koechophe

https://halfwaydownthestairs.net/2020/09/01/latency-by-ben-watson/ https://www.whlreview.com/no-15.3/fiction/BenWatson.pdf Not the pieces I'm the most proud of, since I haven't been trying to get published lately (and by that I mean, since early 2019) but I guess someone liked them lol.

Really, good for you! It's easy to get distracted by life and not focus on achieving a good emotional equilibrium, so good on you for spending time to worry about yourself. It's something really valuable, and I wish more people were mature enough to do it. After grad school, I took a day job in media. I work as a ghost writer online--if you've ever seen an article written by "news staff," that's pretty much what I do all day. I scour the internet for short-form local stories and write them up, and I manage a bunch of social media pages. I think it's a good job for an aspiring writer, it definitely helps me practice. But not something I want to do forever--it's easier to think kind thoughts of the world when you don't spend a lot of time in news and managing social media pages. Writing lol. But it isn't the best one right now--writing has this tendency to make me more anxious about grad school, weirdly enough. I also sing, my mom was a vocal coach (not as her day job, but she was professionally trained) so I've got a decent background in voice. It's a pretty good one for me. I also cook, I find cooking very relaxing. I know that's not for everyone though. I'm also a Christian, and I spend a lot of time volunteering at my local church. Finding opportunities to do good things for other people helps me focus less on my own worries (as cliché as that sounds) My wife helps a lot too. During last year's cycle, I started dating a good friend of mine who I'd known for almost two years. Since then, we got married, and we're living together. Have been for the last 6 months or so, and she's really been awesome. I've often said that if I had to pick one thing to go right, I'd choose my relationship with her over grad school any time. Impressive that I have 0 schools in common with you lol. I also did a mix of stretch and safety schools, but we seem to have hit different ones. Anyway, I'm doing: University of Maryland John Hopkins University Brown University University of Michigan Virginia Tech Boise State University Arizona State University University of Wisconsin - Madison University of Florida University of Idaho University of Virginia was on my list, I think in slot 12, but I limited myself to 10 applications, so we ended up with this.

@MDP what's your list, out of curiosity?

Yes, yes I am =). As much as I'm just a 25-year-old, I'm also to this point as a writer where I feel like I really crave more advanced peers and instructors. My undergraduate was amazing for the first few years. I had teachers who knew a lot more than me, I had writing groups where I got all these new opinions, and I blossomed and grew a lot. But then I hit this point where I felt like I knew about as much as most of my instructors when it came to writing theory. My instructors started giving me less and less feedback other than "you did this well," and I stopped getting anything but positive feedback from my writing groups. I had to scrounge more and more for advice on writing, and I entered the role of mentor rather than student. And don't get me wrong, I love the role of mentor. I worked as a tutor all throughout undergraduate and I managed a writer's workshop. I was a creative writing instructor too for other student employees. It was great, but I'm craving a truly advanced group of writers that I can worth with, learn from, and grow with. As much as it's like literally nothing in comparison to the long, long periods of time people have spent, I've been writing seriously since I was fifteen. I've been extremely active on online writing forums and advice sites, I've read so many books on the craft, and I really do feel like I'm ready for the next stage. I don't think that age = experience. I don't think any reasonable person would say that I'm not an advanced writer PURELY because I'm 25 (they are welcome to make that argument for other reasons ?) And for reference, I thought it was a good question that maybe other people might wonder about, which is why I posted my experiences. I'm ignoring the off-color comments in the post, because I know better than to feed the troll.

Yeah, I feel that too. Like, I feel better about my application. My writing sample is a lot stronger, my personal statement is WAY stronger, my resume looks better, I actually have a degree now instead of being in the middle of my senior year, and here's hoping we won't have as awful of a year as last year (apparently global pandemic = let's all go to grad school?) My recommendation is to have some good friends or colleagues read your stuff. It's been just about the only thing that's boosted my ego after I had last year's straight rejections too. And right now, having friends view my writing helps me avoid that death-circle in my brain of "maybe you only THINK you're a good writer, since grad schools clearly didn't." I've trained my friends and family NOT to say "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get in!" because that one just really wasn't helpful (and also was what pretty much everyone said last year, and, well, I obviously didn't.) If you're into super deep sci-fi, I've been reading the Otherland series by Tad Williams and enjoying it. His prose and pacing aren't the best, but character development is solid, and world building is fabulous. It smacks of realism more than a lot of sci-fi I've read.

