Last year, every school rejected me. This year, all but one have not rejected me. While much of my manuscript has been (or will be) published online, I thought I would share my SOP after the jump. When it came time to write this, I searched high and low for "winning" examples. I only found a few.
Not that I think this is the best statement ever. Already, I cringe in spots when I re-read it. But it was mentioned in two of my acceptance calls, so I figured it couldn't HURT the discussion. I have stripped all identifying sentences (note: this was modified for each school, most notably in the last couple of paragraphs).
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
365 days of being a writer: day 209
Not since I quit smoking have I committed myself so successfully to a thing as this writing exercise. I just wanted to note that to myself, out loud as it were.
I'm not always driven. Most days, I would gladly stay nestled under the blankets, surfacing only to read or order in some Chinese food. I have to fight daily against my nature, which would rather put off until later those unpleasant and boring tasks that make up so much of a life.
It seems, though, that I can only succeed in one direction at a time. Either I am running and working out and looking great, OR I am writing every day, submitting, and revising, OR I am knitting great piles of presents and apparel and designing patterns. My brain can't seem to do all three. So, these past seven months, I've gotten saggy and achey, the yarn is dusty and unmoved, but the words have piled up in great mountains.
I would like to think that once school starts, I will be able to spend a small bit of attention on one of the other two. Is this crazy? Will I be too freaked out and exhausted to do anything but school work? Won't there be time for a morning run or swim at the Rec center? Can I knit during lectures? Should I not worry about such tiny things just yet?
The last thing I did this evening (before writing this post) was write for an hour. I drafted next week's 52/250 and started to move around the text in the blackbird essay. I have a market that I want to try it on, and the deadline is April 15th. So much is due on the 15th: I'm glad my taxes, at least, are done.
I'm not always driven. Most days, I would gladly stay nestled under the blankets, surfacing only to read or order in some Chinese food. I have to fight daily against my nature, which would rather put off until later those unpleasant and boring tasks that make up so much of a life.
It seems, though, that I can only succeed in one direction at a time. Either I am running and working out and looking great, OR I am writing every day, submitting, and revising, OR I am knitting great piles of presents and apparel and designing patterns. My brain can't seem to do all three. So, these past seven months, I've gotten saggy and achey, the yarn is dusty and unmoved, but the words have piled up in great mountains.
I would like to think that once school starts, I will be able to spend a small bit of attention on one of the other two. Is this crazy? Will I be too freaked out and exhausted to do anything but school work? Won't there be time for a morning run or swim at the Rec center? Can I knit during lectures? Should I not worry about such tiny things just yet?
The last thing I did this evening (before writing this post) was write for an hour. I drafted next week's 52/250 and started to move around the text in the blackbird essay. I have a market that I want to try it on, and the deadline is April 15th. So much is due on the 15th: I'm glad my taxes, at least, are done.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
365 days of being a writer: day 208
I wrote a whopping 250 words today for Friday's 52/250. I know, I know, please, hold your applause until everyone's name has been called.
I feel like I've made my decision about school, but I can't really MAKE it until all the facts are in evidence. Which will be after spring break. Which is next week. So I keep thinking the same things over and over. Asking the same questions and trying out different answers.
I also tried to compile all of my old cnftweets. I can't believe I wasn't writing those down. There's no record before November, and it seems like I had a bunch in September and October.
That's all I can really string together, cogent thoughts-wise. Good night, spider monkeys and snow leopards.
I feel like I've made my decision about school, but I can't really MAKE it until all the facts are in evidence. Which will be after spring break. Which is next week. So I keep thinking the same things over and over. Asking the same questions and trying out different answers.
I also tried to compile all of my old cnftweets. I can't believe I wasn't writing those down. There's no record before November, and it seems like I had a bunch in September and October.
That's all I can really string together, cogent thoughts-wise. Good night, spider monkeys and snow leopards.
Friday, March 11, 2011
365 days of being a writer: day 207
You know what's both the best and worst position for an over-analyzer to be in? The place with many options and tons of non-equal metrics.
I reached a place of overstimulation this afternoon. I got some great notes back from Faculty at KSU, heard from a U Washington student, and sat on pins and needles all day waiting to hear back from TTU (all I heard was that word is on it's way).
When I got home from work, I finished a book written by one of my -possible- professors. It is a moving and arresting account, and made me want very badly to be his student.
Now, I am going to dive into another book. One that has been on the shelf for awhile, and that I had no intention of reading next, but which might contain a complementary subtext that speaks to this last book.
