BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Creativity What's your unfulfilled creative passion?

I have always wanted an MFA in creative non-fiction. The only thing that holds me back is the cost. I will be paying for my MA for another 14 years, so spending more money on a degree that has nothing to do with my career just doesn't make sense.

But I dream about it!

A high school friend just went back to grad school for painting. I think it would be fantastic to have that outlet! I would also love to try painting but have no idea where to start.

Closer to my life goals, I want to publish a novel. I have written three books and many articles, but for some reason I don't think I will be a "real writer" until I get a novel published!!

Kim Kenney
MNK Editor
Museums Editor

Would your novel be the non-fiction and if so, what are you thinking you would like to write about? What's your MA going to be in? Could you do a duo MA/MFA or does that get too expensive? I think as far as writing goes, since you obviously are an accomplished writer - having written 3 books - you just need to find the time to write that novel, not another degree. But that's just my humble opinion. Thanks for that great post, Kim. This question has sure sparked some interesting input.

I want to first write a fiction of romantic love. I have had the story in my mind for years and it is coming out, forcing it's way into life - so I have to pay attention to that "unfulfilled passion" before anything. Then I want to write a non-fiction book on Native American ways and culture.

It sounds like your romantic novel is about to spill over onto the laptop or paper now, Phyllis. I attended a writing workshop a few weekends ago and people there asked me how I divide up my time writing Bella articles then flipping into a different gear and writing in journals and working on personal stuff, like book chapters. The answer for me, is that when a creative flow hits me and I have a few moments to myself, I just grab the computer or paper and pen and start writing. The ideas may be incomplete, but I tuck them away and come back to them when the creative flow hits again and I have a chunk of time again. If writing a romantic novel is your passion, then you "will" make it happen some how, some way over time. Best of luck to you.

I already earned my MA back in 1999 in history museum studies (just still PAYING FOR IT now! Ha!). I am a museum curator today. And a writer "on the side." I wrote all three of my non-fiction books on nights and weekends. For all three, I submitted a proposal that was accepted, so then I had a deadline to work towards. Novels are different. I have to write it FIRST, and then find a publisher. So I have no real deadline other than one I impose on myself, but I find that it doesn't carry much weight that way!

The MFA I looked into was more to develop another kind of writing for myself -- I would love to do more freelance work, particularly with magazines, not only because I love it but because it would help me supplement the notoriously low museum salary! I hate reading my work in groups, etc, and I had hoped that the MFA could help me get over that, as well as allow me to work one on one with accomplished writers that could help me polish my own style.

My novel is fiction -- I have already written a few chapters. I know I have a great idea, I just have trouble finding the time to work on it. I have several hobbies, and with working full time, they all compete for my (limited) time!

I have also wanted to write a memoir, but wondered who the heck would care about my life. With the recent success of authors like Jen Lancaster, I know that it is the STORY that counts, not necessarily WHO it is about. So that is a project simmering on the back burner too.

I love to write, but find myself so tired at the end of the day, easier hobbies usually take precedence -- reading magazines, cross stitching, things that help my mind relax, not things that make it work harder! I crave a true "writer's life" but that is just not possible for me. I have to work, and so my time isn't my own 40+ hours a week.

I know I need to get serious about this, and stop TALKING about it and just DO IT. I'm just unsure how to get myself motivated, and more importantly, KEEP myself motivated.

Any suggestions from this group would be greatly appreciated!!

Kim

Married No Kids Editor
Museums Editor

Wow Kim, I'm blown away by all your accomplishments! You must be very proud of yourself for all your achievements. You certainly are a go getter. You're an inspiration. You should post this on the Inspiration site as well. I thought about how you could keep yourself motivated in writing. I attended a writing workshop a couple of weekends ago by author Gail B. Balden. She inspired the group to both write in class and to continue to write outside of class.

We had 8 people in the class and we made such a strong connection that we formed a 'writing circle' outside of the class in order to motivate each other to continue to write on our own person stuff. We are suppose to have our first meeting mid July. We plan to meet bimonthly in town and then at various people's homes. So my suggestion is to get involved in writing seminars and to perhaps find other (in your case) professional writers to which you could form a writing circle and meet to critique and/or motivate each other to stay on track with your writing process. Just a suggestion.

I had an excellent idea for a book (would also of been an excellent movie) but I let years pass by before I tried writing it and I cannot find a way to start writing it.