Hey, seriously, good on you! I was a bit defensive about Ydrl because after being here last year, I have a high opinion of her and I deeply respect her decision to move on from a program that's not helping her improve--I think that's a very brave and tough thing to do, and shows real devotion to the craft. I'm also a bit defensive about writers who aren't super amazing at the craft. That's not what everyone shoots for with writing, you know? I feel like the writing community should accept them with open arms. I'm that way because I used to be more of a snob with writing and was like, "Well, if you're not going to beat your writing with a critique stick until it's pretty, why are you even doing this?" And then I met more people like that, and I realized that some people just need to let out their words, never mind how effective it is. Some people don't want anything more than the expression and a few good friends who will read whatever they write, good or otherwise. And I came to really like those people, and wish the best for them ?

First off, Ydrl never said that phrase--that was another user who was summarizing. Ydrl just commented that she's not getting the feedback she needs to improve. It doesn't mean that the people around her aren't smart--maybe they excel at the same things Ydrl excels at, and she's lacking other perspectives that reveal weaknesses in her writing. Second, and more importantly, wanting to switch programs is not a sign of an inflated ego. We don't do MFA's because of career prospects (clearly.) We do it for an experience, and if Ydrl isn't having an experience that is helping her grow as a writer, that doesn't have ANYTHING to do with her ego. It just means her university wasn't a good fit for her. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and say that it seems like you're commenting on other people talking about Ydrl's posts, not Ydrl's posts themselves. But still, I think it's needlessly mean to accuse someone of an inflated ego simply because they're not having a good experience in their proram. The implication here is very off-putting. People are "real" writers even if they feel uninspired and are in a slump. They're real writers even if they are in less-than-ideal circumstances for a while and their writing suffers because of it. People are real writers even if they suck! I had a writing group in my undergraduate that I managed.We had some people that were serious and some people who used writing as therepy without caring how effective it was. Some people who just wrote fanfics all day long because they wanted to play, and some people who were so early in their craft that it was almost indecipherable. And you know what? They were all "real" writers.

Nope, I didn't even apply to Columbia. My last year list was: University of Utah University of Houston Oklahoma State University of Las Vegas, Nevada University of Lincoln Nebraska Florida State University University of Southern California Washington State University This year, my list is: University of Maryland John Hopkins University Brown University University of Michigan Virginia Tech Boise State University Arizona State University of Wisconsin - Madison University of Florida University of Idaho

Finally pushed "send" on my last application. Such a difference from last year, when I was scrambling to get them all out by their deadlines. I submitted most of mine this cycle more than a month before they were due. I guess that's what happens when you're not a full-time student taking more credits than you need to while also holding down a job and dating someone, and then a month before graduate schools want applications, you think, "Hey, I'm going to apply for grad school!" But anyway, I expected I'd feel better now that all the apps are in. Instead, I think I might feel worse lol. My brain just instantly clicked into this "have I done enough?" mode. Ah, well, I made it through last cycle with my sanity, likely will this time too ? Somewhere around the fourth or fifth application, you get this sort of numb feeling as you push that submit button. Also, trust me, I'd be panicking MUCH more if there was only one school I had the chances to get into. Having 10 on my list is a huge comfort, since I have 10 chances to get into a fully-funded program (Okay, well, BSU's 10k stipend borders on not being funded, but hey, they pay tuition).

Finally pushed "send" on my last application. Such a difference from last year, when I was scrambling to get them all out by their deadlines. I submitted most of mine this cycle more than a month before they were due. I guess that's what happens when you're not a full-time student taking more credits than you need to while also holding down a job and dating someone, and then a month before graduate schools want applications, you think, "Hey, I'm going to apply for grad school!" But anyway, I expected I'd feel better now that all the apps are in. Instead, I think I might feel worse lol. My brain just instantly clicked into this "have I done enough?" mode. Ah, well, I made it through last cycle with my sanity, likely will this time too ?

Just put in my first few applications! I'm a lot happier with my application package this cycle. Feel more confident on the writing sample and the personal statement.

More places will increase your odds that someone will like your stuff and say yes, but the money cost can't be ignored. If you can get fee waivers, there's no point in not trying. Otherwise, you've got to balance how much money you can spend, and are willing to spend, with how many schools you apply for. I know that's not super helpful, but it's really hard to know. Some people get 100% rejections when they apply to 15 schools, some people get 60% acceptance when they only apply to 5. If you can afford it, applying to more won't hurt. And it may end up preventing that feeling of "maybe if I'd applied to more schools, I would've gotten into one of them" later on. But if none of them accept you, it might end up feeling like a bigger waste of money. I applied for 8 schools last cycle, am doing 10 this time. Last cycle was pure rejections, but I don't regret applying for so many. I saved up for it, and putting myself out there felt worth the cost. But that was me, you do what's best for you.

