During this weekend I have been working on the finishing touches of a book review, packing my house, and trying to market myself as a poet. Packing is refreshing in a way, the book review is fun, and marketing…well I do that everyday at work for others and it seems to be harder to do it for myself.
We have three weeks left until the big move to the village of Warren, NH. I am thrilled to be de-junking the house. It is a creative exercise to think about where the stuff will fit in the new house, and how I might redecorate. And of course, the house warming BBQ will be delightful! Just getting there is similar to deconstructionism. Nothing is in the right place, and chaos is my living space. I am hoping this will shake down some of the poems I have had rattling around.
The book review has been a welcome joy. It is a structured form of writing with a deadline, and after being in school for seven years, and then suddenly being a free agent, it is familiar and comforting. Plus it has been exciting to be one of the first people to read “An Urgent Request” by Sarah Luczaj.
As for the marketing…I have a fan page on facebook that has been a wonderful tool, six journals have accepted my poems over the past year, I will be reading in Massachusetts in September, and I am teaching a creative writing class at D Acres. So, I asked myself, “What next?” Well, obviously keep writing and publishing. Readings? More teaching? I have put applications out there for adjunct positions, and am trying to get a journal going, as well as looking to start a reading series for local authors as soon as I can find a venue.
My question to those of you who read this is…what next? Any ideas? Send me an email or comment on this post and let me know what you think !
You’re doing all the right things, Ivy. If you start a journal and start teaching, you will soon find yourself quite busy. Congratulations on the review and your wonderful poetry. See you in September in Northampton!
Dear Ivy (gosh sounds almost like dear Abby!)
Are you trying to start a discussion or asking us what should your next professional move be???? :o)
You are already out there, maybe not in the right area, but you are doing as much as can be expected (and more) from a young MFA graduate!!! And by out there you know I don’t mean crazy, but you have accomplished a lot. Now, what about just taking a Zen pause, quiet all the voices and listen to what your inner voice tells you!
I might not be the best CV writer, but I know about stepping back, and listening :o)
Love you
First, I would say “breathe” enjoy what you are doing right now. You have done all of the prep work and now you get to reap the benefits. Keep doing what you have been doing, the universe will take care of the rest.