Author: fernandt

ENG 428 is required for students in the BFA in Writing & Applied Art program with a Professional & Technical Writing emphasis. It is also a suggested option for those with a Community Storytelling emphasis, and it would be a fun and helpful class for any BFA emphases. The course is repeatable, which is great for sophomores and juniors looking to build leadership over time.

Through an internship with The Green Bay Press Times, he already knew he enjoyed the atmosphere at Multi Media Channels, which runs many papers throughout the state of Wisconsin. After graduation, Coonce reached out to his former editor, who had overseen his internship to ask if there were any openings. Kate Leonhardt, the editor of The Green Bay Press Times, created a temporary position for him until his current role as associate editor of Wausau City Pages, a free weekly arts and entertainment newspaper, became available.

Networking had proven time and again to help students succeed after graduation. Although Coonce thought he was prepared when he left UWGB, his first month was spent feeling like a fraud. “It was hard to fight off the imposter syndrome, but patience, good humor, and honest feedback from the staff at the Green Bay office kept me afloat.” Establishing a strong support system and discovering through Google that he wasn’t alone helped him process these feelings.

Coonce advised keeping the first month at a new job free of outside obligations. The transition to a full-time job after operating on a student schedule could be exhausting. Allowing time to decompress and focus on enjoyable activities helped ease the change. He also suggested being honest about one’s abilities. “You’ll save yourself and your coworkers a headache or ten by just admitting you’re kind of a noob in the grand scheme of things.” He encouraged students to never be afraid to reach out and take a chance on their future.

It goes without saying that life can be a challenge at times. So, when the going gets rough, you have to ask yourself “Whatever will I do?!” Well, never fear, because our Quill contributors have you covered! Some of them believe that a good book can be the answer to all of your problems, so for this issue, we decided to focus on the books that they find comfort in when times are tough.

The Lord of the Rings
by J.R.R. Tolkien

Alright, I know what some of you are probably thinking: “Seriously, Noah, you find comfort in one of the most complex fictional worlds known to man? You should try brushing up on a book that isn’t almost as old as sliced bread instead!” And to that I say yes, yes I do. And no, I don’t think I will.

It goes without saying that J.R.R. Tolkien’s 1954 novel The Lord of the Rings is one of the most influential fictional works of the modern age. The sequel to his 1937 novel The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings has laid the groundwork for many high fantasy stories to follow, llow, such as Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time and Terry Brooks’ Shannara Chronicles. Not to mention, it places readers into a fictional world that just feels … real. How is it that elves, dwarves, and hobbits can feel like fully functioning cultures that have their own beliefs, customs, and languages? I’ve been reading and re-reading this book for nearly 15 years, and it still never fails to amaze me. The world the story takes place in, Middle Earth, is such a complex, intricate realm, and it’s so easy to get lost in all of the magic, mystery, and myth.

Despite the complexities of Middle-earth, the main story is surprisingly simple. It follows the adventures of Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who inherits a magic ring from his uncle Bilbo. This “magic ring” is much more than a mere trinket, as the very fate of the world will depend on who claims it. And Frodo, alongside his trusty companion Samwise Gamgee, will have to embark on a quest unlike any other to destroy it once and for all. It is a story of loyalty, perseverance, and overcoming the influence of evil. However, when it’s all said and done, Frodo will not be the same hobbit.

I could go on forever about my love of The Lord of the Rings and how it came to be, but for the sake of time, I’ll paint you a picture. Imagine a five-year-old boy, sitting down with his parents to watch a movie — one that he was admittedly far too young to watch — and falling madly in love with the characters and world they live in to the point of no return. That’s exactly what happened to me when I first watched Peter Jackson’s 2001 film adaptation of The Fellowship of the Ring, the first part of The Lord of the Rings. And I haven’t looked back since. As I got older, I began to delve more into the source material, reading both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings more than a dozen times over. But I haven’t stopped there. I’ve also moved on to 1977’s The Silmarillion and 1983-1986’s 12-volume series The History of Middle Earth, both of which were intended to expand upon the lore beyond The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. My point is, I’m a little obsessed, and if I’m ever having a bad day, you can expect to find me in a corner with a stack of these books by my side.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy is a beautifully illustrated and deeply moving book that can resonate with readers of any age. The story follows the journey of four unlikely friends — a boy, a mole, a fox, and a horse — as they explore themes of kindness, friendship, and self-acceptance.

The narrative is structured as a series of conversations and reflections, each offering a topic for the reader to meditate on. All the characters’ interactions throughout the book show the importance of having compassion, understanding, and the courage to be yourself around others. I love how the author is able to convey these themes in a gentle, accessible manner. The stunning artwork that goes alongside the narrative is a wonderful addition, and it makes the story a beautiful blend of visual and literary art.

This book has always been one of my comfort reads for many reasons. Sometimes when I’m just having a bad day, I’ll throw on the audiobook version and listen for the hour it takes to finish the book. Its gentle wisdom and heartfelt messages remind me to slow down and appreciate the simple joys in life. I typically reach for it when I’m in a slump or bad mood, just for the reminder that I should be kind to myself, even in tough times.

Whenever you need a moment of calm or a reminder of the goodness in the world, I recommend reading this book and finding comfort in its pages. Whether you’re reading it for the first time or the tenth, it never fails to tell you exactly what you need to hear.