Confessions of an MFA grad

Hi everyone. I'm back from Nebraska, and I officially have my MFA in fiction. Some of you might think the pressure is off since I no longer have homework, but actually, graduating is a little like having a permanent homework assignment.

You see, I now have to uphold the expectation of my program, my friends and family who have watched me earn this degree, and my graduating class-some of the most talented individuals I've had the pleasure to encounter. Now I have to publish, which is the best advertisement for the program. I have to not sit in front of my computer with a cork-less bottle of wine that I must drink because it will go bad soon.

Then, Amy Winehouse died the day of graduation, which is like some kind of cosmic warning; create or perish! It doesn't help that we're the same age. I tried to find a nice Amy Winehouse quote to read at graduation, but most of the quotes were short drink recipes. "What's your recipe for success?" asked the Rolling Stone reporter. "Uh, that's a dash 'ah scotch an' lots of ice," Amy probably answered very seriously and drunkenly. That didn't actually happen, but it could have.

Residency Days 1 and 2

I checked in yesterday for my first University of Nebraska MFA residency at Lied Lodge in Nebraska City. It is a quaint town, which is currently being taken over by Wal-mart; the independent grocery and bookstore are the most recent victims. Lied is an eco-friendly cabin that has recycling bins in each room and the best food ever. Apples are their thing here. There is fresh apple pie every night at dinner, an abundance of coffee and plenty of plush pillows.

My fellow writers are incredibly friendly, like-minded individuals. Everyone is a character, and it's difficult not to like everyone, even if you don't particularly like their work. I already feel at home, and I'm determined to write more when I get back home. I already feel more focused than before.

I'm up at workshop tomorrow. Rumor is workshop is helpful but sometimes intense. I'm looking forward to it anyway. I'm too close to my own writing. I need other opinions in order to improve.

The rest of the day will be occupied by faculty readings, workshop, and eating. Amen to that.