And Away We Go!

So this is what you've missed:

As I completed my thesis, I couldn't accept the fact that a group of students from UTPA was traveling to Italy without me. So, I added to my long list of stress factors the planning of a trip to Italy. I leave for London today and then move on to Italy on Sunday.

I'll be assisting with the English class, but I get to sit in the History and Art Classes. I'm super excited!

I am grateful for having graduated with my MFA, for the majority of my students passing TAKS, for the opportunity to publish my work, for the promise of opportunities in the future, for closing out the school year, and now for my trip.

Apart from traveling, I will be very busy working on my ABYDOS training, curriculum writing, book editing, and attending the AP Institute upon my return to the states.

No slowing down yet, eh.

Finishing up my thesis...

This is the week it all gets finished! I can feel it! That plus I HAVE to in order to give it to my committee to review in time. The following are important dates in relation to my thesis:
March 21st - 1st completed rough draft to committee and graduate office
March 28th - meet with graduate office about formatting
April 8th - deadline for online submission of rough draft
May 2nd - last day I can defend
May 10th - deadline for online submission of final
May 14th - graduation

I know it sounds complicated, but I keep repeating these dates in my mind so that I can make sure to do all I have to.

Not just because I'm an aspiring writer, but because it has become a part of who I am, I've developed the habit of writing everything down. I think more clearly this way.

Oh, and I have to formulate a plan for revisions as well. So far, I plan to use the ABYDOS ratiocination, and add imagery to setting in transitional parts of the plot. Also, I'd like to add more depth to my characters. Maybe some idiosyncrasies a la Winesburg, Ohio. We'll see.

I'm excited. I just need to stay focused.
Here's the plan for the next five days.
Today: Finish last four stories (eek! They're all started; I just need to buckle down and finish them.)
Friday-Sunday: Revise, Revise, Revise
Sunday night: go print out copy at UTPA computer lab

Another thing I can't forget is that I have to catch up on my ABYDOS readings! If I only sleep four hours a night for the rest of the week, I have about 80 hours worth of work I can do.

Oh and add to all that, my teacher work! Okay, I have a very busy 2 months ahead of me. I can do this! A little bit at a time is all it takes.

I'm back

This blog was originally for my trip to the U.K. this summer, but I'm considering documenting my last few months of working on my thesis. I'm cautious about this because I am very aware of how self-deprecating I can be, and I don't want an official account of my weaknesses as a professional out in cyberspace. However, as a writer I have to put aside social conventions and fear of not being accepted so that I don't censor my creative process. Despite this self-empowering attitude, I don't want to sabotage my livelihood-- I still wish to be employed. Hopefully I find a happy medium-- they always give nice, cheery palm readings.

The stories in my first collection are based mostly on real events. I find that keeping as close to the "real" story helps me in the initial stages of writing. I'm currently working on my "Gilberto" story. Gilberto's character is based on two men I know. One of these men has five daughters and this fact isn't important yet in the story, but I'm keeping it because it gives me a secure foundation. I don't feel as if I'm floundering for ideas for my story because I have a good basis in the real stories (many stories and situations I've witnessed are in one fictional story) and then I let my characters take me to their own version of events. I'm not at the revising stage yet for this story, so I may have a different perspective about the process I've chosen after I encounter rewrite challenges.