Let’s face it, there’s been a lot going on. Not only in the world, but in my personal world, as well. And I’m not the only one. I’ve heard so much about the upheavals in friends’ lives, and have to wonder if the butterfly effect might be unbalancing us all…

“Please send polished work only. Trust us, we can tell.” “Keep writing your fun stories for self-expression.” “You don’t need an MFA to write.” “…not quite a fit for us at this time.” “Sadly, we must decline your submission at this time.” “…the staff has unfortunately decided that this submission is not the right fit for us.” “We wish we were writing with more joyous news, but unfortunately, we are declining your application…”

I want to talk about my failures. I want so much to say that my MFA application rejections in March and April were devastating. The multiple publication rejections I’ve recently received are humiliating. I can’t even express the crushing weight of getting rejected into workshops that are intended to help…

It was the University of South Dakota, forwarded by the person I look to for grad program advice from UCI. Thanks, but I will not be applying. Honestly, I would much prefer not to have an MFA. Getting an MFA is my single most important focus in my life, so…

Good news, and bad news. Good news: I got a job. I am going to be a part-time teaching assistant at a non-profit afterschool program. I don’t love the hours since it will prevent me from optimizing time with my kids. However, it will be good to start doing something…

It is not news that Annihilation is my favorite movie. The simultaneous beauty and horror of the movie make my heart flutter. Still, I am not here to talk about Annihilation. I watched Men the other day, and I am torn. Once again, Garland has delivered some deeply disturbing images…

I remember the first quarter at UCI. The leaves were changing, and I had just spent the summer trying to push my way into school early by taking a “University Studies” course. …

Well, I do have an offer of an unfunded program through Antioch University, which I have accepted with delayed enrollment while I finish the applications at other schools. That is not what is so incredible to me — it is that I have received approval for Letters of Recommendation from…

My friend and I have been talking a lot about starting an actual writing group since school ended. I was introduced to her by a former instructor who I highly value as a wonderful creative mind. The instructor told me in a meeting that there was someone around my age…