When You've Got a Train to Catch

This weekend was full of multiple opportunities and a wide array of choices. While I enjoyed various revelations about my writing priorities, the experience was also exhausting. The best part of the whole weekend though, was seeing 3:10 to Yuma.

Sorry, But I've Got a Train to Catch

First, let me say that I am not a huge fan of westerns. I generally think they are contrived and forced, reinforcing a set of values that seem out of date. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, Unforgiven and Tombstone are classics in that they broke that mold. But none of them succeeded on such an emotional level as 3:10 to Yuma. Eastwood's film, no doubt, rescued the American Western from obscurity, and Unforgiven took the genre seriously, while Tombstone made it cool. 3:10 to Yuma made it human and personal.

3:10 to Yuma soared completely above and beyond my expectations. With a blurred vision of good and bad, the incredible storytelling and believable characters made this movie probably one of the most amazing I've see in a very long time. I've probably only seen a few films that were so violent and brutal, but beautiful and moving at the same time. 3:10 to Yuma was one of the best.

The One That Got Away

I turned down an opportunity for a possible grant and chance to present a paper at an academic conference. I'm still going to be supportive and to help. I will still push the programs I believe should be implemented in the department; I may write up a paper for that in the spring semester. But I thought it a waste to invest time and energy in research that didn't focus on something I'm passionate about. Also, I would have to delay leaving the Undergrad program for a year, thus delaying my MFA. I'm ready to get on with life, to get a house and a job so I can have a few of the things I want. I don't want to give that up.

The Opportunity Taken

I accepted the opportunity to work closely with one of my very best friends on an epic space opera, which we have steadily built up over the last 8 months. We kept it under wraps for such a long time because we weren't sure if we were serious or if we were just enjoying the world and the story. This past week, after an extremely long late night/early morning discussion at the Waffle House, we decided we were, in fact, dedicated. So we bought a dot-com and hope to have something up within the next month or so.

We're keeping it hush-hush until then, but I warn you: it is unbelievably full of awesome. With his vast views of overarching galaxy-wide plots and scientific interests and my focus on personal characters and crafted prose, we make a dashing team.

Pulling Away From the Station

If I haven't gotten to your Friday Snippets, I promise I will. This weekend was full (as you can see), and I've got a test or two this week. But I promise I will come and read. Just so you know, reading up on all the stories for the week is one of the most relaxing times of my blog-rounds.

Before I go, did anyone else see 3:10 to Yuma? If so, let me know what you think. Also, if you do like westerns, leave some suggestions if you want. I'll need to unwind this weekend and could check them out. Thanks!

So say we all.
Bri

Throwing up Road Blocks to the Creep of Apathy

A SMALL NOTE BEFORE THE ACTUAL POST:

For those of you who commented on the MFA post - thanks so much! It was very encouraging :) I gave a few answers to some of the questions you asked, at the end if this post. Also - thanks to Jess at Tudor's Desk for the Rocking Girl Blogger nomination!

POSSIBLE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

In an episode of panic early in May, I feared my novel and series lost forever to the Charybdis and Scylla of Writing. Apathy and cynicism struck such a blow that I questioned the very validity of my story, my characters - even why I ever thought I wanted to write.

Since getting over that and plunging back into the novel's world, I've found my story and my characters again. I figured I should probably understand how I did it - in case it ever happens again. I'll start a series of posts on this after my Friday Snippet this week.

Also, sweating with Sven - I'll post more about that probably later today or tomorrow. It's fun. :)

ALL THE PRETTY NOTEBOOKS

I have a horrible habit of collecting beautiful notebooks and then becoming so intensely intimidated by their beauty that I never write in them. They sit on my shelf and regard me mournfully. They seem to say, Bri! Don't you love us? Don't you want to put pretty words on these pretty pages? Bri! And I shake my head and mutter something about being sorry.

