Sunday, October 25, 2009

Preparing for the Future!

When I begin my first class of the spring semester at The City College of New York I will officially be at the half-way mark of my MFA experience. The time has really flown by!

While it's always a great thing that you are enjoying life in the "present," at some point it all must end. Those of my classmates who are near the end of their MFA experience are scrambling to find something to do once they receive their degrees. Others are unsure of what they will do next. This is one of the downfalls of being in the arts. Regardless of whether you are a writer, painter, sculptor, musician or whatever - you have to always think ahead, because before you know it, change will commence and you'll be left completely unprepared. Start NOW thinking about where you want to go with your MFA (or whatever degree you are pursuing). If there are things in place as the transition begins, you could seamlessly move from one area to the next and hit the ground running. The last thing anyone wants is to be stuck in neutral while those around you are moving forward.

Right now I'm making plans on life "Post-MFA." I've been lucky with City College. It's a vibrant community with great writers and instructors. There is a deep sense of community here, and there's also a true concern among the students for the "what next?" I'm attending a series of panel discussions titled "Life After the MFA," where writers, teachers and industry professionals are speaking to us about possible career choices to consider. The last one I attended had a former City College alumnus doing a reading and discussion, along with talking about the life of teaching creative writing students balanced with pursuing his own literary interests. Great discussion! If your school offers these kinds of events I highly suggest you attend them. They can be very helpful.

As far as myself, I've come to an understanding of what I want from this MFA experience that I'm privileged to be a part of. First - I want to continue to find my voice and develop beyond my main genre of interest, meaning in addition to writing mystery novels and short stories, I'd like to segue into literary fiction, script writing for plays and film. Second - I want to make long-lasting contacts with other writers and perhaps work on joint projects after my MFA days are over. Third, I want to write and publish, hopefully on a full-time basis. Not all of us are able to do that. Sometimes we might have to work for a while until our work gets noticed. Having the MFA will allow me to teach at any university or work at a magazine or newspaper as an editor.

Perhaps the most exciting venture that I'm up to is I'm in the process of starting my own small literary press! This is exciting and I'm busy collecting data for the press. I've found ways of doing it that are both affordable and professional. Very soon I will announce on my website what I'm up to once I've completed my research. If this works out, not only will I be an accomplished author, but a businessman as well. More on that later!

I'm so enjoying being in school. The City College of New York is a vibrant community. The campus is beautiful, the program is one of the best in the country. It sits high on a hill next to St. Nicholas Park in Harlem - home of the Renaissance. So much history and tradition at CCNY, but at some point it all must end. And when it does, I promise I will be ready!

"Cuckoo's" Ghost! by David T. Boyd

Read this and see if you can tell me who it's about!

Peace,
Dave
---------------------------

“Cuckoo’s” Ghost!
By David T. Boyd

Once upon a stormy night,
At home alone I shook with fright!
A nightmare plagued my weary head,
Whilst’ I had turned throughout my bed!
This Hallow’s Eve, my family gone,
To Fifty-Fifth and Avalon!
Grim thoughts abound that made me cringe,
The Cuckoo-Man might take revenge!

He knew the art of pay-to-play,
The haters called him “disengaged!”
Yet it is he, with haughty laugh,
Who’ll burn them all within his wrath!
The howling wind blew forth my door,
And spindly shadows crossed the floor!
All that’s sane has neared the fringe,
As Cuckoo-Man takes his revenge!

I shan’t forget the breaking news,
His home chock full of TV crews!
Hearts dropped deeper than a well,
Our lives are now a living hell!
And he smiled wide, his hair intact,
Said “told you all I smelled a rat!”
Yet it was clear through eyes that singe,
This Cuckoo-Man would have revenge!

I rose from bed, I could not sleep,
Despite warm milk and counting sheep!
Lightning flashed and thunder clapped,
A subtle chill crawled down my back!
To you, I say this much is clear,
‘tis not the darkness that I fear!
For what creates the slightest tinge,
Is Cuckoo-Man bent on revenge!

Monsters of the Midway ran,
‘Hyde’ went Jekyll near ’The Dan’!
Shockwaves bolted through the Loop,
‘Canary-ville’ had flown its coop!
Yes, he’s BACK, and might I add,
Chi-town’s gone stark raving mad!
All mankind shall soon unhinge,
If Cuckoo-Man enacts revenge!

Hark! I heard a sound nearby,
A ghostly thing flew ‘cross my eye!
I had sensed it coming close,
Time to leave before I’m toast!
Sickly fingers grabbed my hand,
“I’m no crook!” it said again!
Its grip was tight, it caused a twinge,
And so began Cuckoo’s revenge!

“Cuckoo! Cuckoo!” the Ghost just clucked,
And since I’m not a sitting duck!
I dashed in haste toward the yard,
But Cuckoo’s Ghost, it was not far!
I made a beeline down the block,
But I forgot my Ford was locked!
It was his name he must avenge,
The Cuckoo-Man wants his revenge!

It snatched me high up by my leg,
“LET ME GO!” I cried and begged!
I looked into its piercing eyes,
And knew I was about to die!
Without a word it took its due,
It made me wear the Cubby-Blue!
Lights out folks, this was the end,
The Cuckoo-Man had his revenge!

“NOT THE CUBS!” I shrieked and screamed,
Waking from this nasty dream!
The morning sun replaced the gray,
And I had lived to see the day!
But I shall wait for June the Third,
For that’s when Cuckoo’s voice is heard!
Will we be free or will we binge?
Will Cuckoo-Man… commence revenge?

Thursday, October 8, 2009

My Big Fat MFA Life!

As my profile says - I am a Creative Writing student at The City College of New York. This is my second year, and already I've had the opportunity to take classes and study works from the Victorian and Modernist eras. I've had my own writing critiqued, praised and ransacked. I've had so little rest from the nagging desire to write "just one more page," and have met fellow sleep-deprived students from all walks of life who suffer from the same neurotic tendencies as I do. I want to get better, and thankfully I desired to push myself to the limit by seeking such torture that is the MFA.

While I think everyone who aspires to write should seek an MFA, I'm also smart enough to know that it's not for everyone. There are those of us who feed off of their own energy so much they can sit in front of a computer and crank out a best seller in no time flat. In my case, I wanted the complete package. I wanted the ability to write, listen to others read their work and develop a kinship with like-minded people who all strive to discover their inner-voice and let it shine brightly in front of them for the world to see. Just in the year I've been at City College, I've seen my abilities take me to places in my own mind that I never realized possible. Every day I feel myself getting stronger, my technique crisper. I believe in what I'm doing, because for the first time in my life, I have found something to be passionate about - something worth fighting and sacrificing for! The written word is the source of my greatest love and pain. It challenges me to supersede my personal shortcomings and take that next brave step forward into glory. The structure of my MFA makes it possible for me to want, to desire, to toil, to give my all to my craft. I know success will not fall into my lap, but I'm also smart enough to know that with hard work comes the fruits of labor. One day it will all come to me. I have no doubt.

Getting an MFA is a huge sacrifice. Days when you'd rather sleep or watch TV or go hang out are practically non-existent. You forget the ball game more than you'd care to; you find days where you'll pick your head up and see a million R's on your computer screen because you passed out on your keyboard. Believe me, I've done it all. But I will tell you this - there's nothing like seeing the finished product of something you've worked on for months, if not years. It's even better when someone you don't know tells you how much they appreciated your work - after all, it's a part of you that you've bravely shown to the world. And you know what? It doesn't get any better than that!

That is what I call "my big fat MFA life!" You are welcome to it however you see fit!

Much love,
Dave