testimonials

testim-onials

Testimonials from those who have taken The Lab Live or studied with Matthew.

those who have taken The Lab

I attended The Lab twice and each time I got so much out of it. Matthew Clark Davison features writers, present topics and concocts exercises that are so well thought out and relevant. He is an amazing teacher. I love his dedication and his word nerd-ness, all of which help guide me to generate energy and commitment to my own writing practice. I will definitely attend The Lab again.

In The Lab, I was stimulated, inspired and learned so much. Matthew Clark Davison's lessons are engaging and thought provoking. As an avid reader and general culture "consumer," I was amazed that each class he presented new content which I had never encountered before. Matthew's writing exercises were thoughtful and intentional, but also approachable. I appreciated how Matthew created a supportive group writing environment. He accommodated everyone's preferences - people who wanted to share their writing with the group could share, and those who preferred not to do so were not pressured. The group feedback was always positive and constructive. I loved the writing environment Matthew created and look forward to taking another session of The Lab in the future.

The Lab was the highlight of my Autumn. I came to the Lab in a post-MFA rut, eager to continue working on my project but not sure how to keep the story in motion. Matthew’s lessons taught me how to thoughtfully consume other forms of art as a writer, how to look at a photograph or listen to a podcast, pinpoint what I appreciate about it and attempt to incorporate that quality into my own writing. It was an education in storytelling mediums, how the work of John Cameron Mitchell and Tina Louise Blevins and Lyle Ashton Harris can speak to each other. Each week I learned how to glean various tools from these artists for use in my own craft, a skill I hope to continue to use in the future.

Devan Brettkelly

those who sought help on MFA applications

It's always a bit unnerving sharing a story with an accomplished writer and as a novice writer applying to MFA Programs, I found myself rather intimidated, overwhelmed and exposed. Matthew established a disarming sense of comfort that immediately put all fear and worry to rest. Our discussions were illuminating, and provided me the a means of uncovering the real direction of my work. He was able to draw purity from my words, revealing prose that carried much more substance and focus. He was always flexible with regards to schedule. Matthew's insight and expertise propelled me through this process with a comfort and confidence I was unable to obtain on my own. I cannot thank him enough and look forward to working with him again in the future.

Working with Matthew has proven invaluable during the MFA application process. In looking at my manuscript, he gave solid advise that would not have occurred to me otherwise, but more importantly, I found the required personal statement most tedious. How to 'sell' yourself, how to position yourself, in the midst of hundreds of applications for the same program, was quite difficult, and only with Matthew's professional advice was I able to write a concise, accurate and creative statement. What I came away with was not only a fighting chance at admittance, but also a solid personal and professional relationship with Matthew. In the event that I get in to the MFA program, my gratitude to him will be deservedly a great deal.

those who have worked one-on-one with MCD

Matthew enters stories with boundless curiosity, challenging the writer to find the deepest nuance of character and most taut story arc. He possesses the ability to hone in on places of unexplored tension and possibility--sometimes just a single line--but developing that one aspect can bring a vast depth or complexity to the story telling. Really it is the passion that he arouses within the writer about his or her own work that is remarkable. No matter how stuck I am, always after working with Matthew, I reenter the world of my story with a renewed sense of vigor and possibility.

Mary Michael Wagner, fiction writer, teacher, O. Henry Award and Pushcart Prize Winner

Matthew Davison is a rare talent. He is a gifted and versatile writer of many mediums; he is smart enough to be truly humorous, real enough to cut to your heart, and deep enough to make you hungry. In the critical process, Matthew offers wise and compassionate feedback. And for me, he has the depth of insight, craft in his bones, and a gift of communicating that not only empowers the work, but inspires the music. Best of all, in the sometimes dangerous “mix” of the creative and the critical, he makes me laugh.

Janice Mirikitani, Author of LOVE WORKS (City Lights Books), 2000 San Francisco Poet Laureate, Executive Director of The Glide Foundation.

Matthew Davison is a reader, teacher, editor, and writer of uncommon gifts. He has the insight to read a work-in-progress on its own terms, and the skills to engage the writer in a fertile process of discovery and development. You won’t find smarter, warmer, more stimulating guidance anywhere.

Michelle Carter, Winner of the 2000 PEN West Playwriting Award for Hillary and Soon-Yi Shop for Ties, Professor of Creative Writing.