Publication WHAT?

I just realized today through fortune and fancy that my short story "Red Lights" was accepted for publication by Foliate Oak Literary Magazine! The magazine uses a submission manager and I received a brief email simply stating the status of my work had been updated. Well, I didn't directly remember the password for the manager and didn't check it right away. In fact, I didn't check back on it until I received an email from the magazine asking contributors to proof their galleys for errors before the end of the month. And I thought to myself.... what? Contributor? Wait.... WAIT! *scurry scurry* Logged myself in and lo and behold!

Accepted.

That's a major win any day of the week and I am especially excited because I quite liked my little story and worked hard at the revisions. Quite pleased indeed. This is my 3rd short story publication -- hopefully the first of many, yes? Stay tuned for the November, 2011 edition of Foliate Oak Literary Magazine!

Red Room Profile

After long neglecting my Red Room profile, I've returned to it and updated and refreshed all my info, as well as adding a couple stories on my page.

Check me out!

I'm really trying to ramp up my writing online presence especially with how much I've been reading lately about how authors are now having to shoulder more responsibility in promoting and marketing their work. So I am developing my networking savvy and trying to learn more about how to promote and market my own work/blogs. Up to this point, my blogs have served more for myself to document things of importance but now I will pay more attention to sharing my blog and general online presence. Yay!

Super Productive Woman!

Okay, I've done it. I have finalized my MFA application list. For real.

1. University of Wisconsin at Madison
2. University of New Mexico
3. University of Idaho (only 4 hours away from my love!)
4. Hollins College
5. Arizona State University
6. Rosemont College
7. Mills College

See? I got it down to 7 schools and it'll only cost me, oh, $376 to apply to them all. Piece of cake, right??

Yeah.

On a cheerier note, I finished my Statement of Purpose (SOP) for Mills College. Mills and UW's application deadline is December 15th so for obvious reasons I'm doing them first. Sadly, my SOP for Mills is way better than the one for UW. I'll have to look at the UW SOP again and try and determine why it is so lackluster. It may have something to do with the fact that Mills allows up to 5 PAGES while UW is 500 words. Which makes sense considering how many applications UW receives. But in any case, it feels good to have completed a second SOP. Only 5 left to go!

I even got all fancy and organized by creating a MFA filing system of sorts. They're just regular file folders, one for each program. In each folder I've included an instruction sheet or checklist for the paper applications. For the online applications I'm just going to print the confirmation emails I receive when I submit them. I slapped a page on the front folder specifying due dates and app fees for each program and inside each folder I attached an index card so I can document the dates I submit materials -- a double check system to make sure I didn't forget anything. If that sounds hyper organized, that's because it is. I usually am not so meticulous but it's the only way to alleviate a lot of the anxiety I feel about forgetting something or keeping all the programs straight.

OY!

Oooo, I also e-mailed a UNM student asking if she would be willing to answer some questions and got a positive response. I'm hoping she'll let me do an interview format for the blog here -- since it seems so difficult to get insider information on MFA programs, it would be great to have some of that info made public so other potentials can see it. We'll see how it goes!

For Love of Show

I wrote this silly little story after thinking about all the movies I've seen about showing animals of one sort or another. "Best of Breed" is one of those comedies so I took the idea and gave it a twist. Feels good just to write something for sheer fun.

----

            “I really think I’ve got a winner this year,” said Blabberhash, waving a tentacle forearm. He was particularly large and boasted a fine variety of warts across his stout middle. Tibbins shook his dome, unconvinced. He was as thin as Blabberhash was rotund and was lacking in the warts department. However, he was a fine breeder and knew a good thing when he saw it.

            “It won’t be like last year will it? Your specimen’s conformation was terrible,” he gurgled. Blabberhash punched the code of his front door and nothing happened. Blabberhash swore and banged the console. The door finally disintegrated as it should and they entered, their tentacles leaving a satisfactory trail of slime behind them.

            “No, no – just wait, I think this year the award will be mine. ‘Course, maybe I shouldn’t be showing a fellow competitor,” Blabberhash said, regarding Tibbins suspiciously. His big gelatinous eyes bulged with indignation.

            “You’ll need this ‘competitor’ to stop you from making a fool of yourself,” Tibbins said. Blabberhash chuckled. They both knew Blabberhash did not care what other people thought of him. As was evidenced by his previous year’s specimen entries.