Heya, I'm back for year two baby! (Let's pretend I'm excited about doing this Hell of an application process again, and maybe I'll even convince myself!) I see some familiar faces from last year. @Ydrl @cecsav Hi again! I am at a crossroads on my writing sample, and would love some advice that, all cards on the table, I may end up ignoring. The piece I personally feel strongest about is a deep psychological speculative fiction short story. But there's this small part of me (which has steadily been growing larger) that worries people will take one look at the obvious sci-fi elements and be like "NOPE, not literary." I have another piece that I'm not as confident on because it's one I wrote very recently, haven't had time to really make it pretty, and I'm not sure I can get it where i want it by the time my applications are due... but it's straight literary fiction. I feel like it ticks a few more boxes because it's about someone who's asexual trying to cope with a cis relationship, and I know that #ownvoices material is a big thing right now. But then there's this third part of me that's like, "I really like exploring magical realism / speculative fiction" so maybe I should go with the piece that is closer to what I want to do? But then again, I REALLY want to get in, so... These are the things bouncing around in my head. I've had a hard time understanding how big of a "no-no" it is to use pieces that are more genre-y in setting (not in actual composition). I know that varies with each school, but only two of the 10 schools I'm applying to actually addressed it. One said they tend to prefer literary because it tends to be better written, one said they encourage cross-genre experimentation and using genre elements (definitely sending in my speculative one to them). Anyone actually know any more about this? Thanks!

Not sure what the etiquette is. Should I email schools tomorrow if I still haven't gotten rejections today?

There's been some movement for CNF, but not much for fiction that I've seen.

I'm still hoping those last two schools will finally talk to me tomorrow or the next day... I never expected it to drag out this long for them. Waiting on UNLV and WSU (English, not MFA). I know it's probably no's, but I think I'd feel better if I knew it was definitely no's. It's hard to close the door when there's still that sliver of light leaking through.

I'm still waiting on them too. I got an email from the chair like march 22 where they said they were "still processing applications" and that they were hoping to have decisions out by April 1st, so I'm assuming it's a no? But it'll be nice to get that confirmation.

I definitely get it. I also feel a new resolution to keep practicing my craft and improving. I've been in a rut since I've been waiting for Grad schools to come through with answers, but coming out of this with the knowledge that I didn't get in, I feel fired up to keep writing and getting better.

I'll be here too. I'm not taking it as a failure that I didn't get in anywhere this year (that's the assumption, I'm happy to be proven wrong by my 2 remaining schools, but I feel that rejection is a safe bet), and I hope you don't either. I haven't "failed" as a writer. All my experience, my practice, my study, and my work is not, and will never be, a failure. I have come so far, and all that this shows me is that I need to go even farther to hit my goal next year. I could be crazy, but that prospect excites me! That I need to go even further to get in is a testament to the fact that when I do, I will be surrounded by people who are amazing. I am so thrilled to see how much better I will be and what lengths I will have taken my writing to in one year's time.

Congrats! I'm sure it'll be an awesome place to study

Still waiting on my last two rejections (curse you UNLV!) But anyway, another random question for people here. Has anyone had any "writer-ish" careers that they've had a great experience with coming out of undergrad? I've got some pretty decent ideas of what I'd like to do this year for a career while I wait to try again, but I'd love to hear about some of you folks' experiences

I'm super funky and like doing literary sci-fi, or other non-traditional literary fiction. The piece I posted here was a literary fiction about video game addiction (you know, that normal literary fiction topic that everyone always writes about). My most successful piece has been a literary magical realism type thing that I wrote in highschool (and have since re-written and revised about a hundred times). When I write genre fiction, I tend to blend tropes of literary fiction into it. When I write literary fiction, I tend to blend in some techniques of genre fiction. It's weird, but the pieces I've been the most proud of and had the most success with have been ones that push the line between the two.

Washington State University (MA in English--they've told me I wasn't in their initial round of acceptances, so I'm somewhere on an informal waitlist, but not high, I don't think) and University of Las Vegas (they told me they still haven't even done 1st round yet for the focus I picked. They have multiple focuses I also have been published a fair few times. I've been told, and experienced, that it's really not anything that will help/hurt you. I'd also be happy to swap work--but maybe in like 2 weeks, I'm in the middle of finals (my school is on a weird schedule).

While I'm just sitting here waiting for my last 2 rejections, anyone have any recommendations for online peer reviewing that are actually good? I've found (no offense to anyone) that doing random things online tends to result in me giving literal bags of advice, positive/negative feedback, and the works, and then me getting a "good job!" back in response.

That is honestly a shame. This year was a crapfest. I know right now probably isn't the best time to think about going through all the emotional turmoil of this process again, but if this is something you really want, I'd encourage you to try it at least one more time.