On the second semester.

Miracle Maddie

There’s nothing new really to share about Maddie, and that’s actually good news. She’s holding steady, staying healthy, and continuously working hard on therapy. We’re all really excited for her upcoming trip to Mexico for a stem cell treatment. A lot of parents in the support group all share about the gains they’ve seen in their brain-injured children after such treatments. It’s just hard to be patient; this road to recovery is a long and winding one.

 

Ireland

I started classes for my second semester. On Monday, I have two classes: Advanced Editing: Creating a Literary Journal 2 and Creative Writers in the Community. They’re both more practical classes. For Advanced Editing, I volunteered to be a technical editor and will be trained in actually creating the literary journal via software. I’m excited because bringing the literary magazine back to the program I taught in the States has been on my radar for a while now. In Creative Writers in the Community, I’ll be teaching Creative Writing to secondary students…much like I did in the States. How perfect!

On Tuesday, I have one class: Individual Creative Writing Project. It’s not a traditional class. We won’t be meeting as large group weekly, but I will have one-to-one meetings with my reader, the fabulous Kit de Waal. She’ll give me specific feedback and work I submit and I cannot be more excited! Last semester, she and I had a wonderful conversation that really spring boarded me back into drafting Lightning Strikes. I think she’s exactly the right person to help me continue working on this manuscript.

Wednesday is my day off. Today, I treated myself to breakfast at Scholar’s and read a book at the library. It’s wonderful.

On Thursday, I have one class: Principles of Storytelling for Creative Writers. Donal Ryan teaches this and I am GEEKING OUT! He’s just an absolutely brilliant writer and to learn from him directly about the craft is just an invaluable opportunity. I’ll probably be all sweaty and nervous.

On Friday, I have one class: Creative Writing II. This is a continuation of workshop from last semester. This time around, we have to submit three different pieces and Donal Ryan leads it rather than Sarah Moore Fitzgerald. I’m so excited! I got to keep my lead reader from last semester which is wonderful because he understands my intention and style and always provides valuable feedback.

And this weekend, I’ll be attending a writer’s festival in Doolin with my good friend Ruth. It’s great to be back in the Emerald Isle!

Writing

I’ve got to get cracking on re-establishing my writing routine. I wrote maybe about 1,000 words since getting back on campus, which isn’t bad, but I also desperately need to organize the writing I’ve done.

I haven’t heard anything about Moody Blue, but between the holidays and the Operations Manager stepping down, I’m sure things at the publisher have been hectic. If I don’t hear anything this week, I will definitely reach out next week.

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