New Year's in Naples

Sitting at the window, watching the cold turn to warm in the noonday sun, I am doing what I think everyone else is doing at the end of December, which is, pondering the new year ahead.

In about a week, I will click into the Manuscript Phase of my MFA program.  No more residencies, lectures or classes, and no more deadlines every four weeks.  Instead, I will pursue the independent writing/study phase of the program with the mentor of my own choosing, who graciously agreed to hang in there with me to the bitter end, which may be one year from now, or even two.

To finish my MFA, I need at least one hundred fifty pages of publishable material.  To date, I have one hundred pages of non-publishable, rough material, first and second drafts galore.  There is much to do, so obviously, it's time for me to write, write, write in all earnestness.  No messing around, every day, no excuses.  And I don't mean write on my blog.  I mean, write my manuscript.  It's time to shut down “Sneak Peeks.”

I want to thank friends and family, who have read my blog over their morning coffee, or who have read my blog during their lunch break, or who have read my blog just to tell me they did, and to encourage me.  I've had a blast learning not only more about writing, but also about computers, html and web pages.  And the more I've learned, the more I've known how much more I need to learn.  But that's always the way it is, isn't it?

Thank you and have a Happy New Year!

 

 

From Louise

 

 

Comments

[Oggie]

I have the feeling that Sneak Peeks has been on the way out since September. The silence of the internet wires connecting it to cyberspace and back has been deafening :) Congratulations for many jobs well done and for recognizing that now is the right time to move on to bigger and better things. Good luck with the next chapters of your life. And now, with celebratory fanfare appropriate for the occasion, I will push the button to delete Sneak Peeks from my bookmarks bar, but look forward to seeing you and K.C. in January :-)

[Louise]

Poppy, you have been an absolute peach about absolutely everything. Thank you so much for your friendship and support over 2010. Look forward to seeing much more of you in 2011!