The door whooshed behind them and a robotic Sani-Bot popped out of a small side cupboard, quickly collecting the slimy trail with a squeegee and bucket. Ever since the Bleebens had begun recycling their slime waste, odor had decreased significantly in the cities and they were able to cultivate a new strain of riverweed using the slime fertilizer. The weed was called Thittle and it was quite delicious.

            “Wait until you see it, I’ll be ready to accept apologies,” Blabberhash said, leading the way down the front hallway. His home was a highly polished chrome color and every surface gleamed. The reliable team of Sani-Bots he had hired made sure every inch was spic and span. Ever since the Sani-Bots had unionized, many Bleebens couldn’t afford them but Blabberhash insisted that their work had greatly improved since the award of repair-care benefits. And the economy had improved with the opening of several Bot Healer Clinics in the Downtown Sector.

            “Indeed,” said Tibbens, unconvinced. They slimed their way through the front room and down another hallway. Another door disintegrated and they entered a fine courtyard, overgrown with lush Beels and a blooming Tantacle plant, who’s angry and thorny branches reached out to them as they passed. Blabberhash batted it away with a grumble.

            “Don’t those Bots tend to your plants?” said Tibbens, feeling nauseated in the overpowering stench of raw meat. The Tantacle’s blossoms quivered, heavy with fizzy flies.

            “It’s not in their contract but I’ll be sure to include it next year. I don’t quite care for gardening as I thought. And anyway, with my concentration on my excellent breeding program this rotation, I haven’t had the time,” he said. They exited through a side door in the courtyard and Tibbens was glad of it. The smell was not quite so terrible and now he could sense the faint stench of the specimen’s waste. Blabberhash was not known for having the cleanest of operations and his specimens were not very well trained. Why, just last year one of his males had defecated on the judge’s lap. The horror! Blabberhash had laughed and had also finished in final place. Tibbens ached with the thought of it. Sometimes the work of feeling embarrassed on behalf of Blabberhash was quite exhausting.

            This hallway (as Bleebens were quite fond of labrynthian designs cluttered with various hallways) led directly to the “Breeding Barn” as Blabberhash affectionately called it. Tibbens thought it was a terrible name. What was wrong with the standard “Specimen Facility” name?

            “Here we are, the contestants from last year,” Blabberhash bellowed, flapping his tentacle toward the specimen habitats which were stacked two high and five side by side.

            “Don’t remind me,” Tibbens said as they passed them. Tibbens shuddered as he looked over the specimens Blabberhash had entered last year. The same ill-trained specimen that had performed the defecating feat stuck his tongue out at Tibbens and made a rude gesture with his pink, naked hand. In fact, all the specimens were mostly naked but with a faint patch of fur between their scrawny legs and under their scrawny arms. But for the gorgeous locks that grew out of their rounded heads, the specimens would be quite ugly indeed. And most of Blabberhash’s specimens were. One was far too thin and picked at its privates with relish, while another was far too fat and if it had six tentacles it would have looked very much like Blabberhash itself. All of them had lackluster locks, mostly the color of dirt, one of a disgusting orange color. Tibbens had begged Blabberhash not to enter that one but Blabberhash had, to the horror of everyone in attendance. Which was, of course, everyone who was anyone. No one missed the annual “Specimen Performance and Confirmation Exhibition.”

            “But here we go, a fine female,” Blabberhash said, spreading three tentacles for emphasis. Tibbens sighed and peered into the exhibit. Then he gasped.

            The female specimen was of good form, with swelling shapes at the chest and hips. But, although this was quite a feat for Blabberhash in itself, the female had the most beautiful yellow hair flowing from her head. Her eyes glimmered, two faint blue orbs in its fleshy face. It was one of the most beautiful things Tibbens had ever seen. He felt a strange stirring in his vascular organ.

            “It’s amazing. How – how did you produce this?” Tibbens finally said. Blabberhash brushed away a tear of pride and blubbered his fat lips to signal his approval of Tibbens response.

            “I went to the archives and began researching origins of the specimens. I happened across an especially old text that detailed how two particularly ugly specimens could produce beautiful offspring. So I decided to take Oogoo over there and cross him with Heehoo over there and see what would happen. I discovered through my research that Oogoo was of some strange tribal lineage that was known for its savage nature, so it was one of the last lines to be collected. Heehoo was of one of the docile first specimens, so I was curious what kind of offspring they would turn out,” Blabberhash said, gazing at the female with pleasure.

