My Rebel MFA Degree Update
What's been happening, where I'm at and where I'm going.
As I gear up for an intense Q3 and Q4 of the year, I figured it would be a good idea to update y’all on the progress of my Rebel MFA Degree (TLDR; it’s going awesome).
To recap the past few months of insanity (but in the best way possible):
I finished up my Horror Writing Workshop Class (generating about 15,000 words)
Started and finished a 30 Day Sprint Writing Cohort
Edited and Published my nonfiction book, Forged in Fire: Writing Fiction to Heal
Attended a “Finding Your Story Through Adaptation” class
Attended a masterclass on “Making Money as a Creative”
Cleaned up and prepped my WIP that I took to the Dublin Workshop
Critiqued 40,000 words for my peers at the Dublin Workshop
Attended the Dublin Writing Workshop
Attended the first of three classes in the “Bone-Keeper Stories”
Attended the “Gifts and Wounds through Myth” seminar series
Attended the “Rebirth of Mis” Workshop
Wrote 30+ articles between The Augurly, The Rebel MFA Way and my website
Read 15 books
Published 4 podcast episodes (with 4 more recorded — more on this further down)
Phew. That’s a fucking lot. And this list doesn’t include the programs, workshops, and random other things that are ongoing throughout the year like the Myth-Tenders Year Long Intensive with Danielle Dulsky or Alchemy Leap Program with Alisha Wielfaert or my weekly writing sessions, community, and workshops that I lead.
Back in December, I had this vision of myself being consumed with writing and the writing life. I’m sure I even wrote about it (I’m too lazy to go back and find where, though). And so far, this year has proven to be just that — a massive consumption of writing and the writing world, and it’s been glorious.
I haven’t felt this creatively alive in a very long time. And what I’ve been learning about this time in my life is that creativity begets creativity. It’s not just the writing that I feel inspired by; it’s the dance classes I’m taking, observing the birds who come to our feeders, and the conversations I’m having. If I ever needed evidence that being creative is vital to my life force, this is it.
After publishing Forged in Fire, I made a promise to myself and wrote it on a sticky note. I’m sharing it with you here:
When I wrote this promise, I wasn’t sure what “doubling down” actually meant for me. More writing classes? Teaching more writing classes? Writing more articles? Writing more books? But the biggest gift I gave myself was that of discovery. I didn’t pressure myself to figure out what that meant right away.
I’ve been learning to trust in the divine timing and guidance, and I have to tell you — it has not led me astray yet.
And here I am, halfway through the year, doubling down in ways I could have never imagined possible. I feel more than ever that I’m living and embodying the writing life. It may not be exactly what I “pictured” it would be, but it’s so amazingly fulfilling I can’t explain it properly. There are no words for living out your calling. There just isn’t. And that’s how I know this is exactly what I’m supposed to be engaging in for the rest of my life.
Requirement Progress for the Degree
So, I’ve got to admit I think I’m KILLING it with my Rebel MFA Degree requirements. I’ve linked the original post if you need a refresher on what exactly I’m aiming for with this whole Rebel MFA Degree stuff, but in looking over what I set out as goals for myself, I’m already verging on doubling what I thought I wanted/needed to do for it.
The publication of Forged in Fire technically checks off the “The final development of a book-length manuscript suitable for publication” requirement, but let’s be fussy and say that it needs to be a fictional book-length manuscript… and that is in progress, my friends.
So that leaves me with two major projects to complete my self-appointed requirements:
The final development of a fictional book-length manuscript suitable for publication
A thesis
And I am in the midst of both of those. One of the most exciting developments to happen organically, and to my surprise, was my acceptance into a mentorship program with a well-known author. Within this mentorship, I will be working with my mentor on both my fictional manuscript and my thesis (sneak peek on the subject/topic below!). I also was offered an opportunity to connect with a former co-writer to work on another book in the series we started.
