Update from the MFA Trenches

Aside from my couple SFFS posts, I know I've been on the silent end, but as mentioned at the beginning of the year, I have a lot on my plate, and I am attempting to plan and restructure things for when I finally graduate.

I figured I was at least due for an update, though. =)

My classes are as crazy as I thought they would be. Between my toddler and all the class work, I am exhausted! I'm not even halfway through the term and I am burned out.

So, where does this leave me with my writing? I'm still making progress on Dead As Dreams - I estimate about 5-6 chapters left to write in the rough draft. I have yet to get a handle on the Write Every Day goal, but I'll get there, I'm sure. Baby Steps. ;)

I did make the time to participate in two things this month, which were great experiences!

I was part of a podcast for Broad Universe's monthly podcasts, Broadly Speaking. February's is about romance in speculative fiction, so feel free to have a listen if you're interested.

Then I guest blogged at Heidi Ruby Miller's blog for her Secret Writers series. That was great fun as well!

The couple times I participated in Science Fiction and Fantasy Saturday (SFFS) was a blast too - I hope everyone liked the snippets I posted.

Also I have a couple reminders before I wrap up this post.

Writing Quest - March starts tomorrow, and the event is already posted on Facebook, so feel free to join us and tell us what your writing goals are for the month.

And I can't forget to mention the In Your Write Mind Workshop that's coming up in June. I'll be at the residency this year, but since they coincide, I'll be around. In Your Write Mind is a great retreat run by the alums of Seton Hill's Writing Popular Fiction Program!

That should do it for now. It's time to convince myself to work on more class work instead of giving into the desire to take a nap. Happy writing, all!

SFFS Snippet - 2/25/12

Drawn to her, [Bastian] couldn't stop from turning his head, watch her place a loose hair behind her ear and smooth her dress, her bags now at her feet. If Simon's worries ended up nothing more than paranoia, perhaps this wouldn't be a wasted trip. A hum sounded in his mind, reaching its vibration through his entire body. A little fun never hurt.

From The Mind Behind the Mind, Chapter 2

Leera is a world where the bloody sun is said to be the head of the witch that was killed by the first witch hunter. To prove the good intentions of her people, Tessa pursues a murderer, joins forces with Bastian, a witch hunter, and puts her life and the lives of her fellow witches at risk.

Please visit Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFS) to read more great snippets!

SFFS Snippet - 2/11/12

Tessa imagined what the orchards would look like if the irrigation failed. Twining fruitless branches stretching upward, imploring the sky to open and bring forth rain. She regarded the trees, envisioning their lifeless husks, and noticed a tree with two shadows. One of the shadows shifted. Cold tendrils wove into her mind. The shadow shouldn't have been there; it was wrong.

From The Mind Behind the Mind, Chapter 1

Leera is a world where the bloody sun is said to be the head of the witch that was killed by the first witch hunter. Tessa is a witch and Bastian is a witch hunter, with witchblood. They're drawn together, caught between others struggling for power, and trying to discover who they are and what they are to each other.

Please visit Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFS) to read more great snippets!

Survey of Blog Topics!

I've been reading Booklife by Jeff VanderMeer (there is also a website associated with the book - http://booklifenow.com/) for one of my classes. It's an informative and frightening book all at the same time.

One of the small things VanderMeer suggests earlier in the book is to offer a survey to your blog readers, especially if you're unsure if the topics you're blogging about keep the interest of your readers. What a great tip!

So, without further ado, I present my short, 5 question survey. I would appreciate any and all feedback on Born to Write! Survey on Born to Write Blog Topics.

I think this just might be the thing I need to help me determine the direction of my blog (once I am no longer swamped with endless class work, that is...only a few more months).

As a quick reminder, Writing Quest - February has begun! It's leap year, so we have an extra day for our goals. =)

Thank you in advance for helping out with the survey - much appreciated!