carver became interested in writing in california. he had moved there with his family because his mother-in-law had a home in paradise. carver attended a creative-writing course taught by the novelist john gardner. gardner became his mentor and had a major influence on carver's life and career. carver continued his studies first at chico state university and then at humboldt state college in arcata, california, where he studied with richard cortez day. carver received his b.a. in 1963. during this period he was first published and served as editor for the university literary magazine called toyon. carver included some of his own writing under pen names. he later attended the iowa writers' workshop, at the university of iowa, for one year. maryann graduated from san jose state college in 1970 and taught english at los altos high school until 1977.