Shannan, I'm so pleased to know you've found refuge in Canada. There are other ways to "MFA" your way in life that are far less toxic than what you've experienced, and I am confident you will find them / they will find you when the time is right. I commend you for making the changes you did in order to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and (hopefully) happy, and for your bravery in posting this morning's message. I agree with Debra N - our art and our work do impart truth and beauty to this world. Please keep it up, if that is your path. I do hope you get the peace you deserve, and can engage in whatever feeds your soul. (BTW, your San Fran address is still at the end of your message.) Becca
Shannan, this is a refreshing read, truly. I met you and your husband last Saturday during the workshop, Write Poems that get Published. I just was astonished how similar our life experiences are from reading your post, abuse and suicide attempts. My debut chapbook 'Ink' is actually just coming out this month by Kelsay Books, and it speaks about the violence, abuse and trauma of my childhood and young adulthood. And I have a powerful essay on 3 suicide attempts that just came out in an anthology Speak Up Against Stigma, Volume 3. I have often struggled with whether I should or should not enroll in an MFA Program. I am 69 years old and wasn't sure at this point if I should spend the time and money. And, living in this world of Trump now on the second go around, I have stopped reading the news when he was elected the second time. I feel powerless to stop the madness. But I believe our art and our work do impart truth and beauty to this world. I have enjoyed Beautiful Losers and Only Poems very much, and I thank you both for devoting your time and lives to helping poets like me and to the craft of poetry itself. Well done, Shannan! I am excited to see the doors and windows that will open for you because of your bravery to live your truth!
I love how many fucking times you said fuck! Great post! I can imagine the relief you feel being free of the U S. and that ridiculous MFA program. May your peace continue to grow large. ✌️
The smile that grew across my face as I read this 🧡 (Which is probably a creepy image...eh, oh well) Thank you for protecting that little girl on the steps all these years. I'm looking forward to reading your poetry and novel when you're ready to share them 🧡
You’ve captured so many issues with MFA programs, and I really don’t know what the next evolution of MFA programs will look like, but they desperately need to change, and I have glimmers of hope that you are involved in that evolution.
"I think a classroom ought to be a space where experiment is encouraged as much as if not more than experience." YES! And lots of other stuff you wrote.
Congratulations on dumping your MFA. They are not necessary for most of us, and they are only badges worn like medals earned during wars. They mean something to whomever earned them, but they are not required to write and create--any more than all soldiers who risk their lives for others are granted special "medals" to prove their worth. Some who are don't even want them.
Keep writing, and write whatever moves you, whatever inspires you, not what someone tells you to write so you can prove you belong :-)
It is sad you've had all these difficult experiences, hugs. I do appreciate your candor. Obviously there's lots of grist for the writing mill. My difficult and joyful experiences found their way into a graphical memoir published by Impspired. I'd be glad to send you a pdf. I think both Ben and Shelby have read it if you want a recommendation.
Shannan, thank you for this. I am glad to know more about you and your life, not because of a prying curiosity, but because every person is part of an unwritten book, and if I hear of an intriguing character, I always want to read the book.
Don't be too sure that no one is waiting to hear from you. Perhaps I'm an anomaly here, but I have carried out a long-distance relationship through letters eagerly awaited and answered with a trembling hand. But then, I'm a bit displaced in time, being essentially a 19th century person in the 21st. Still, the point remains: people do wait on your words. (No pressure though! we wait in happy anticipation, not impatient anxiety.)
And congratulations on moving back to a sane country.
Please write what you want, what you feel, and fuck the formats and the critics. Those of us who have been through what you shared, we get it, and whatever creativity that comes to life is a gift.
More power to you Shannan, love this refreshing boldness (don't know why truth should be bold though, it should be average, simple, normal).
Shannan, I'm so pleased to know you've found refuge in Canada. There are other ways to "MFA" your way in life that are far less toxic than what you've experienced, and I am confident you will find them / they will find you when the time is right. I commend you for making the changes you did in order to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and (hopefully) happy, and for your bravery in posting this morning's message. I agree with Debra N - our art and our work do impart truth and beauty to this world. Please keep it up, if that is your path. I do hope you get the peace you deserve, and can engage in whatever feeds your soul. (BTW, your San Fran address is still at the end of your message.) Becca
Shannan, this is a refreshing read, truly. I met you and your husband last Saturday during the workshop, Write Poems that get Published. I just was astonished how similar our life experiences are from reading your post, abuse and suicide attempts. My debut chapbook 'Ink' is actually just coming out this month by Kelsay Books, and it speaks about the violence, abuse and trauma of my childhood and young adulthood. And I have a powerful essay on 3 suicide attempts that just came out in an anthology Speak Up Against Stigma, Volume 3. I have often struggled with whether I should or should not enroll in an MFA Program. I am 69 years old and wasn't sure at this point if I should spend the time and money. And, living in this world of Trump now on the second go around, I have stopped reading the news when he was elected the second time. I feel powerless to stop the madness. But I believe our art and our work do impart truth and beauty to this world. I have enjoyed Beautiful Losers and Only Poems very much, and I thank you both for devoting your time and lives to helping poets like me and to the craft of poetry itself. Well done, Shannan! I am excited to see the doors and windows that will open for you because of your bravery to live your truth!
I love how many fucking times you said fuck! Great post! I can imagine the relief you feel being free of the U S. and that ridiculous MFA program. May your peace continue to grow large. ✌️
The smile that grew across my face as I read this 🧡 (Which is probably a creepy image...eh, oh well) Thank you for protecting that little girl on the steps all these years. I'm looking forward to reading your poetry and novel when you're ready to share them 🧡
Bravo, Shannan. You are a beautiful winner.
Love every word of this.
You’ve captured so many issues with MFA programs, and I really don’t know what the next evolution of MFA programs will look like, but they desperately need to change, and I have glimmers of hope that you are involved in that evolution.
Such a relief boost to read the real.
"I think a classroom ought to be a space where experiment is encouraged as much as if not more than experience." YES! And lots of other stuff you wrote.
Congratulations on dumping your MFA. They are not necessary for most of us, and they are only badges worn like medals earned during wars. They mean something to whomever earned them, but they are not required to write and create--any more than all soldiers who risk their lives for others are granted special "medals" to prove their worth. Some who are don't even want them.
Keep writing, and write whatever moves you, whatever inspires you, not what someone tells you to write so you can prove you belong :-)
It is sad you've had all these difficult experiences, hugs. I do appreciate your candor. Obviously there's lots of grist for the writing mill. My difficult and joyful experiences found their way into a graphical memoir published by Impspired. I'd be glad to send you a pdf. I think both Ben and Shelby have read it if you want a recommendation.
Shannan, thank you for this. I am glad to know more about you and your life, not because of a prying curiosity, but because every person is part of an unwritten book, and if I hear of an intriguing character, I always want to read the book.
Don't be too sure that no one is waiting to hear from you. Perhaps I'm an anomaly here, but I have carried out a long-distance relationship through letters eagerly awaited and answered with a trembling hand. But then, I'm a bit displaced in time, being essentially a 19th century person in the 21st. Still, the point remains: people do wait on your words. (No pressure though! we wait in happy anticipation, not impatient anxiety.)
And congratulations on moving back to a sane country.
Please write what you want, what you feel, and fuck the formats and the critics. Those of us who have been through what you shared, we get it, and whatever creativity that comes to life is a gift.
Shannon, thank you for sharing. Insight into a life I have not lived. You are a beautiful loser--emphasis on beautiful soul. Take heart.
Fucking inspiring post from a fucking inspiring person 💙
Double fuck Trump whose real name is Drumpf.