Friday, March 10, 2006

Journal Research (still...)

Time Spent: 2 hours

Yes, more journal research today. That wasn't the interesting part though.

In my research, I got to this journal: Image: Art, Faith, Mystery, a Christian faith based journal. While I was looking around, I found a link to Seattle Pacific University's MFA in Creative Writing program.

The whole reason for doing an AST, as I understand it, is exploring a career before one actually gets into said career. As someone who isn't going to graduate at the innocent age of twenty-two without any serious job experience, I think this is a fantastic idea. I wish I'd been able to do that with a few of the jobs I've had in the past - I would have known to run screaming from the building and not turn back at the end of the experience. The AST allows one to work in a real setting, not just a plce where one is a "college intern." The student is expected to do real work and learn the job.

So what does this have to with me? For all intents and purposes, I'm an author right now. I'm doing the things authors do - writing, submitting, researching, and learning. Sometimes part of the learning is going further in school, which is what I'd eventually (sooner rather than later) like to do. I'd LOVE to do a MFA in creative writing. See this link to SPU actually made me cry - this is almost the whole of what I'd like to do. I've been torn, the past year or so, about what to do in regards to a Master's degree. I've always felt called to go to seminary, but I'd really love to get that MFA. SPU, as a Christian university, has this philosophy for their CW MFA program: "The low-residency MFA at SPU is a creative writing program for apprentice writers—both Christians and those of other traditions—who not only want to pursue excellence in the craft of writing but also place their work within the larger context of the Judeo-Christian tradition of faith." This is what I want to do!!! And I got so excited, I cried. The low residency program is a plus as well - instead of being on campus all the time, I could do this while still living and working in IL, and would only have to go to Seattle twice a year for the seminars. Sounds perfect. Anyone want to help me convince my husband that I should do it now instead of in two or three years?

So this has been the learning portion of the AST for today. Part of a job is continuing education and it's no different for writers.

2 comments:

lfspansyliz said...

Thank you Thank you. A God thing for sure. i ran across your blog via youth minstry deal. i have looked up the SPU MFA looks wonderful.

i was wondering what AST stands for. i went back and looked since you started and could not find it written out and explained.

i also love comments on my blog as well. So i am really dropping by to ask about AST, but leaving a comment did not hurt either.

steph said...

Hey, thanks for the comment!

AST is Applied Study Term and is an internship program through school which gives students a chance to "test drive" a career before they get into it, or work at a social service organization. So it really is a valuable learning tool as well.

Thanks for your interest - and yes, SPU is definitely a God thing. :)