In this series, we’re trying out engaging approaches to office and departmental blog posts. These inspiration posts are intended to help anyone who’s suffering from “blogging block.”

A new take on a familiar form

One idea to get you blogging: ask a staff or faculty member five fun questions — the kind of questions they don’t often get a chance to answer. Add a casual photo and you’ve got an entertaining post.

As an example, we visited with Jen Murvin, senior instructor in the English department.

Q: What is your favorite album ever?

A: Tom Petty’s Wildflowers.

Q: What would you tell yourself at 20?

A:  Dear Jen at 20,

I’m going to quote George Saunders to you, darling, so listen up:

“Since, according to me, your life is going to be a gradual process of becoming kinder and more loving: Hurry up. Speed it along. Start right now. There’s a confusion in each of us, a sickness, really: selfishness. But there’s also a cure. So be a good and proactive and even somewhat desperate patient on your own behalf — seek out the most efficacious anti-selfishness medicines, energetically, for the rest of your life.

“Do all the other things, the ambitious things — travel, get rich, get famous, innovate, lead, fall in love, make and lose fortunes, swim naked in wild jungle rivers (after first having it tested for monkey poop) – but as you do, to the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness. Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial.

“That luminous part of you that exists beyond personality — your soul, if you will — is as bright and shining as any that has ever been. Bright as Shakespeare’s, bright as Gandhi’s, bright as Mother Teresa’s. Clear away everything that keeps you separate from this secret luminous place. Believe it exists, come to know it better, nurture it, share its fruits tirelessly.”

Also – throw away that sweater, you know the one. And read everything; it will help prepare you. Xo.

Love,

Jen

Q: What do you dream of doing besides teaching/current job?

A: In another life, I’m a back-up singer for a sort of bluesy-jazzy female artist. Singing harmony is my favorite, and I’m too shy to take center-stage. I also dream of living by the ocean – view, short walk, daily swim, shell-collecting.

Q: What is the worst advice you have ever received?

A: Stop wearing high heels. *Never.

Q: What is one day you would relive?

A: The day I gave birth to my son. (Thank you, epidural.) That was truly the most incredible experience of my life; I’d love to relive that moment I first saw him and held him.