Graduate School

5 March 2009 at 08:18 (philosophy, Writing)
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I heard today, a little earlier than usual. I didn’t get in.That puts me in with the 817 people who are getting rejected, rather than the 25 who get in to the world-renowned program. I can live with that…

This means I don’t have to worry about how to juggle school with a husband who lives in another town and a baby. I will be able to focus on the family and start the next novel when I get finished rewriting the one I’m working on.

Speaking of rewriting, I finally got a good idea of where i want to go on that last YA novel, so focusing on that one is good. I probably rushed it – it takes me time to get enough distance to really know what I want to say and how I want to say it.

If I ever apply again, I’ll take all the things I learned this time and make a better application. Might even get in. I must remember it isn’t a commentary that I’m a bad writer – I’m just not ready at this point for the program. It’s not a commentary about publishability, either. (Is that even a word?)

On to the next challenge.

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Graduate School

30 December 2008 at 08:06 (Writing)
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I wonder what it takes to go to graduate school for an MFA. I hear about people doing it, but while I looked into it, it’s difficult to know if I have what it takes.

I check out the question on the application. I did my undergrad in engineering, which means I haven’t studied much literature or writing in a college setting. Does that mean others have an edge? Possibly. I do know the program has admitted engineers and doctors before.

Friends who know others in the program say the most important part is the manuscript. I suppose that’s for the best, since it’s also the part that I feel most comfortable with. I know how to write. I know I have a lot to learn, which is why I’d like to try grad school.

A friend of mine once said his trouble submitting things wasn’t whether he was good or not. He knew he was good. He just wasn’t sure if he was good enough. Good enough meaning to not be ridiculed with his submission to editors who read far too many pieces to be kind when someone can’t follow rules. I prefer to think of it that way, rather than that some of the writings from others are so awful as to be only fodder for jokes. (But in my head I know both are probably the case.)

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