An Update on Portfolio Work and Life

I'm closing in on the first day of school next week, which will ultimately bring me back to 40 hour weeks to its benefit (yay money) and to the detriment of my writing output. High time to give myself a self-awareness check.

This summer wasn't quite as a fruitful in prose. I do have a few 3 page stories, though a couple of them are pretty rough. I do have an 8 page story, about an elderly man driven to extremes at a country buffet, that I think has a great deal of potential. I still have the ten page story that is 'country noir' that I want to complete by next Thursday. I also want to make another piece of flash fiction. We'll see how this goes. Lately I've been playing with elements of the grotesque, as per my Flannery O'Connor and South Park influence. I am starting to find something a thematic groove, as my sense of place in Northeast Georgia and Southern Appalachia has become something of an enabler, lending me some wonderful characters. I do think my character work has gotten better. Hopefully if I can get a couple of stories in before Thursday I can at least revise some material that I've got. I still think my "Teeth" story has some potential, so I do think it'll help in the long run to have that piece. I also still have the 'Hostage' piece, about the kids who take their classmate hostage. There's some problems in the late acts that I need to revise. 

I have realized, though, I need to get back to writing some scripts, which will happen soon. I have also realized that poetry is more enjoyable for me to write, and consequently my output has more weight. Much like my prose this Summer, my poetry has been something of an exploration of my region and place and I've received some positive feedback from friends on certain poems. I certainly feel that "Alabama Coastal Plain" has some potential in being published, as does "Thunderstorms."  I do feel like it would be worth my while to place the emphasis of my portfolio on my poetry. 

Besides publication, my poetry and prose are going to be hopefully important soon in my attempts to graduate school.

I had hoped to explore the option of getting a teacher position while not certified, but unfortunately the position I was most qualified for, and for the school I have experience and contacts with, did not come to me. I did not get interviewed. I have not been interviewed for any teaching job. So graduate school will have to be a priority. 

I intend to continue substitute teaching because it is the best thing for me, but I am looking at grad programs now. I hate this, because the MAT just seems incredibly expensive and incredibly risky given the job market for teachers. I do hope that another year (and hopefully more) of sub teaching will contribute to me having some room for work due to my experience. I know this; if I'm going into a MAT program I want look into expanding my contacts. That means somewhere outside Gainesville and Habersham; no Brenau and no Piedmont. North Georgia and Georgia State are my top two. Georgia State has the best vibe to me; the person I emailed was wonderful, their instruction is based on developing constructivist curriculum, and they are near Decatur, which I wouldn't mind living at. Plus it is in an urban setting, which is something that might be able to get me jobs in Chicago or Seattle if that comes up. North Georgia has the benefit of a really quick program, low costs, and proximity to both the rural mountains and to really high paying teaching jobs in Forsyth County and, in a good drive, to North Fulton. They also give certification in the first year and they have a post grad program, but I'm not sure if I'll do that; there is no Government funding for that program, which means out of pocket and private loans. 

I am, however, determined to explore the option of fully funded graduate programs, though. This means MFA programs, like NC State, Oregon State, and Oregon, as well as PhD programs like the PhD in CW at University of Illinois in Chicago. UGA also has a PhD program, but I think I'd like to look at getting out. 

I am quite optimistic. That may change.