Education

Beginning in January, I will be getting feedback on the book I wrote this year, as well as some other projects I’ve been working on. I’m looking forward to the mentorship. What I want is to get my poems to a point where I feel they’re ready to be in a book. Whether or not I’ll publish that book…I don’t know. I just want the option.

I’m considering becoming a floral designer. I found interesting classes that seem to cover everything. Two of my favorite books to look at are The Flower Color Guide and Floriography. Creating bouquets would probably bring me a lot of joy.

Ideally, I’d like to put my floral skills to use decorating my church. I could make bouquets for different holidays and seasons. I have heard it’s fun and it looks fun and relaxing. Flowers can be artistic tools.

Sometimes I still consider doing an online (not low res) MFA. I found Lindenwood and Liberty. Both have classes that sound rewarding. On one hand I lean toward Liberty because it’s Christian. But on the other hand, Lindenwood has a docupoetics course I want, as well as some science fiction. SNHU has an MFA just for fiction. I can’t imagine not studying poetry, but at the same time, it would give me a chance to dive into science fiction and horror. And flash fiction.

However, I’ve been reading articles about people who got their MFA, and it killed their creativity so badly that they never wrote again after graduation. I can’t imagine that happening to me, but should I risk it? Then there’s the money to consider. I am aware the degree doesn’t lead to a job, but I’m not looking to rejoin the workforce, so that’s ok with me. C says he supports me doing an MFA for fun. I don’t know though if, in the case of the secular university, I want to support the sort of institution that hates me and the way I live my life. I also don’t know if I feel well enough to keep up with any school, especially full time. My housework is my priority, and that takes up a lot of my time. And I still need time to create visually too. Honestly, Bipolar Disorder makes things hard enough.

There’s also a seminary program in Media and Worship Arts that I’m interested in. I need to pray about it. Seminary is a huge commitment (bigger than an MFA), and I don’t want to try to take up a seat unless I’m called. It’s all online from a good school, and I like the way they acknowledge that worship is more than just singing. Worship goes way beyond music. Visual art, dance, writing, and so many other things can be worship if done to give glory to God. This is not a program that trains women as pastors but rather as Christian writers and artists and worship participants. That doesn’t worry me, as I believe it would be wrong for me to lead a church. But once again, I worry about keeping up with the workload.

I have been reading scifi and horror books on Hoopla. You can access the Year’s Best Horror anthology series for free (edited by Ellen Datlow. All her anthologies I’ve ever read are good), as well as the Best Science Fiction series. I am starting to write surreal flash fiction. Reading inspires me so much.

This winter will be full of learning, one way or another!