"This is not ours, it never was, life is a gift to be given back, art is a gift to be given back, joy is a gift to be given back" and "One’s work is one’s duty is one’s life force is of utmost importance" thank you for these reminders among all the others <3
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
Thank you Rebecca, and yes I really do feel there are other ways to MFA (like the idea of using MFA as a verb). The san fran address must be Substack's. I was a bit more south
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!
Debra, thank you for this message! can't say I'm happy our life experiences are similar haha, but I'm glad we've crossed paths and that too through the vehicle of poetry. Much love and light and wonder
Welcome to Canada! We've got our problems, but Trump... is at least a slightly more distant one.
When I was starting to think about starting a newsletter because it seemed less soul-draining than being on social media, "post regularly" was the most consistent advice I found. Once every two weeks was, allegedly, the bare minimum you could get away with while still expecting your subscribers to care.
So I tried for once a month, and failed.
Meanwhile I subscribed to a bunch of newsletters, and the ones that post regularly are the ones I'm the least likely to read. I guess because there's no sense of scarcity? But if someone sends me something sporadically every few months, you can bet I'm opening every one.
We are so inundated with content and updates that communication can feel more like clutter. And it's true that most of us aren't anticipating each other's letters anymore. But sometimes I receive one and smile anyways. Small proofs of humanity can make it through the noise.
Yes Canada certainly's got issues but the country has cradled me when I was a very high-risk teen so I am grateful and relieved to be back, hopefully will be able to give back in some way too.
I really like what you say here that hearing from folks once in a blue moon can actually work the other way around in that it can be a positive thing as oppose dto negative. Thank you for sharing that perspective, I resonate with that immensely
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.
Thank you Kristina! I don't know how I could personally be involved, but through the poetry and prose mags I co-run with my husband, we try to put some good into the indie lit bucket at least
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. ✌️
There is always something wonderful and wild about change. Canada welcomes you home. I do hope the work on Beautiful Losers continues...an MFA doesn't give one the openings to write; the universe does. And, it is a beautiful universe. You and your work is proof of that. And, yes fuck Trump, and yes, Canada will come with its own problems but not that one, and yes, fucking go my friend.
Thank you so much Fran, for some reason just the way you phrased it "Canada welcomes you home" made me envision Canada has a very large benevolent being rising to embrace me. Thank you so much
obligatory praise, never letting it known how much your fellow MFAers writing sucks, is so so relatable. That's what most morern CanLit also is. Staying silent on someone's bad writing isn't enough, you have to actively write glowing reviews of their terrible books just to be part of the in circle, and just to be invited for writing retreats, get awards etc
hahaha, yeah I think I might have let it slip tho, part of why they probably disliked me. Leonard Cohen had a lot of loving but sharp words for CanLit even back then. Wonder what he'd say now
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 🧡
I'm indeed smiling more and more finally sitting down to read and engage with the comments. Thank you so much Linea, and no it's not at all creepy that image tho did make me laugh
More power to you Shannan, love this refreshing boldness (don't know why truth should be bold though, it should be average, simple, normal).
Thank you Aditi, you always leave supportive comments on things I post here. it goes a long way.
"This is not ours, it never was, life is a gift to be given back, art is a gift to be given back, joy is a gift to be given back" and "One’s work is one’s duty is one’s life force is of utmost importance" thank you for these reminders among all the others <3
thank you dearly Erin, very glad that resonated as much as it did
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
Thank you Rebecca, and yes I really do feel there are other ways to MFA (like the idea of using MFA as a verb). The san fran address must be Substack's. I was a bit more south
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!
Debra, thank you for this message! can't say I'm happy our life experiences are similar haha, but I'm glad we've crossed paths and that too through the vehicle of poetry. Much love and light and wonder
Welcome to Canada! We've got our problems, but Trump... is at least a slightly more distant one.
When I was starting to think about starting a newsletter because it seemed less soul-draining than being on social media, "post regularly" was the most consistent advice I found. Once every two weeks was, allegedly, the bare minimum you could get away with while still expecting your subscribers to care.
So I tried for once a month, and failed.
Meanwhile I subscribed to a bunch of newsletters, and the ones that post regularly are the ones I'm the least likely to read. I guess because there's no sense of scarcity? But if someone sends me something sporadically every few months, you can bet I'm opening every one.
We are so inundated with content and updates that communication can feel more like clutter. And it's true that most of us aren't anticipating each other's letters anymore. But sometimes I receive one and smile anyways. Small proofs of humanity can make it through the noise.
Yes Canada certainly's got issues but the country has cradled me when I was a very high-risk teen so I am grateful and relieved to be back, hopefully will be able to give back in some way too.
I really like what you say here that hearing from folks once in a blue moon can actually work the other way around in that it can be a positive thing as oppose dto negative. Thank you for sharing that perspective, I resonate with that immensely
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.
Thank you Kristina! I don't know how I could personally be involved, but through the poetry and prose mags I co-run with my husband, we try to put some good into the indie lit bucket at least
Fucking inspiring post from a fucking inspiring person 💙
love you Shel!
Double fuck Trump whose real name is Drumpf.
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. ✌️
hahaha I wasn't counting, but glad you liked it... sometimes the soul just wants to scream FUCK lol. Thank you Cynthia
Wow! This is the best thing I’ve read all week! And I commend you!!! You’re awesome!!! Much love to you! ❤️💪🏽💯
Aww thank you Miguel!! So happy to have filled your week with the best writing lolol. Thank you dearly
There is always something wonderful and wild about change. Canada welcomes you home. I do hope the work on Beautiful Losers continues...an MFA doesn't give one the openings to write; the universe does. And, it is a beautiful universe. You and your work is proof of that. And, yes fuck Trump, and yes, Canada will come with its own problems but not that one, and yes, fucking go my friend.
Thank you so much Fran, for some reason just the way you phrased it "Canada welcomes you home" made me envision Canada has a very large benevolent being rising to embrace me. Thank you so much
I quit mine too many moons ago (ok 1999) and just started reviewing books for newspapers and mags. THAT was my MFA.
Yayyy fellow quitters are the best. And indeed our own curriculums can often make for better MFAs
obligatory praise, never letting it known how much your fellow MFAers writing sucks, is so so relatable. That's what most morern CanLit also is. Staying silent on someone's bad writing isn't enough, you have to actively write glowing reviews of their terrible books just to be part of the in circle, and just to be invited for writing retreats, get awards etc
hahaha, yeah I think I might have let it slip tho, part of why they probably disliked me. Leonard Cohen had a lot of loving but sharp words for CanLit even back then. Wonder what he'd say now
This is all so gorgeous you are so gorgeous!!!!!
Thank you Elise, so much love and light to you. Us poet moms gotta stick together
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 🧡
I'm indeed smiling more and more finally sitting down to read and engage with the comments. Thank you so much Linea, and no it's not at all creepy that image tho did make me laugh
Bravo, Shannan. You are a beautiful winner.
Aww, thank you William!