MFA-ish
MFA-ish
I know there is value in an MFA and I may end up pursuing a degree in the future. In the mean time, though, I'm going to do all the things I know are a part of an MFA: reading (specifically, reading like a writer), study, thinking, experimenting, and lots of writing. Parts that I will have a more difficult time replicating are the connections-- namely, mentors and the other writers in one's cohort. So, I'm working on building that community by attending literary events and open mics. I'm going to keep track of my goals and if I'm accomplishing them (around the creation of new work and submitting to lit journals, scifi mags, and, of course, novel progress) and I will log what I'm reading. Which I've done for years, but I may feel led to annotate a bit. (I feel like that's something that you have to do for an MFA.)
Home MFA Wish List:
Mentors
Cohort of other writers (maybe a critique group?)
Book recommendations for learning about writing
CONNECT WITH ME VIA SOCIALS to make recommendations or join in!
@brittwriter on Instagram
@brittwriter on Threads
@brittwriter.bsky.social on Blue Sky
FYI: I will not be a terribly exciting person to follow. I have zero hot takes and eschew being an influencer -- I'm saving that energy time for the writing. I do feel compelled to tell people about the books I'm reading, though, and take pictures of pretty flowers.
THE BIG GOAL: Write a literary science fiction novel.
The Garden by Nick Newman (from some scifi recommended list)
The Bear by Andre Krivak (National Book Award Finalist)
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders (taking notes on this one, which was recommended by another writer friend in an MFA program)
How to Steal a Galaxy by Beth Revis (Ok, this one is mostly for fun. Yet, I've met her. She was a high school teacher in the county over and she writes fast-paced YA scifi and her personal experience of hard work makes me believe that I, too, can do this.)
North Continent Ribbon by Ursula Whitcher (She's a *mathematician* (swoon) and this book was short listed for the Ursula Le Guin Prize! Plus, it's short stories and I need to study those more closely.)
just ideas so far
no submissions; waiting to hear back from August submissions -
RESULTS from PSA fall contest: 3rd place in the "Peace Category" and I won prize $!
posting to socials, creating this page, registers for fall PSI event
Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky (sci-fi)
False Value by Ben Aaronovitch* (hilarious mystery series - speculative)
Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki (work in translation - cozy speculative)
On Becoming a Novelist by John Gardner - I didn't take notes on this one, but underlined frequently... it reaffirmed my plan for the next month which is to work through The Art of Styling Sentences by Ann Longknife, Ph.D and K.D. Sullivan and do the long, fundamental work of practicing writing the 20 different types of sentences included. His insights helped me to see my potential pitfalls moving from poetry and reminded me that one can learn. Perseverance in practice, self-believe, and editing is key.
Lots of articles about tomato seeds in space after I learned about the Park Seed - NASA project from the 1980s. HOW did I MISS THAT!?!
reworked old poems; began a short NF piece; wrote a long letter so I could trick myself into getting the NF piece spit out; rough drafts of new poems
2 batches of poems to literary magazines
Volunteered at and attended Proof: a Midwest Lit Fest UHhhhh. This was pretty fantastic. I was able to listen to many of Indiana's contemporary writers, get inspired, learn about Indiana literary magazines and meet editors, find out about indy book stores, and meet fellow writers and readers. Came away excited and motivated to write.
Reached out to another poet and bookstore.
Volunteered at the local library.