Assoc. Prof. Maureen Stanton has always liked a good story. She enjoyed writing papers at school and in journals at home and liked finding the stories around her in friends and family. After writing for nonprofit environmental foundations, Stanton decided to follow her dream back to creative writing.
鈥淲riting has been in me for a long time, and I鈥檓 not sure why. Maybe I was a storyteller in a former life,鈥� says Stanton. 鈥淚 always loved creative writing, but didn鈥檛 know how to do it as a job. So I went back to school and found a way to make a living from what I love.鈥�
Stanton specializes in literary journalism, applying literary techniques to true stories. Her recent book, "," followed an antique-dealing friend, pseudonym Curt Avery, on his rise through the industry. Dealers, restorers and buyers are Stanton鈥檚 characters, Avery鈥檚 travels her plot and the turbulent antique business her setting. The Massachusetts Book Award for Nonfiction was a fitting homecoming present when Stanton returned to New England from the Midwest.
鈥淚 enjoyed the Midwest but always knew I wasn鈥檛 staying there permanently,鈥� says Stanton. 鈥淚鈥檝e done enough wandering and it feels good to be home with a job I really enjoy.鈥�
After teaching mostly graduate and advanced students in her previous position, Stanton is teaching personal reflective writing and introduction to creative writing courses. She鈥檚 excited to teach the beginnings of writing to students and watch their progression as writers.
鈥淚鈥檓 also really enjoying the diversity of students at the University,鈥� says Stanton. 鈥淓veryone has such different voices and stories to tell.鈥