monoceros blogsWell, it's official, I'm done as a first-year in the MFA program. We just had our last workshop this evening at a friend's place. We had a little gathering with the second-years who came to celebrate our director, who's expecting a little boy this June. Good food, laughter and then we chased the second-years out (they handed in their theses today!) so we could have our last workshop of the semester and year.
Wow, it's been a great year. I can't believe how quickly it went by. I took some terrific classes, had some sleepless nights (very recently too), and I survived. I'm kind of happy about it all, glad that I made it, that I survived. The second year will be tougher and I'm a little afraid. I'll be a second-year, expected to be wiser; I'll be an instructor at the university, expected to have authority and wisdom. It'll be pretty hard to balance studying, writing and teaching. I don't know how I'll survive. Best thing to do, most important thing to do, is to write the rest of my thesis this summer so I won't have to agonize over writing new material this fall. I will just revise the first drafts written over the summer.
I'm thinking of writing a novella or the start of a novel too. It'll be tough since these long-term projects frighten me. My friend Elizabeth has been working on her novel for the past 8 years. I can't imagine working on something for so long. But I think I'd like to try completing a novel in my lifetime. To have a life's work, this one long book. The great American novel, if you're American, I suppose. I don't want mine to be a great Singaporean novel because it doesn't have the same tone to it, but well, it will be a great work in my life, I think.
And then I'd like to write a long children's novel, or young adults novel, for my kids next time. It might never get published, of course, but I'd like to write things for my children. A long adventure.
Okay, tonight is my night for a good night's rest with no fear of more work the following day. I'm still nursing my cough, which has made my throat rather congested (the phelgm makes me think of little elephants caught in my throat each morning) and my voice very husky. I've gone from alto to basso in two days.
Posted by Monoceros at April 21, 2004 10:44 PMwell done Vanny! i hope you are allowing your body to recover!! i too am looking forward to the end of the academica year! but it will be a while away for me since we are still in the last year with a 3-term system... next academic year the uni will move into semesters... studying, writing and teaching is hard... but you'll manage.... i think i did (re: research, writing, teaching)...but of course it can be frustrating because you want them all to be good. .. and preparations take too much time. but i'd imagine you'll get more support from the staff then i have here. but it's rewarding and there's no better way to know what you know by sharing it with others and learn from mistakes!
would love to learn more about writing from you... i hope we will see each other in summer!! can't wait!!
Posted by: tiggie at April 22, 2004 5:26 AMyep, well done Vanny! Don't fret about not getting published 'cos i'm sure your works will be one day! In any case, there's always the vanity press. haha.
But i'm looking forward to reading all your works! And your children's books will make you the next JK Rowling! If i have kids, i'll make sure they read your books! :p
Posted by: joan at April 22, 2004 9:34 AMwell done and congratulations on completing your first year! i think writing a book for your future kids is a beautiful idea. :) i can't seem to remember the stories my mother told me as a child, if only she had written them down...
I hope your voice gets better soon, rest well! :)
Posted by: a l at April 22, 2004 10:57 PMMay, all the best to you in finishing up the academic year! we'll certainly talk more about writing soon. I have a couple of suggestions for you. will write soon.
Haha, Joan, not sure about the JK Rowling thing...but I'll pass you the kiddie books when they're done...someday!
Thanks, Aileen! Yeah, I do hope I accomplish that, writing something for my kids, even if they're bitty songs and poems. My voice is on the mend very slowly I think. Not so raspy this morning.
Posted by: Van Heng at April 23, 2004 9:50 AMAt last you've made it through the first year! Well done and good work! Good idea on writing children's books. Hope your first book can be ready before your kid comes along. = )
We are looking forward to have you home soon. Until then, have fun in NY.