Life on the Other Side

For the past three years, I've been toiling over the craft of writing in pursuit of my MFA in creative writing for children and young adults. Finally, after inquiring about a cash-out option and being turned down, the powers that be caved in to common sense (and probably fatigue), proclaiming that I had learned my lesson and was fit for graduation.

I thought I'd be able to rattle off a quick run down of the final residency and graduation-palooza, but nothing's ever as simple as that. It turns out that, at the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts (aka Whidbey Writers Workshop MFA), they want all graduates to get every last drop of learning on the menu. In the case of my graduating class, this meant 27 hours of life-coaching, query-writing, pitch-polishing, soul-searching labor (in addition to afternoon presentations, evening readings and homework).

Because the Whidbey program encourages breadth of learning, as well as depth in one's own genre, our morning grad sessions were led by three strong, empowering women from different corners of the writing world:

Kate Gale, Managing Editor of Red Hen Press

Andrea Brown of Andrea Brown Literary Agency

Andrea Hurst of Andrea Hurst & Associates Literary Agency

By the time we walked the plank aisle to receive our graduate hoods and walking sticks, I wasn't really feeling all that different. What's the saying? Before enlightenment, I was depressed. After enlightenment, I am still depressed. Well, I wasn't depressed, but I wasn't feeling all that enlightened either. I think that's because it's been such a long, gradual process of learning the craft of writing and crafting a writing life that there's no sensation of having been transformed into anything other than more of who I am. It's been happening all along and I didn't even notice it. In the end, I received my diploma and did what's been ground into my bones: honing, polishing and going to class.

There were lots of special moments during this final residency, but I think what happened after the ceremony is one I will hold most dear: spending time with friends and mentors who, without their support, I would not have found my way through the exit door. They include:

Kirby Larson and Popeye

Bonny Becker and Carmen T. Bernier Grand

Not pictured (because she lives on the other coast), but someone who I have a lot to be grateful for, is Barbara O'Connor, who read my thesis manuscript and did not die from the experience. Thank you, Barbara! Your encouragement kept me going to the finish line.

And now, for my next trick...sleep, perchance to write.