            Tibbens scoffed.

            “That was your method of producing her? How simpleton. You know as well as I do that the American lineage is not yet recognized by the Council because they are too savage and disgusting. No wonder Oogoo put you at last. Have you told anyone you are breaking code?” Tibbens said, feeling disgusted at his association with Blabberhash.

            “Well, the American lineage is soon to be accepted and if I can demonstrate that such a nice specimen can be produced, I’m sure I’ll win the organs of the Council. Especially if Teena here wins First Place,” he said with a snort.

            “And Heehoo is of the Norweigan line? How interesting. But I think you will be made a fool of if anyone finds you out. And it would hardly be fair for me to let you enter her knowing you’ve been unscrupulous,” Tibbens said.

            “Dear friend, you know I’m not the first to dabble in the illegal crosses. Don’t deny that your own Viking stud was not of the most legal acquisition,” Blabberhash said, beginning to feel annoyed with Tibbens.

            Tibbens waggled his tentacles in frustration.

            “Fine! Make a fool of yourself. Maybe I’ll just make a trip to Terra next rotation and bring back the finest stock you’ve ever seen!” snapped Tibbens. He was tired and turned away, sliming his way out of Blabberhash’s ridiculous Breeding Barn.

            “Feel free to try!” Blabberhash bellowed after him. He turned his attention back to Teena, who was staring at them fearfully, her big blue eyes wide with surprise. He punched a number into the console positioned next to her exhibit and the front pane disintegrated. Teena ran to him, scurrying on her two small feet. He produced a handful of pannas, the sweet fruit that grew in his courtyard, and she took one, devouring it with two bites.

            “Do you think they would ever suspect the truth?” he whispered to her. She looked up into his bulging eyes curiously, as though trying very hard to understand him. Blabberhash felt a surge of warmth in his vascular organ.

            “If they knew, I’d probably be run out and sent to Terra myself as a traitor. Forced in live in one of your bodies,” he shuddered at the thought. “But you are the finest looking specimen ever. You even have my eyes.”

            She placed her small hand on his tentacle as though trying to comfort him. Tears welled up in his huge gelatinous blue orbs.

            “I’ve always wanted a daughter,” he said. She giggled then and Blabberhash almost swooned with pride. Yes, she would win him the organs of everyone in attendance. That much could be counted upon.

Syracuse University

Since I am in New York visiting my brother, I thought it would be convenient to make the hour and a half drive from Rochester to check out Syracuse University. Since it is on my list of MFA potentials, "seeing is believing" I thought as I arrived on campus. What I encountered was internet frustration translated to reality. Just as many MFA websites are extremely vague, there wasn't really much "hook" in the Creative Writing department at SU. And by department I mean one office tucked into the Language Arts building. The secretary informed me most of the information was available online since they are being environmentally savvy and not printing information. Okay, fine. But when I mentioned talking to faculty or students she made it clear that she had nothing to do with their scheduling and I would have to contact them and hope someone would have time to talk with me. I understand that MFA programs are often inundated with applications -- but it seems they would be well-served to provide students who actually take the time and care to show up at the school some more information and consideration. That's just my opinion I suppose but it's hard to believe that an extremely small program made up of 10-15-20+ students can't seem to pull together someone who can sit down for a conversation. That being said, the secretary was very cordial and friendly. I don't mean to imply I got the cold shoulder during my visit -- just that I was generally unimpressed with the enthusiasm to attract inquiring students. Then again, I guess if you're not hurting for applicants, why put the money into promotion or recruitment considerations.

That said, visiting SU gave me little idea of what the program is, what I might expect, and what the writing community is like. Disappointing I'm afraid. I did walk around the campus and was generally impressed with the beautiful architecture (apparently, Hogwarts is there) and historic buildings. But there was little electric. Very little "zing" about being on campus. Maybe my standards are too high but when I went to Evergreen for the first time, I remember distinctly thinking "this is it. This is where I need to be." I guess I'm just hoping for a similar experience with an MFA program. In all fairness, this is the first MFA program I've actually visited so I'll use this as a learning experience if I am able to visit other MFA programs.

