It is FInished

 I did it.... I finally finished my first semester of my MFA program.

21 books read, 12 craft analysis papers, 1 short story written and revised 5 times, 110 pages of my novel extensively revised, including over 5,000 words cuts and nearly half that amount added back in in new scenes.

It's been exhausting, crazy, amazing, unbelievable, and fun. I've grown in ways I never imagined and absolutely LOVED my faculty advisor (who is Craig Lesley, and if you are interested in some great and unique literary fiction, check out his books here).

I have a month off and then it's back to residency in Oregon, which I can't wait for! For the next week, though, I'm taking some time off. I've got some cleaning to catch up on of course, but mostly I have family to get to know again. I'm getting off the computer - off blogs, facebook, twitter, and email - voluntarily - and spending some good time with my family and my camera.

When I come back, hopefully I'll have stories to tell, and pictures to share. :)

See ya in a week!