tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23771210.post6950073464362880054..comments2023-07-11T08:27:49.027-04:00Comments on Hannah R. Goodman: Denial, Truth, Writing, and Listening to My 5 year old.Hannah R. Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01844839035830038677noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23771210.post-58078180692999345562009-09-13T13:46:33.560-04:002009-09-13T13:46:33.560-04:00I agree with Joanne. Even though I haven't rea...I agree with Joanne. Even though I haven't read your books because they are YA, I have heard you read your pieces in class. You also are the best writing instructor I have had. And a great content editor. You are really talented. It is just hard to take all that rejection from the big name publishers. I am grateful that computers have now made it affordable to publish without their suffocating grasp. I had a really successful weekend and know that my book is salable despite what those in the industry say. I am selling books. So are you. <br />It also isn't unusual as you stretch yourself your writing gets sucky but when you graduate you may discover you really did improve your craft and it was worth the effort.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16362527662792042143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23771210.post-28130854265510588652009-09-13T12:33:46.792-04:002009-09-13T12:33:46.792-04:00Let's first get a couple of things straight. Y...Let's first get a couple of things straight. You are a real writer. You do take your writing seriously. You are also a real teacher who encourages others to write and take it seriously. When I started your classes I never would have submitted anything if not for making submissions having been assigned by you.<br /><br />I believe that, because you are serious about writing and teaching, you envisioned an MFA as a way to professionalize all of the above, a credential that demonstrates your commitment to both writing and teaching, and as dues having been paid.<br /><br />Additionally, I suspect you are also committed to learning and are not one of those people who think there is nothing left for them to learn from anyone else.<br /><br />You did wonder if, as a bonus, such a credential might also sway some in the publishing world. After all you have been subjected to at the hands of traditional publishing, who can blame you for wanting to test that theory?<br /><br />So do not derail yourself by losing sight of your primary reasons for wanting the MFA, and telling yourself that your motives are impure. The possibility of a book contract was not your deal maker/breaker but more of a: "Well, maybe an MFA will open a door or two and wouldn't that be nice if it did." And you know what? If some traditional publishing editors begin to take you seriously after you have those three initials after your name, then good for you. It won't be as if you hadn't paid your dues.Joanne Carnevalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14773494642346624996noreply@blogger.com