My New Outlook on Grad School

I've been reviewing my MFA application list. After composing a draft of my Statement of Purpose and having it blasted apart by my dear comrade, I think I've been going about the whole process wrong. I had chosen some top schools, some known for their good funding, and bemoaned a general availability of knowledge about the programs themselves. But I realized I wasn't being true to myself, to my writing, or to my goals. I had put these schools on the list for all the wrong reasons. What do I care if University of Wisconsin is in the top 5 if it doesn't offer the community engagement I'm specifically looking for? (as a note, I am still applying to UW but others have been scrapped.)

My list of goals and things I am looking to get out of my MFA experience:

• Good teaching opportunities with a decent ratio and stipend
• A lot of opportunities for community engagement through community service projects, clubs, organizations, annual conferences and festivals, etc.
• Available elective courses on the business of publishing and publishing-related subjects
• No GRE requirements 
• Cross-genre opportunities or courses on mainstream fiction genres
• A literary magazine and/or publishing press

That's not too much to ask, is it?? :-) Apparently not! Here's my new shiny list -- though I'm still looking to cut it down by a few schools.

1. University of Wisconsin

2. Arizona State University

3. Syracuse University

4. Western Michigan University

5. University of New Mexico (this is one of my top choices at the moment)

6. Rosemont College

7. Hollins University

8. Mills College

9. Boise State University

10. University of Idaho

11. Columbia College Chicago

So it's a long list but I'll be doing more research on the specific schools, maybe try and talk to some of the students or faculty. Most of these schools offer good financial aid options, if not fully funded, so I'm still staying true to my desire to not accrue any more debt than necessary.

Having a clearer idea of what my goals are and selecting schools that are on the same page with them will hopefully help me get more specific, more concrete, and write more compelling admissions essays. We'll see how it goes!

Online Writing Group

As I've been traveling, I've enjoyed the relative luxury and freedom of being able to do most of my writing work through online correspondence and a writing forum. However, I acknowledge the limitations of conducting critiques and posting my own work for review in an open forum and I am sometimes frustrated by the lack of response or the superficial interest in review and critique. I guess I'm looking for a more hardcore experience, a more dedicated atmosphere that can really cultivate change and growth. That is part of the reason I am applying for a MFA programs, to maximize workshop exposure. But I feel that much of this could be obtained through an online writing or critique group.

So I will commence this effort as an experiment, to determine whether there are other like-minded writers out there interested in this kind of group. As with The Oddville Press, the correspondence and procedures were conducted entirely online and it worked fairly well for a while. I have opened a profile on GroupBox.com and will look to recruit others interested in this kind of participation.

Applying for MFA Creative Writing Programs

So I've finally committed to the idea of applying to a MFA Creative Writing program. I've made my little list, read articles from P&W to the Huffington Post on the wide gambit of highly desirable programs. I've also structured myself toward fully-funded programs because I emerged with a BA and more debt than I wanted.

My top schools, not in any order:

1. University of Wisconsin
2. University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor
3. University of Alaska in Fairbanks
4. University of Montana -- Missoula (my partner is applying here to finish up her BA)
5. Oregon State University
6. Western Michigan University
7. Northern Michigan University
8. University of Central Florida

There are a few highly competitive ones in there, along with some that are not so competitive. But my criteria was as follows:

- Good financial aid funding (good chance of full funding)
- Good or at least scenic location
- No GRE score requirement (except UM which requires one for a teaching assistantship. We'll see how that comes out in the wash)

I don't know if 8 selections is enough but with the expensive costs of applying, I think it'll have to do for now. Wish me luck!

Ladies and Bugs

By morning the wind had brought the locusts; ¹⁴ they invaded all Egypt and settled down in every area of the country in great numbers. Never before had there been such a plague of locusts, nor will there ever be again. ¹⁵ They covered all the ground until it was black. They devoured all that was left after the hail—everything growing in the fields and the fruit on the trees. Nothing green remained on tree or plant in all the land of Egypt.

-- Exodus 10 (New International Version)

“Ya know, all this talk ‘bout plagues and locusts and bugs. (hiccup) I’m right offended by the implication that we—us bugs—were sent as punishment. Right, Ernie? I mean, come on, you don’t hear us going on ‘bout humans do ya?”

“Frank, can’t we just chug a slimy slew without you ramblin’ on about the bible? Who cares anyhow? Humans don’t see nothin’ that ain’t right in front of their faces. And half the time, even when it is, they ain’t listenin’.”

"Well, humans don' have much to be going on about. Life was a whole lot more peaceful before they showed up anyhow."

