JPReinhold

I aim to repulse.

Not this response at ALL - But I also agree with the sentiment that form letters are form letters. It actually really annoys me to get form letters from lit magazines that are absurdly long and pretend to be genuine. Giving specific feedback would be useful, but I write corporate drivel for a living. I know how to write sappy, well-meaning form communication. It does not mean I, or the corporations I write for, care a single bit. I can’t stand disingenuous rejection. I do not need a 3 page email about how difficult everything is for everyone and how lovely you find the moon in Autumn (that you’ve sent to 500 other people). Just say “no thanks”. Much more honest. Alternatively, I’ve had “we love your work so much” conversations in recent days with people who can’t get my name right and clearly don’t remember my writing sample. I don’t like having any kind of smoke blown into my nethers.

I also applied to Brown and assume I have no chance whatsoever of getting in. In my mind, it just seems implausible.

First of all YESSSS @Ydrl! Also, at the risk of being that guy, any whisper news in Cornell? I have tried to keep this to myself, but it’s my top pick. I have believed until now that there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that I might get in, but I’m starting to think I have a shot. Dying to hear from them, Iowa, and Michigan. ?

Marshall - that you?

I’d like to say that it’s anxiety that’s fueling this mess, but I think I might just be like this ?‍♂️

Our anxiety is FIRE.

I have a really beautiful, yellowed, paperback translation of TALES OF GOOD AND EVIL that is absolute poetry in places.

What is “narrowly influenced” anyway? In the age of film, television, and the internet - we’re surrounded by (art? Literature?) media constantly. Even if you made a concerted effort to read nothing but Nabokov, you still see the writing of 100 different people on the daily. You look at different art, engage in different kind of conversations about politics, science, history... all of these influence your writing. This all happens after you’ve been influenced by your studies, socioeconomic background, religious texts, regional education and dialect, etc etc etc. I’d argue no one is truly narrowly influenced.

I can’t speak to the process for all universities, but I know that FSU has historically sent out acceptances and waitlists and then ghosted everyone else until the 11th hour (only to send out rejections). I have considered my FSU application dead in the water for that reason. If you want that kind of gas for Oklahoma State, I would look at last year’s data.

I have a fully-funded fiction offer and included a flash piece between two short stories. I felt very strongly about that piece of flash, though I’d heard flash is not generally looked upon in a kind light. I wanted to show I could sustain a longer story, but I also felt that bit of flash was particularly moving. It was my only fiction app and it was accepted, so I can’t speak to a pattern. If you have impressive flash publications, I’ve heard that mentioning them in your CV is a good way to extend your portfolio without directly including flash. Something to consider if you apply next cycle.

I realized yesterday that all of this is really just pre-draft discussions. It seems the people who are getting acceptances are getting multiple right now, so a lot of waitlist seats will get freed up once those people make final decisions. A LOT of people are going to wait until the last day to make the call because the pandemic creates so much uncertainty. The odds are skewed because the same top candidates get selected in multiple programs, meaning a lot of people in the middle ground may get seats once all the dust settles. The real deal is April 15. That day's going to be a bumpy ride.

I'm still waiting to hear from FSU and University of Oregon. I'm assuming it's a "shove off into the mist" response as well since other responses and waitlists have gone out. I'd like the closure though. Really waiting to hear from Michigan, Cornell, Iowa, and Brown. I know those are long shots, but I'm glad I threw my hat in the ring. The anxiety of waiting to be rejected from those is murder. If I end up on a waitlist and it gets drawn out until April 15, I may lose my mind.

Try going back to the main forum page and doing a search. You’re on the creative writing forum

Don't apologize for anything like this. Society sucks for trans people... *edited to delete vulnerable stuff that is now giving me anxiety* ...You're brave in your honesty. You chose your pronouns today for how you'd like to be referred to and what feels right for you - that's nothing to apologize for. Be kind to yourself. ❤️

My grandmother would say you are borrowing worry. That’s tomorrow’s trouble; wait until all the chips fall to worry yourself sick ❤️

Hey now - that first master's made me a lot of money. Now I can afford to get an MFA ?

I had the same experience with law school. That being said, life is long, and here I am at 34. Writing will not leave you if you take time to do something else. Writers will always write, and if it's what you love, you'll continue to improve until you're ready to go do an MFA. I feel very prepared to go do this MFA (with a master's in another field and a law school drop out) - a lot more so than I would have been 15 years ago. I'm financially also in a position where I won't be stressed about the small stipend. I'll be able to eat fruits and vegetables while I write

I don’t know if this makes any difference to your “devil’s advocate” approach, but this person also used their position as a poet to commit these crimes. I don’t want to elaborate as you have google, but giving a platform back to someone who once used it to prey upon children is wrong under every moral code, I would have to think.

Oh my.

I hit the REJECT ME ALREADY, YOU COWARDS wall about a month ago. I've been living on dread and Little Debbie oatmeal snack cakes. I feel so lucky that I got an acceptance a week ago because the SPIRAL, people. THE SPIRAL.

I also grew up in the Midwest and most of MY writing is full of corn, soybeans, and despair! *extends hands to shake*

Or at least insanely anxiety-ridden.

YAAS. Celebrate. Elevate the experience - drink it from a champagne flute.

I just checked - I have that option as well.