31 Dec

MFA

So here it is. My notes from the past two years of my MFA program (at Pacific University) uploaded to wordle yields that nifty graphic above. I accrued about 77,000 words worth of notes (about 170 pages) from 45 days worth of craft talks, workshops, and classes at the five required “residencies,” which alternated between Seaside (in January) and Forest Grove, Oregon (in June). In between residencies, I was paired with an advisor, who commented upon my work and sent lengthy replies to my creative manuscripts and essays. I produced 24 short essays (3-4 pages), a research paper (20-pages), 15 short stories (averaging 15 pages), and 5 flash-fiction pieces. I read approximately 80 books. It’s been a humbling and edifying experience.