William Conescu was the first.
The first, that is, to graduate with a masters of fine arts in creative writing, a program started three years ago that is the only one of its kind in the Triangle. It draws the attention of students worldwide.And Conescu, who is celebrating the release of his first book, Being Written, just improved the program’s track record.
“It’s been a long and exciting wait,” Conescu, whose book actually began as the thesis for his graduate degree, said. “It’s something I’m very proud of, and it’s so surreal now that it’s out.”
When he left N.C. State in the fall of 2005, Conescu had a finished draft of the story and had initially intended to publish the story as an anchor novella with a collection of short stories. However, after several drafts and advice from his agent, Conescu joined with publisher Harper-Perennial to release the book earlier this month.
The book follows Daniel Fischer, a man who knows he is a minor character in a novel and will do anything to earn more page time. The novel hits a major chord among college students because it taps into the struggle young people face when trying to find their ways in the world.
Conescu’s work has been praised by Publishes Weekly, fellow authors and his former professors.
“He’s worked on it for years and years,” MFA Creative Writing Director Wilton Barnhardt said. Barnhardt worked closely with Conescu while he was a graduate student and was a part of the committee that reviewed his thesis. “Each time, he was willing to rewrite the whole thing over from scratch, and in every case he changed and rewrote the book for the better.” Barnhardt said determination and perseverance like this is how he can identify a good writer. Barnhadt said he has been able to see Conescu’s story and characters change over the years and has remained an influential part of Conescu’s life.
English professor John Kessel also worked with Conescu during his graduate school days.
“He was really bright, ambitious and eager to write. His story had a very quirky idea behind it,” Kessel said. Kessel taught Conescu in his fiction writing workshop his first year and worked with him on the story in his class. “Some parts are funny and some are scary. It had promise from the beginning and it’s really evolved.”
Conescu, although he’s excited about his novel’s debut, said he is also nervous about how the novel will be received.
“So much of the success of a new novel depends on word of mouth, especially in young adults and college students. It’s scary wondering how people will find out about it.”
Those at the MFA creative program, however, have a lot of faith in Conescu’s work. “We are very proud of William to be the first graduate and to be selling his first book,” says Kessel. Barnhardt describes it as a leap of faith taken by both Conescu and the program. “We had faith in him but he also had a lot of faith in us.”
Although NCSU is known for its engineering and agriculture programs, Barnhardt and Kessel agree that bringing in more humanities programs like the MFA in creative writing is the future of the University.
“The University has been very supportive and wants to be known as more than just engineering and agriculture,” Kessel said. Though the program is young, its success in producing flourishing writers such as Conescu proves much promise for the future. “We can hold our own with any other program in the United States,” Barnhardt said.”Five of our poets have had major publications and we have produced three novelists.”
The University also has an advantage by being the only school in the Triangle to offer such a program. Although UNC-Chapel Hill has an undergraduate program in English and writing, the school lacks a graduate program for those like Conescu who want to continue to study writing.
He describes how he has always loved living in the Triangle and was thrilled to be able to continue his studies here. Conescu said Raleigh provides a diverse stomping ground for writers and artists, and an opportunity for writers to connect and share with each other.
“So much of writing is about your relationship with your teachers and the feedback you get from others,” he said. “It’s important as a writer to become part of a writing community.”
Conescu started a book tour in the Triangle area that included a stop at the SPARKcon festival last weekend and a reading at Quail Ridge Books and Music on Wednesday night. He does have another novel in the works and has completed a first draft.
“It’s the realization of a lifelong dream and I’m so excited that it’s happening.”