Takeaways So Far
I mentioned some of my takeaways, but there have been so many learning experiences throughout the past few months that it would feel neglectful not to name them. I also want to be transparent about how we learn things about ourselves that we don’t expect or didn’t know we needed to learn.
One of the biggest hurdles I’ve faced (and still struggle with) is a deep and pervasive sense of Imposter Syndrome. I am my own worst critic, and I’ve always found ways to tear myself down in this regard. But when I was in Dublin, some moments hit me like a ton of bricks when I was in class or in conversation with the other writers: I am a good writer. I do belong at the table. I can offer valuable and important lessons to others. It was the first time in my adult life that I felt worthy of being in attendance. I’d earned it. And I finally accepted that I did.
I’ve been teaching, facilitating, and leading writing workshops, classes, and seminars for years now, but previous to this year, it was done in a “fake it til you make it” approach (which I actually despise, btw) even when the feedback I received after doing them was amazing. It wasn’t until this year, during my teachings, that I built the confidence to believe that I’m a very good teacher/facilitator/leader. And that, yes, again, I deserve a seat at the table.
As I’ve doubled down on my classes, writing, and discussions, I’ve noticed that having the support and community around these things is crucial. More crucial than I could have ever imagined. Living the “writing life” gets lonely and defeating sometimes, and not many people “get” it. But other writers? They do. Not only do they get it, but they help reinforce the need for a support system. My community members guide, support, and teach me just as much as I do for them.
When I started my Rebel MFA Way Podcast as a quietly ambitious goal, I had yet to learn where it would go or what I wanted to do with it. The original intention for the podcast is still very much intact, but it’s taking a very ebb-and-flow pivot. I find that the things I most want to talk about are issues that are relevant to me through the lens of storytelling. And while I’m committed to doing that, I also want to leave room for the original intention: to have conversations with friends on issues we all face. This is one project that I’ve learned I have to let unfold as it wants to. It cannot be contained or reduced to a singular process.
What’s Next?
Not a break! Who am I, if not the batshit crazy woman taking on the world? I joke… kind of. The rest of my year is completely booked out, but I’m sure you assumed that. I have a full load of classes, projects I’m working on, and events I’m teaching at, facilitating, or leading. I thought it would be fun to give you a sneak peek at ALL the things. Let me know if you find any of them as exciting as I do!
Classes/Programs I’m Starting and Finishing:
Finishing — The Bone-Keeper Stories
Finishing — Somatic Writing to Connect with Your Body, Ancestors & Land
Starting — Breaking into Television: Writing your first episodic script
Starting — Taylor Swift as Craft
Starting — Haunted: Literary Ghost Stories
Starting — When Memoir Becomes Autofiction
Starting — The Honeyed Quest Program with Danielle Dulsky
Starting — Monstrous Women in Stories
Starting — 3 Month Mentorship Program
Creative Projects I’m Working on:
Recording/Publishing episodes of The Rebel MFA Way Podcast
Working on the second draft of my WIP, Project Riley (with my mentor and other workshops)
Potentially co-writing a new book in a past series and starting a brand new series with this co-writer
Relaunch of writing on a new serialized platform with early access to my much anticipated (and never published) novel, Until They Burn
Working on my thesis (horror + women + rage)
*Classes/Workshops/Seminars I’m Teaching and/or Facilitating:
hi, it’s me: writing female anti-heroes we root for
embracing word witchery: divination & prophecy writing
badass bitches: writing female badasses we admire
a seat at the table: female writers in male dominated genres
Rising from the Roots: A deep journey into the book If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie
Each of these has a waitlist in place, so be sure to click on them if something sounds interesting so you know when enrollment opens!
There you have it — a massive word-vomit explanation of how things are going for me and my Rebel MFA Degree. I hope you enjoyed an in-depth look at what I’ve been learning, how I’ve been growing, and how I plan to continue both and share the knowledge with others.
*(topics and timing may change/evolve)
That is a lot!!!! You are amazing.
I just discovered Sharon Blackie and I'm intrigued about your upcoming program!