Mythcon Part III: The End

I had a wonderful weekend here and met amazing people. Unlike the rest of fandom, the Mythopoeic Society sincerely wants to further the works of the Inklings and fantasy writers/critics everywhere, plus they put in the effort to actually do it. I can definitely identify with the heart and soul they put into all of their work. That's how I do everything in life and most certainly how I approach my career. I could tell from the speech, founder, Glen Goodknight gave last night just how much he loves this society and what it stands for. These people have touched my heart and I have made some very good contacts and new friends while here. This was a great step for my career I think and has really helped me focus on the future. Going into my last semester I'm ready to buckle down and steer myself toward what I want to be doing for the literary community. I am sure that I will stay involved with this society and I know that this opportunity was a blessing. It wasn't just a coincidence that I had written a paper that coincided with the theme, I was meant to come here to see and meet people who are already doing what I want to be doing. It was inspiring. I think I might have inspired a few people too! One fellow water myth scholar who gave a paper right before mine told my mom that she should be very proud of me. Which delights me to no end. I was terrified I would get here and not live up to my own or other people's expectations of myself and my research/analytical skills. But I think instead, I've been galavinized that this is what I'm supposed to be doing.

Philosophical ramble over. We're going to Santa Monica pier, Venice Beach and before that we're going to Craft, Tom Colicchio's restaurant, for lunch! Our plane leaves LAX at 6 and we should arrive back in Texas around 11. Too bad I have a Botany test tomorrow morning and will get no break! Such is the life of an academic. lol.

Future Prospects

I'm skipping applying for the Clarion workshops. I already decided this over the break. I don't want to write short stories (or at least not primarily, they might crop up over the course of my career) and that's what that workshop is geared toward. I know they say you can send a chapter for Clarion West but they seem to discourage it. Anyway but here are my future writing plans for this year:

1. Apply for the Gordone Award in the English Dept. I'm submitting two manuscripts. One creative nonfiction piece as of now still unwritten (lol) and I'm revamping Merlin for this specific purpose to enter in the fiction category.
2. Apply for Odyssey. It seems more novel friendly and is specifically geared toward fantasy writers. Also their 09 writer in residence writes books a lot like me. Maybe she'll be my friend. (Gosh I sound like a second grader.) I'm going to send Merlin or the first chapter of the Muse novel for my application. Most likely Merlin since it'll already be written. I want to work on the Muse novel while I'm there though and if I get accepted I'm going to send the first chapter as my second submission. (If you get accepted they want another short piece before you go to the workshop.)
3. Apply for Viable Paradise, even though I'll miss a week of school. Since I'm only gonna have to take 9 hours or so to finish I don't think it'll be too big of a deal. Really awesome writers are also going to be the instructor for this. I'm definitely sending the first few chapters of the Muse novel for this.

I think if I can at least work toward all of these things by next fall when I graduate I'll be well on my way to having a manuscript to send out and really be in my stride as a writer. Ready to move where ever, become a dog walker and/or receptionist to pay rent and start my life as a semi-respectable writer.
These are my immediate future plans. I felt like writing them down. I'm going to try and keep up with this blog more often. (I know I say that a lot.)