Worldbuilding Lecture Heaven
aka Hamline MFAC Residency (3 of 5)
I texted my cohort earlier this week, saying, “Residency is this week, but it feels like a world away!” I am scrambling to print schedules and workshop pieces and prepare for a friendly fatigue. I am looking forward to being otherwise occupied from January 10-20th. If you can’t reach me, it is because I am living in another world.
Speaking of worlds… our theme for this residency is Worldbuilding, and we will enjoy lectures from Laura Ruby, Freeman Ng, Jackie Briggs-Martin, Phyllis Root, Minh Le, Sherri Smith, Coe Booth, Eliot Schrefer, Erin Entrada Kelly, Swati Avasthi, Lisa Jahn-Clough, Ari Tison, Brandy Colbert, Tae Keller, and more. Here’s a sampling of their published work (the below are not links because that takes a lot of time and if you buy one, please go to your local independent bookstore!) :)
So!
This is the point in the MFA journey where I tell you if I have buyer’s remorse or not. After all, this program, like many MFA programs, is not cheap and for many, requires travel and significant time off of work or away from home. I’ve come across a few other blogs that discuss the pros and cons of MFAs and whether or not you “need” one to become an author (of course you don’t). But this type of evaluation is also deeply personal and intertwines with finances, career, mental health, etc.
This is where the conjunction “and” comes in. For me, it has been a place to grow as a writer and carve out something that is only for me. It has been a heavy workload, and it has been a respite from my caretaking responsibilities. It has been a great networking opportunity, and it has been a “quiet” place of story and characters. It has been binge-reading to meet deadlines, and some unhurried get-lost-in-an-audio-book while getting lost driving to youth sports. It has been several trips to the Writing Center to reacquaint myself with the load of academic writing, and it has been the joy of thesis ideation. It has been building confidence in myself as a writer, and remembering that asking for help is a sign of strength. It has been academic, and creative. It’s been reactivating a part of myself that has been dormant.
It has been worth it.
This conclusion of course relates to more than reasons that can be articulated… it does impact finances and real-world consequence-type things. I remember when I was considering going back to school for graphic design several years ago, I reached out to a local designer who very wisely said that school costs a lot of money, and many of these skills you can learn online now. I am so grateful for that perspective and evaluating your unique situation and field of study matters when considering any degree. You can “DIY” your way to growing as a writer. But for me and my brain, form is helpful.
Things I’ve Found Interesting Lately
In no particular order, here are some mild things I’ve found interesting lately (as the header says… wow, Sara you should be less redundant when you write).
Elise Loehnen’s Podcast and Substack: Pulling the Thread (author of On Our Best Behavior)… she had a great episode about the etymology of the word “resolutions” and how it’s more about letting go of things than trying to achieve.
Google’s “Discover” tab with articles just for me (thanks, cookies)
The Mythmakers graphic novel by John Hendrix about C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein’s friendship, recommended by a grad school peer, Rachel Hankinson (remember the name) who has a great Instagram for book reviews.
Reddit
Long walks on an indoor track open to the community
Chipotle’s brisket option
Laminating stuff at home for my kids (like visual schedules / positive affirmations) with this thing
Learning all about folkstyle wrestling terms and moves so I know what to say when I have to fill in as mom-coach for my 7-year-old at a weekend tournament.
That’s all for now—I look forward to writing a residency recap when it’s over! How is your new year going? Any resolutions?
I’m so glad it’s been worth it!