I just hit “send” on the application documents e-mail to my top choice MFA in writing program.
Did I mention I can’t breathe right now??
Dropping the application fee in the mail Friday (traveling for work tomorrow), but everything else is in. Recommendation letters, transcripts, and now my manuscript and two required essays.
This is so ridiculously exciting because it represents the possible start of something I’ve always, always wanted to do. But it’s also ridiculously scary because I have no idea what I’m getting myself into, and now I’m committed in a way.
Actually applying is a reality two years in the making — my original goal for myself to apply/make a decision about applying was last July 1, set sometime in the spring. Then my promotion happened, work got crazy, and I dropped the idea completely. I kept stalking MFA programs online though, and reading and writing like always, so it was just a matter of time before it came back to life.
Four to six weeks. Four to six weeks. Trying to breathe …
This is so exciting! Which school made it to the top of your list? oh, and breathe in, breathe out, repeat
By: Gaga on July 9, 2009
at 12:45 pm
WOW! Now I’M not breathing just in anticipation FOR you! Keep me posted. I’m thrilled you’re seeing this through. It’s so YOU!
By: Linda on July 9, 2009
at 2:16 pm
Thanks!!
Spalding University in Kentucky, in the creative nonfiction genre. It’s the one with a two-week summer residency abroad followed by a nine-month semester. It takes longer than the twice/year residency programs, but the day-to-day demands are more reasonable for me. Sena Jeter Naslund (who wrote Ahab’s Wife) is the director.
The international residency is what clinched it for me. I’d be in Buenos Aires next summer, then Northern Italy, Paris and Greece the summers after that. SO COOL.
Trying to breathe!
By: Christi on July 9, 2009
at 11:38 pm
Most likely you’ll need a chaperone on those trips (properly a matronly aunt, I’m thinking)…
By: Linda on July 10, 2009
at 5:56 am
Wow Congrats!!! So would you have to move to Kentucky? not following that part. Those summer programs sound amazing!
By: Beth on July 10, 2009
at 11:49 pm
No moving involved! It’s called a low-residency program — you go once or twice a year for a two-week intensive, then work virtually with a mentor during the semester. There are about 30 creative writing programs in the country with that format. They’re designed for people like me who have work, families, reality, etc.
They e-mailed me back and said I would hear from them in one month! Countdown begins!
By: Christi on July 12, 2009
at 3:16 am