So - I was listening to my Shakespeare audio stuff .... part of the Independent Study course I'm doing (that Paula Love won't help me with even though she's bored, the meanie!) and I got bored too.
So, I started looking at web sites for Master's programs in Creative Writing.
Most of my professors have suggested that I should apply to the University of New Brunswick's creative writing program. And I do intend to. But honestly, I am not totally enamoured of the idea of moving to New Brunswick, at least not right now. I have kids, grandkids - well one, if you want to get technical, but she's started dialating and the second should be along any time now :) - and waterfront. I love our waterfront.
I also am not so cocky or confident as to trust that I will get into any one program. So...
I started looking at the other programs I have heard of, had recommended, etc....
The University of British Columbia has a program in which one lives at home, but attends 10 days of workshops each summer. Because they do the workshop thing in the summer to kick off the program, their application dates are a ~bit~ earlier than other programs.
I thought I had until December to make decisions, pull together portfolios, etc., etc....
but the application deadline for UBC's Optional-Residency program is September 14!!!!!!!!!!! ACK!
It does say, on the application package which I downloaded, that the deadline date is October 2. But the website says in several places that it is September - and anyway, neither of those is December!
I do not have until December to make decisions about grad school! I have been procrastinating big time about making decisions about grad school. And now I find out that I do not actually have that luxury! (Yes, Ina, I am whining; I'm sorry)
I am very, very fortunate in that hubby is willing to support me in whatever I 'want' to do.
My problem is that I do not know what I want to do.
Except that - really - that is a lie.
I do know what I want to do - a Master's in Creative Writing.
But my main reason for pursuing a Master's in English at all is so that I can teach English at the University level. For that, I do not need a Master's in Creative Writing, specifically. A Master's in English would do just as well if not better. I could specialize in Canadian Literature and Children's Literature. There are a lot more programs - and many closer to here - that would allow me to do that, including Laurentian University, which is where I am doing my undergraduate work.
The reason that it matters that there are a lot more programs nearby is not so much about choices in terms of taking the program, but in terms of future job opportunities.
What if I go get my MFA (Master's of Fine Arts - Specializing in Creative Writing) and then I can't find a job teaching creative writing - or writing....? People do not make much $$ by writing in Canada - and besides I love to teach; I want to teach (just not computers any more!)
So ...choice #1 is between an MA in English vs an MFA in Creative Writing.
The second choice is re: distance vs on-site learning. So far, all of my university stuff has been at a program within a community college - which, I understand, quite likely makes no sense to those of you from the US? I don't know how things work there - but here, community colleges tend to focus on vocational stuff - you go to them to learn to actually do a specific job. Universities are less vocational, more academic.
There is one (very new) MFA in creative writing offered through the University of Guelph which is about 3 hours south of me - but the actual courses are held at yet another College campus in Toronto. That program is pretty darn low on my list of possibilities because of that - IF I am going to pick up and move, I want to go to an actual University, NOT to another University in a College program. Besides, the one prof that I have met from that program totally ~underwhelmed~ me both in her own work & presentation and in her (lack of) enthusiasm for the program. My profs have been similiarly lacking in enthusiasm and have not encouraged me to consider it.
So - in an ideal world, I would actually GO to a University; have the opportunity to be a TA, gain classroom experience in a University environment, make contacts, etc. Hubby's willing - but I'm not thrilled about the idea of moving, to be honest.
The UBC program is basically a distance learning option - it would not give me teaching experience in a university environment.
But - if they accepted me - I could do it from home and continue teaching at the College, and get my Masters without having to pack up and move.
And - if I don't apply - and then don't get IN to UNB - I'll be SOL ...so I think perhaps I have talked myself into coughing up the $60 and putting together a writing portfolio and seeing what happens.
Could always do the Masters through distance learning & then move for a PhD, right?
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How does hubby feel about relocating? Aside from leaving your kids & beloved lake, would it be practical for him?
the issue right now is mostly what Master's program to take....the ones that you actually go there for allow you only 10 hours/week to work - for them - and the pay for those is considerably less than I currently make teaching.
So if I stayed where I was and continued teaching, would have 2 more years to earn $$ before we would have to move to someplace that has an actual university.
Especially as I am doing some workshopping and so on with other student writers (just cuz I love it)
cough up the $60 and apply. even if you aren't sure, it buys you a little time to decide.
Next, you throw so much information out that my head spins. Sweetie, I think you're overthinking everything. Stop. Take a few deep breaths.
Now ask yourself what it is that you really want the most. Then make your second choice. Columns of pros and cons. Weigh your options.
Most of all, follow your heart.
that's kinda where I'm at - they accept less than 20% of those that apply ...and don't consider letters of recommendation until AFTER they decide re: your portfolio!! (those go towards your application to Graduate School, not to the CW program)
They say 20 pages in at least 2, but preferably 3 genres.... I am assuming writing for children would include YA novels? ...so would do that, plus short stories for the fiction requirement... but then what?
I don't think my poetry is strong enough ... or that I have 20 pages of it, for that matter.
Which leaves creative non-fiction - that would be the project I started well over a year ago, I guess... almost afraid to look at it to see how many pages I had LOL
I have to learn to type faster.
I think rather than getting all stressed out about all the possibilities, I'm going to throw together a portfolio and apply for this one - can always say no if I decide on another program, right?
I am in a SO MUCH BETTER place right now - and I'm still stressed!
I am so incredibly lucky to have such choices in front of me.
It feels SO good to be back at it - and I had to read it all again so that I could pick up where I left all and you know what? It's not nearly as bad as I was thinking... :)
Sara, I think tis the fact that I have to make choices that impact hubby ....and I still can't really believe that he is so willing to up and move for me and I'm afraid that he doesn't really mean it ... or that he does, but then will regret it later
and what if I fail after he's invested so much in me?
Really afraid of failing or just a thought that runs thru?
he's all in support of my applying for this program and the UNB one as well (why wait for the deadline; you're doing one portfolio, do em both now, he says)
but I don't want to include poetry in my 3 genres
really is not that much risk that I couldn't get a job at least teaching english at the college level
Hi Jax... did you sleep yet...
Fiction and children's are no brainers.... then it's either poetry or creative non-fiction
what a MORON! whoever let her go, I mean!
We finally had to leave around 10 am....Angela was in tears for the first hour home.
As my folks and REbecca were driving home from Sam's Club, dad saw someone looking at one of the posters...he stopped and talked to her...she had Maggie...found her wandering around the neighborhood around 10 p.m. and brought her inside...Thank goodness! Unfortunately, we were just past Charlotte at the time...
We're back in Georgia, and Maggie is in Virginia.
So with the chip, when she's found, they'll know who to contact though, right?
Mom said Maggie was very happy to see them and was exhaused...she slept for hours on the kitchen floor.
well, as long as whoever the moron was isn't still there
That area is the home to PETA and other animal rights groups, so who knows who did it...she was released sometime after 8 p.m, according to Paul's next door neighbors who saw her right before that still in the yard.
Is it going to be real hot again Sara?
have a great night Sara :) Thanks for your help re: figuring out what to do
and then go do my PhD wherever
I don't know which to do .... wish Bruce wasn't on holiday! how dare he take time off!
Non-Fiction: Double-spaced. Up to 20 pages (no academic essays, press releases, corporate reports, scientific papers, newspaper reporting, reviews or copy writing). We are looking for non-fiction that is creative in form. This includes work such as essays (non-academic), travel writing, memoir, magazine writing, biography, popular history (rather than academic history). Collections such as 'Best American Essays', are a good guide to this type of writing.
and I do have a bunch re: back to school for grownups