When I hear some MFA hopefuls (or some current grad students) start talking about critical theory, I feel very uneducated and behind. This feeling has always motivated me to find out, to know. My mind is so full it feels like the gray matter is swirling like a Japanese whirlpool. I am going to submerge myself in this novel and maybe fall asleep early.
I hope there is some dreamy hint, some hidden sign while I sleep, that points the next way.
I reached a place of overstimulation this afternoon. I got some great notes back from Faculty at KSU, heard from a U Washington student, and sat on pins and needles all day waiting to hear back from TTU (all I heard was that word is on it's way).
When I got home from work, I finished a book written by one of my -possible- professors. It is a moving and arresting account, and made me want very badly to be his student.
Now, I am going to dive into another book. One that has been on the shelf for awhile, and that I had no intention of reading next, but which might contain a complementary subtext that speaks to this last book.
When I hear some MFA hopefuls (or some current grad students) start talking about critical theory, I feel very uneducated and behind. This feeling has always motivated me to find out, to know. My mind is so full it feels like the gray matter is swirling like a Japanese whirlpool. I am going to submerge myself in this novel and maybe fall asleep early.
I hope there is some dreamy hint, some hidden sign while I sleep, that points the next way.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
365 days of being a writer: day 206
Coney Island has found a home! I will surely throw a link up when it is posted, but in the meantime, check out the new digs: Used Furniture Review.
Many conversations were had today over phone and email, about my future.
It's pretty cheesy.
I have always just coasted along with what was happening around me, afraid to steer myself. It's a hard habit to break (which is why I am asking everyone's advice. Overandoverandover. Poor everyone.) But this is what I want to do. Not what I can do, not what is easiest or kindest. This will push me and make me grow, which is something I have usually avoided.
Want to weigh in? What would you do? What would Kurt Vonnegut do? What would Janis Joplin do? What about Zonker?
Many conversations were had today over phone and email, about my future.
- The University of Arizona has offered me a fully funded spot for two years in their MFA.
- A current student of KSU had nothing but lovely things to say about the town and program. But he did say living alone would be tough on the stipend.
- I exchanged emails with someone I consider a mentor, she said keep my options open.
- University of Washington said I could always take extra lit classes while I work on my thesis.
- I called Portland State and declined their offer.
- A professor at a completely unrelated college who barely knows me from Adam strongly recommended in favor of MA > PhD
- Despite repeated refreshes of my Yahoo mail, the director at Tech has not responded to my Monday email full of questions. I sent another email (about just one question) to a different faculty member who I hope could help. I am a little scared that all the attentiveness of last weekend was... could it have been... a show? When do I follow up? Next week is their Spring Break.
- I posted a craigslist ad for my cat, but I may chicken out of it. Do you need a cat? Do you live in the greater Phoenix area?
It's pretty cheesy.
I have always just coasted along with what was happening around me, afraid to steer myself. It's a hard habit to break (which is why I am asking everyone's advice. Overandoverandover. Poor everyone.) But this is what I want to do. Not what I can do, not what is easiest or kindest. This will push me and make me grow, which is something I have usually avoided.
Want to weigh in? What would you do? What would Kurt Vonnegut do? What would Janis Joplin do? What about Zonker?
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
365 days of being a writer: day 205
The plot thickens!
I had a long conversation today with Maya Sonenberg about the University of Washington. It turns out that the funding waitlist I am on, is for FULL funding. No tuition, health insurance, plus a slightly larger stipend than TTU. That is officially a better offer. If I get it.
I was telling her about my concerns about where I am educationally and how that relates to the MA, and her response was, "Don't sell yourself short. You got in here." Which is a very good point.
So what if I do an MFA and then a PhD? That would shore up my lit classes, give me more exposure to teaching etc, etc. The domino effect of THAT conversation is that I got excited about Wyoming again.
Then I wrote a long email full of questions to KSU (since I can't go visit). The letter back was really wonderful. It sounds like the campus is big and beautiful in an agg-school grandiose way like Tech (though the grad school offices are in the basement of the English building). But the town has a lot more in terms of green spaces: parks, trails, etc. Which I dig. Plus the campus has a botanical garden. (!!!)
The luxury and torture of choice! I really don't want to pick the wrong school. Because once I'm there, if it is between taking a break and a loan, I'll take out the loan. And THAT will make me nuts, just like the debt I have now makes me crazy and sad and stuck.