And then, Joce, my long-time friend from VA, has a brilliant idea. We'll send each other our lovely notebooks, filled with poetry, newspaper clippings, critique and ramblings. They'll fill up with strange collages and we'll exchange them. Celebrate, you lovely notebooks! You are no longer empty! You are no longer devoid of purpose! Celebrate!

SOMETHING TO POINT THE WAY HOME

I know some of you have probably seen this, but I finid it absolutely beautiful and so decided to post it here. I've noticed there have been dozens of trailers for "children's fantasy" movies in the past few years, but this is the series I've been hoping they would adapt to the screen. It makes me wish I had an armored polar bear...that could talk.

THE PROMISED ANSWERS ABOUT THE MFA

Yes, I read up on Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania. It is on my list for applications. Thanks for the heads up!

Yes, I am considering teaching creative writing. Currently, I work at the university during the school year helping students with papers and other creative writing projects. Luffs my job.

So say we all.
Bri

What it Means to Choose Wisely OR The MFA Debate

Sweating for Sven has not gone so well these past few days, and I'm not really sure why. I've had the time to write and I've had the ideas, but every time I sat down, I just stared at the screen.

EXCUSES, EXCUSESOne of the reasons for this is that I have been feverishly collecting information on graduate schools. Very soon I will apply to begin my MFA in creative writing in Fall of 2009. The fact that this will lead to the rest of my life and my career and my ability to live as an adult is nerve-wracking. I found about ten schools which fit the bill, but then I discovered something horrific.

I discovered that many MFA programs look down on genre writing: science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, horror, noir, metafiction, etc. (read: everything I adore about writing). Most encourage writing in the literary vein. My blood settled down like sludge and I thought maybe my heart was sitting on the bottom of the ocean floor.

But that was when I started thinking.

WHAT I REALIZEDI realized my MFA was about more than my creative process or what I would/wouldn't be allowed to write for the next three years. Much more. My MFA was about me finding a job to sustain myself so that I could pursue my creative ideas - for the rest of my life.

I realized I shouldn't see the MFA as something that could possibly crush me or my desire to write. Rather I should see it as something that could be a step toward the life I want. I saw it as something that could help me were I need help and reinforce my strengths.

WHAT SOME WILL SAY

Some would say that I should find a school that allows me to write in my specific genre. Some would call what my decision a betrayal of my writing. Or a compromise.

I call it practicality. I call it reality. I also call it branching out.

So it doesn't really matter what "some" say. What matters most is that I'm no longer hounded by a sense of feral panic. I chose for me. And I think I chose wisely.

CONTINUING WITH SVEN
Only today has the urge to continue with Sven returned. I'll be caught up by tonight, but I hate getting behind.

So say we all.
Bri

Something other than the Writing Life

This morning I checked my email and Dr. Vanderslice (Stephanie) had written me back about some MFA programs I am considering with just a touch of anxiety. Both articles were informative and incredibly encouraging. With the end of the year drawing close, I realized that my undergrad career is looming off in the hazy future and that maybe I should prepare myself for facing it.

Other than that, I have begun the arduous process of moving out of my dorm room. To be very honest, being uprooted every nine months is bewildering and frustrating. Like a cat, I become high-strung, nervous, and easily agitated. My bookshelves are empty and my DVDs are packed along with all of my stuffed animals and artwork. Tomorrow morning, my mom and dad will drive up to help me move back home for the summer, and for the next two weeks I will live in an empty room. But at least I will not have to face finals and the stress of moving out.

As far as the writing life goes, I have started revision on The Promethean and so far, the story is coming along. My friend-critic is critiquing What is Now: Easter Sunday and I hear back from her by Monday to begin revisions on that story. By the end of the year I should have at least one fantasy piece and one sci-fi piece to send to magazines. I've been working on my cover letters, but so far they begin along the lines of "Dear Mr. Editor-Person, Please love my stories." Hmm...that probably won't go over very well.

I'll keep you posted.
So say we all.
Bri