Like many other graduate students faced with the arduous task of deciding what to do to crown their time at Ball State, Haley Stevens was faced with this question when it was time to work on her creative project in the second year of her Master’s program in English-Creative Writing. Although the idea of The Starkeeper did not immediately come to her, she knew she wanted to create something that would reflect her artistic growth and the journey she had taken to get there. So, armed with that mindset, when it came time to choose a project, The Starkeeper, came to life.

The idea of The Starkeeper first came to her in 2022, during a month-long writing retreat in the wilderness of Colorado, Haley had an idea to challenge herself to write a book in just one month. This setting of vast landscapes and quiet inspiration became the incubator for what would eventually transform into a deeply personal, ambitious project that follows a young woman’s quest to uncover her mother’s past and grapple with her identity in the face of loss.

The Starkeeper follows Daisy Katz, a young woman wrestling with intergenerational trauma and the brutal reality of antisemitism after her mother is tragically murdered in a synagogue shooting. It’s a story of Jewish Mysticism, Queer love, and resilience as Daisy embarks on a journey not only to understand her mother but to discover herself. Themes of immigration, survival, and Jewish joy are central to the narrative, and the story was crafted to examine how beauty and love can flourish in the shadows of history.

The historical premise of this story required Haley to do a deep dive into Jewish literature and Surrealism – genres not extensively covered in her classes. This required books and materials that were not available to her, and she needed financial help to get these resources. Dr. Katy Didden, the Director of the Creative Writing Program at Ball State, came to her aid by introducing her to the Aspire Student Creative Grants. In her words, “With the Aspire Grant, I was able to purchase books, attend the AWP Conference in Kansas City, and even hire a Jewish Developmental Editor to help guide my work. It was empowering to know that the review committee saw potential in The Starkeeper and trusted me with their support to develop it”.

For her, the application process was surprisingly smooth, although she confesses that there were a few intense moments, as she learned about the grant just a week before the deadline. She admits this was ultimately beneficial as it pushed her to pull together her ideas quickly. She said, “Reflecting on it now, I’m grateful for the process—it pushed me to clarify my vision for The Starkeeper and sharpen my writing as I laid out my plans. Thankfully, I also had an incredible advisor who helped me fine-tune my application.”

The Aspire Grant enabled Haley to cover crucial aspects of her project. She said, “Because of this funding, I could buy the materials I needed to create the world I envisioned for Daisy and even hire an editor when my novel class was unexpectedly canceled”.

On what’s next for Hailey, she says, “I look ahead to my Fulbright Fellowship in Romania, where I plan to continue working on The Starkeeper and explore other stories grounded in Jewish history and identity.”

Her message to other students doing creative work is simple, “My advice is: do it! Aspire funding can be the missing piece that brings your project to life. If you’re wondering if your work is the right fit, reach out to the Aspire staff. The support, encouragement, and resources they provide are invaluable, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. The extra funds are more than just money—they’re an investment in your vision, in your education, and in the stories, you’re here to tell”.

Hailey Steven’s story is proof that the Aspire internal grant program can assist at any stage for a variety of creative projects. Ball State University remains committed to scholarship and excellence in research and creative pursuits, and every student (that means you!) should take advantage of it.

If you’re working on a creative project or even a research project, get yourself the help you need to see your work come to life. Visit the Aspire webpage to start your application. Good luck!