The good news for someone is that now that I have seen the official offer letter from Portland State, I will be politely (and graciously and damn--regretfully) declining it tomorrow. It is the coolest that they want me, and Tom Bissell seems like he would be a fantastic professor, but I just can't see going into debt to the tune of $40k or more when so many funded offers are on the table. That's crazy talk.
I have yet to hear what Arizona is offering--though if I get a TAship, it is apparently "usually granted" for both years. Hopefully they tell me soon. And at this point, I am not willing to entertain Penn State. I will assume rejection to keep my open slots to 6 (!!!!) which will be 5 (!!!!!!!!) tomorrow.
What would you do: go for an MA and hope that you got accepted into an MFA in two more years, or go for the MFA now and try for a PhD in two years? Wait. Don't answer.
I had a long conversation today with Maya Sonenberg about the University of Washington. It turns out that the funding waitlist I am on, is for FULL funding. No tuition, health insurance, plus a slightly larger stipend than TTU. That is officially a better offer. If I get it.
I was telling her about my concerns about where I am educationally and how that relates to the MA, and her response was, "Don't sell yourself short. You got in here." Which is a very good point.
So what if I do an MFA and then a PhD? That would shore up my lit classes, give me more exposure to teaching etc, etc. The domino effect of THAT conversation is that I got excited about Wyoming again.
Then I wrote a long email full of questions to KSU (since I can't go visit). The letter back was really wonderful. It sounds like the campus is big and beautiful in an agg-school grandiose way like Tech (though the grad school offices are in the basement of the English building). But the town has a lot more in terms of green spaces: parks, trails, etc. Which I dig. Plus the campus has a botanical garden. (!!!)
The luxury and torture of choice! I really don't want to pick the wrong school. Because once I'm there, if it is between taking a break and a loan, I'll take out the loan. And THAT will make me nuts, just like the debt I have now makes me crazy and sad and stuck.
The good news for someone is that now that I have seen the official offer letter from Portland State, I will be politely (and graciously and damn--regretfully) declining it tomorrow. It is the coolest that they want me, and Tom Bissell seems like he would be a fantastic professor, but I just can't see going into debt to the tune of $40k or more when so many funded offers are on the table. That's crazy talk.
I have yet to hear what Arizona is offering--though if I get a TAship, it is apparently "usually granted" for both years. Hopefully they tell me soon. And at this point, I am not willing to entertain Penn State. I will assume rejection to keep my open slots to 6 (!!!!) which will be 5 (!!!!!!!!) tomorrow.
What would you do: go for an MA and hope that you got accepted into an MFA in two more years, or go for the MFA now and try for a PhD in two years? Wait. Don't answer.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
365 days of being a writer: day 204
I miss my twitter writer friends. The new commute is so short there isn't any time to tweet.
Oh, yeah. And the University of Washington dropped a line accepting me into their program. I'm beyond floored, y'all. BEYOND. Giddy. Hopeful. Ridiculous. So! Excited!
Here's where we stand (for those of you keeping score at home):
YES
The MA thing. I need the foundation that an MA could give me. The more I think about it, the more I believe these next two years could improve my basic knowledge of literature AND of the graduate school process. Making me even MORE ready for an MFA in two years, or maybe even a PhD. Who knows? Unless something really dramatic happens in the Maybe and Waiting columns, it looks like it's a toss up between TTU and KSU right now.
Oh, yeah. And the University of Washington dropped a line accepting me into their program. I'm beyond floored, y'all. BEYOND. Giddy. Hopeful. Ridiculous. So! Excited!
Here's where we stand (for those of you keeping score at home):
YES
- Texas Tech (biggest pro: great program/faculty; biggest con: not quite totally funded)
- Kansas State (biggest pro: nature/science faculty; biggest con: higher cost of living than Tech/lower pay)
- UofWash (biggest pro: David Shields/Seattle; biggest con: waitlist for funding)
- UofAZ (biggest pro: one of the top 2 nonfiction programs; biggest con: only funded one year at a time-so no guarantee)
- Portland State (biggest pro: Portland; biggest con: no funding at all)
- UofWyoming (biggest pro: best program by far; biggest con: I think I want an MA first)
- Penn State (biggest pro: reputation/funding; biggest con: I think I want an MA first)
The MA thing. I need the foundation that an MA could give me. The more I think about it, the more I believe these next two years could improve my basic knowledge of literature AND of the graduate school process. Making me even MORE ready for an MFA in two years, or maybe even a PhD. Who knows? Unless something really dramatic happens in the Maybe and Waiting columns, it looks like it's a toss up between TTU and KSU right now.
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