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One of the benefits of being part of an MFA program is the opportunity to meet other talented writers. Some of those talented writers are our peers in the program. I am always amazed by the creativity and life experiences of my classmates. For this reason, I have decided to feature interviews of some of these amazing MFA students. Today we will talk with Kristy Whilden, a mother of six, teacher, entrepreneur, former nurse, and music educator.
Welcome Kristy, How long have you been attending SNHU, and are you full-time or part-time?
Hello! I am currently part time but hoping to jump to full time in the summer. I transferred in one class from a different university and have finished 4 classes here at SNHU. So far so good 4.0 GPA 🙂
Why did you decide to pursue an MFA in Creative Writing?
I was a music educator for 10 years before I learned I was losing my hearing in 2014 from progressive sensorineural hearing loss. Through my depression at the thought of losing my music forever I walked away from my piano and turned to my favorite silent pastime, reading. With a new focus, I started to realize that there is not a ton of d/Deaf and HOH representation of characters in novels. Not only that, there are not a ton of novels with differently abled characters in general. I decided I wanted to change that.
That’s awesome! That’s a topic close to my heart. My work in progress features a bipolar protagonist. Can you clarify the terms d/Deaf and HOH for our readers?
Sure! It’s an identity. Lowercase d deaf is someone who did not grow up in the Deaf world. Their first language is English. They lip read, and they learn speech. The child’s focus in school is oralism. Someone who views themselves, or is viewed by others, as having a medical condition. Someone who does not grow up using ASL as their first language. Capital D Deaf is someone who grows up in the Deaf world. Someone whose first language is ASL. They may have Deaf parents/grandparents. It’s a culture that is very proud. They are wonderful people. I identify as a HOH (Hard of Hearing) late deafened adult moderate (left ear) to severe (right ear).
Yes, the distinction between societal labels and self-identification is extremely important. Many people view individuals with autism, ADHD, bipolar, etc. as having some sort of deficiency. However, those of us that prefer the term neurodivergent simply see ourselves as differently abled, as well.
You recently had a piece published in a book that will be released February 22nd. Does that project touch upon this topic?
Yes! The book I will be published in is called Dear Younger Self. The prompt was, “If you were to write a letter to your younger self what would you say?” Thirty letters were chosen to be included in this book each representing a different chapter. My chapter is called, “From A Shelter To CEO.” In my letter to my 30-year-old self, I take you on a rollercoaster of a ride through my hearing loss, an assault, to living in a shelter with my children, to picking up the pieces and starting a non-profit with my daughter. I am very proud to say that I am the Founder and CEO of Hands Up Silent Theatre. Our mission at Hands Up is to encourage the d/Deaf communities to learn more about, and be a part of, the performing arts and to encourage the hearing to learn ASL and interact with d/Deaf peers. Our vision is to create performances for the d/Deaf and hearing to enjoy as one! My daughter encouraged me to not lose my performing arts forever. Together we create theatrical performances using SIMCOM which is simultaneous communication of English and ASL.
How did you learn about this publishing opportunity? Tell other aspiring writers what that publishing process was like?
My friend Cori Solomon Santone was in a book similar to this one called Women Who Dream. She is also a CEO and I look up to her greatly. So, of course, I wanted to know how she checked this very big box off of her life goals. Her book became an international best seller. I’m very proud to be her friend. Kate Butler Books is the publishing company that created these two books that are a part of their Inspired Impact Book Series. Kate is a wonderful human and walked me through the process knowing that I was a first time author. She chose my story because she liked the fact that I wrote to my 30-year-old self instead of younger one like most of the others. She said my story was captivating and she thought many would benefit from reading it. Since I have been chosen, it has been a whirlwind of professional photos, professional editing, writing bios, choosing my front and back cover pictures, and learning how to navigate a book launch. She has been wonderful through the entire process. Our launch date is February 22nd and it will be available on Amazon!
Awesome can readers pre-order the book?
It won’t be available until the release date, but if they would like to email me at kristywhilden@gmail.com, I will gladly put them on my wait list and send them the link as soon as it’s available.
Perfect! I’ll make sure it is linked in this interview as soon as soon as it’s released.
Now, even though getting published is extremely exciting, our MFA program emphasizes the importance of “funding,” that is, earning enough money to live on while pursuing our creative writing goals. How do you support yourself as a writer?
I’m lucky to have a super supportive man in my life that wants me to be successful and supports me at home. But currently, I am a high school American Sign Language Musical Theater teacher at Our Lady of Mercy Academy. My teaching salary keeps me afloat to build my nonprofit and my writing career. I am a grant writer for my nonprofit, and with my portfolio growing, I can see myself also as a freelance grant writer.
As someone who works in higher education, I can definitely say there is always a need for grant writers!
I have been learning a lot from our MFA program. Which course did you find the most valuable in the MFA program so far and why?
That’s a very hard question. MFA-509 Storytelling or MFA-602 The Business of Writing so far have been my favorite for very different reasons. Not coming from an English background (my BA is in Psychology) I found Storytelling to be super helpful to learn story structure. Owning a few businesses throughout my life I did find the Business of Writing very interesting. It is great to learn all of the different ways to make money as an author.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers or individuals who may be considering enrolling in a creative writing program?
Do it!!! Absolutely just do it. I feel we are all walking around with stories inside of us. I feel people are very interesting and their stories even more so. The best advice I can give is to just write. Pick up the pen and get started. Who cares if your first draft is terrible. First drafts are meant to be terrible 🙂 My challenge to everyone is to include a differently abled character in everything you write. Of course, you need to do research and always be culturally aware so as not to offend.
Great advice, cultural sensitivity is extremely important. Sensitivity readers are a great idea anytime a writer includes diverse characters in a novel.
Do you have a current work in progress? If so, tell us about it.
I do! I have a few ideas floating around in my head and some started. It was very difficult to choose which story I wanted to use for my thesis novel. Right now I am working on a fantasy and a thriller but I am also super interested in historical fiction. I don’t want to go into detail of what they are about just yet as I’m still fleshing out my stories. I have chosen the contemporary track for my thesis because it covers both thriller and historical fiction. I recently published an article for the Elmer Times newspaper about my theater’s Deaf night out at Santa’s mailbox in Elmer NJ. Also, I have an article coming out in a magazine soon about Dear Younger Self and will keep you updated once it is published!
Kristy Whilden has a BA from Rutgers University who owned a music school for over ten years. In 2014, Kristy was diagnosed with progressive sensorineural hearing loss. She went back to school and obtained a degree in Deaf Studies and American Sign Language from Rowan College at Burlington County. At this time her focus turned from music to musical theater. She wanted all d/Deaf eyes on the stage and not always having to rely on the interpreter on the floor. Hands Up Silent Theatre nonprofit was born. With Kristy as founder and CEO and her daughter Hailey as co-founder and COO, they encourage the d/Deaf to learn more about the performing arts and encourage the hearing to learn ASL and interact with d/Deaf peers. Together they create performances for the d/Deaf and hearing communities to enjoy as one!
Miss Whilden is now back in school getting her MFA in creative writing at Southern New Hampshire University. Although her life is d/Deaf theater, her real love is d/Deaf history and writing. As an aspiring author, published journalist, and playwright, Kristy is hoping to write novels with d/Deaf characters and representation of all abilities. It is also her goal to encourage everyone to learn ASL to help bridge communication gaps between the d/Deaf and hearing cultures and to promote inclusion and access in every aspect of life.
Photo Credits: Amy Bond Photography and One With Nature Photography with Toni Palma
Tricia M Foster 
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