one with a major independent bookseller, founded nonprofit literary arts organization CityLit Project in Baltimore and later launched its CityLit Press imprint. His short fiction, poetry, and nonfiction has appeared in various publications, and he is co-editor of CLASH BY NIGHT, a poetry anthology inspired by the Clash’s seminal “London Calling” album.