"And how would you know? You're gonna be dead next month anyway!"

"Thanks for reminding me. (hiccup)"

“I think you’re taking it all a little too seriously. You and your buddies go cruisin’ for good eats, the humans grow the good eats, and then you all show up and put them out of their hard work. It’s gotta be gratin’ to have that happen time and time again. Besides, ya’ll aren’t very attractive anyhow. Big stick legs, pokey, buzzing. Hell, I don’t even like you all either. Give me the willies.”

“Right—thanks a lot, Ernie. Teach me to ask a lady for some support.”

“Aw, don’t be like that –ah, ah, don’t cry now! Good bug, it’s embarrassing! Now, I know you got your feelings all hurt ‘cause that you made that kid cry. But it wasn’t your fault. That girl had big bushy hair! Even the best of us woulda been stuck in that mess.”

“But the way she looked at me! LOOKED at me! (hiccup) I thought I was a goner—that she was gonna snuff me out right there, squashed all over the sidewalk! Then those boys said –they said— (sob)”

“There, there. You’re not really a plague, ya know? Humans—well, humans just gotta have stories to explain whats going on. Otherwise they get confused, scared like. It’s nothing personal. You should hear the stories they got ‘bout black cats!”

“No, no, no, Ernie, see that’s the problem with all this (hiccup) We’s got feelings too, ya know? (hiccup) I mean, I know you’re a ladybug so this is probably lost on ya, but how would you feel if every time you showed up for the harvest, people ran screaming? (hiccup) How many times could you endure before ya start to feel like a – like a freak, ya know?”

“I’m a LADY bug. Ya know how humiliating it is to be cooed over? To have little kids runnin’ around, blowing kisses and making wishes? I’m a guy. A guy. It’s a crime against bugkind I’m tellin’ ya. If there IS a god, he’s got one messed up sense of humor. Are you drunk, Frank? You really don’t know how to hold your slew. It’s embarrassing! I’m supposed to be the lady and you’re falling all over yourself after two rounds. Oy, Leonard! Make Frank’s next a rain drop would ya? Don’t want him puking all over again.”

I Write

I write because pages are too white. Too wide, too long, too empty. I write because sometimes I feel like I’ve forgotten how, articulation abandoning me to one of the fumbling incoherents that wander through life, communication just beyond their grasp or desire. I write because because because sometimes I’m afraid to cry and it’s the only way I know how, to pour emotion on the page and hope for the best. Just like life. Just like I hope for the best every day.

Because it’s hard.

Because it’s easy.

Because they told me my talent would be wasted if I didn’t.

Because I don’t want to be wasted (high, fucked, spun, delirious) anymore.

Because I don’t know how not to.

Because a picture is worth a thousand words but a thousand words is still a thousand words and I can summarize the entire history of the galaxy and dimensional reality in a flash fiction piece of 500 words. What picture can do that?

Because I want to.

Because I want to.

Because I want to.

Wanting is sometimes the most important part.

Publishing Articles

So I've been introduced to the "world of writing for money" via a handy article on Squidoo: http://www.squidoo.com/make-money-writing#module110257401

I highly recommend it -- it helped me make contacts with several websites where I could register and begin writing content. Associated Content through Yahoo! was my first stop. I decided to write a "test" article on a subject I was familiar with: rabbit as a good source of meat. Imagine my surprise when they published it! Granted it was a decent article but I had not hoped to have such instant fortune. Not that the pay would equal fortune of any kind but the pittance was encouraging! Of course, it was then reviewed again and they pulled their offer because I didn't cite my source correctly. But a quick edit and it was accepted once more. The forum appears to be extremely helpful and filled with people very familiar with the process. Writing articles is not nearly as fun as writing fiction but they don't take long and could build into a humble income with some dedication. Here's the article for those who are interested:
Rabbit: It's What's for Dinner

Getting started -- word by word

As I begin to hone my talents and focus on how to further myself as a writer, I thought it would be helpful to have a blog of sorts that I can use to connect to other writers and of course practice my work writing. Too often writing has become a hobby of convenience for me, one that is secondary to all the other life-clutter that inevitably comes up exactly as I'm sitting down at the keyboard to write. That needs to change. As we are fresh into a new year, I am shifting my perspective on many things, one of them being the time I dedicate to the craft of writing.

So here we stand -- word by word, focusing on creating something out of mental oblivion.

Cheers,
Lindsay