Distant Song

It's been almost a year since my last posting. I have not written much original work since then. When I sat down to write, nothing came out. As I said before, I had no voice, so I didn't know what to say. 

I did, however, get accepted to a graduate school program.  I'm attending Wilkes University's Master of Arts in Creative Writing.  It is a low-residency program, which means that I will be attending classes on the campus twice a year and the rest of the work will be from home.  My first residency was last week.  It was many times better than I thought it would be. 

 I met so many accomplished writers who are members of the faculty that I lost count.  Many of them had been published many times over and are doing what I aspire to do one day - make a living with words.  They were very approachable and willing to discuss writing and their work at any moment.  They talked with the students about their writing techniques.  Some things, like a penchant for writing longhand, were things I do and enjoy already. Other things, like the need for daily exercise, were things I knew that I should add to my routine and process.  None of it was unobtainable.  They made me feel that I had a chance to be a good writer one day.  They enjoyed my work and encouraged me to keep on my chosen path.  

I also met a great bunch of new friends in the other students who were in the cohort. (Currently nicknamed "The Band of Misfits")  They were all great writers with vastly different personalities, funny as all hell, and supportive of each other.  When I stood to read and started by saying bad things about my work or myself, they admonished me to let the work speak for itself and not to "poison the well!"  They, too, encouraged me to just be myself and write what I enjoy.  But they also let me know that I'm not going through this alone.  They will be my friends and partners and support structure as I will be to them and we all move towards writing success.

I left the residency aching to write.  Unfortunately, I've been told to hold off until the assignments come in from school and focus on school work. :(  This is  good advice, I know.  But now, for the first time in a long while, I'm hearing a distant voice.  What exactly it sings is a little to indistinct to hear.  It's too soft and too far away.  But I hear it.  The voice is mine and it sings the future of my work and talent. I can't wait to hear that song up close.  That's when I will produce again.  I'm moving towards the voice on this journey of mine to writing success.  And I'm hearing more and more every day.