It’s official. I’ve been accepted to my first writer’s residency in the spring. I sent a selection of poems from my manuscript to the director along with the application and imagined myself arriving there a few months from now with a bag of books, my cozies, my laptop, and “the binder”. I heard the sound of the ferry as it pulled away leaving me and the other nine writers from all around the world engulfed in a late morning sun drenched anticipatory fog… Then the daydream would be rudely interrupted by the sound of “Mom, Marcel just gave me a wedgie!” No matter what happens, I would think at those moments the possibility of a week away in my own room, with just my writing and the sound of the waves crashing outside my window was a delicious gift.
To that end I also have to admit the sending of the work out into the world, to be deemed worthy or not, was a test of my work, and a test of my readiness to be seen. Would I make it into the “maybe next time” the “to be invited” or the “to be fed to the gerbil’s cage” pile? (Now isn’t that an image for a short story? Lines of poetry all over the gerbil’s cage?) So when I read the line; I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your poems from “Black Enough” and am looking forward to meeting you and to talking with you more about your work I felt my skin expanding.
My work is ready.
So, am I?
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Are you interested? I came across this post this morning by Tracy Marchini on looking for a writer’s residency while searching residencies as a topic. It looks super useful, and I hope to return to it to learn more.
Have you? Have you been to a retreat or residency? What was your experience like? Would you recommend it? How did you prepare?
CONGRATS!!!! Can’t wait to hear about it via your posts as you start this wonderful journey!
Congrats! You are such an inspiration. I have a friend who goes away to a place called The Porches in Northern VA every few months to just write (not a residency but you get the point!) and the thought makes my heart pound. How delicious would that be… but at the same time, I am so scared of leaving the boys. Again, you are an inspiration – you have two crazy monsters too – I def have to look into it!
So proud of you and excited for you!
Thanks Mama! Truly. Me too.
This is wonderful news! I know I am one of many who can’t wait to see what amazing work comes out of this.
You’re dear to say. I hope I bring back many goodies from afar to share. I trust I will.
Wow, congrats! Can’t wait to hear how it goes. Sounds amazing xx
It is feeling more exciting every day. I’m really inspired to get PREPARED and use the time as well as I can. How to not put crazy pressure on myself will be the challenge I sense..
So proud of you.
Love the image of Sammy yelling about the wedgie. Made me giggle.
That’s fantastic news. I never doubted your talent for a minute. Glad the world will get to hear more from you now as well
Thanks Mama.
Congratulations! I look forward to hearing about your experience.