Category Archives: Solstice MFA Pine Manor College

Now I’m 56. Wait. What?

Posted on May 20, 2018 by

Slowly I disintegrate. The final years of middle age are upon me; old age is on-deck. I imagine a batter in a Yankees uniform (why Yankees?), wearing a saggy pinstripe uniform. Popping out of the top of the uniform is an old gray haired head. It takes ten minutes to make it to the plate, but “old” arrived in an instant. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Humor, Middle Age, Solstice MFA Pine Manor College, Uncategorized, Writing Humor | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Broken things

Posted on December 13, 2014 by

The mirror in my upstairs bathroom medicine chest almost fell on my head. The mirror is separated into thirds, with each third opening when you push it, screws holding the turning mechanisms together, and  magnets holding the doors closed when … Continue reading →

Posted in Creative Nonfiction, Creative writing, Essays, falling in love, lesbianism, Memoirs, MFA Programs, publishing, Reading, Solstice MFA Pine Manor College, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I want to make a comeback

Posted on August 9, 2014 by

When I started The Early Draft in 2010, the point was to free myself to write whatever I wanted. It was an exercise in not worrying that the writing was perfect or publication-ready. I wanted to blog because I don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Book publishing, Book Reviews, Creative Nonfiction, Creative writing, Essays, Memoirs, MFA Programs, publishing, Solstice MFA Pine Manor College, The Writer's Life, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Is the MFA Worth It?: Guest blog by Message from a Blue Jay Author Faye Rapoport DesPres!

Posted on May 15, 2014 by

Message from a Blue Jay was written one chapter at a time, starting in the early days at Solstice when I started practicing the personal essay form. Slowly, over the two-year period of my studies, I began building a body of work I could be proud of. Still, the essay collection that became my final Creative Thesis was not the end of the road – not by far. Continue reading →

Posted in Book publishing, Creative Nonfiction, Creative writing, Essays, Memoirs, MFA Programs, publishing, Reading, Solstice MFA Pine Manor College, The Writer's Life, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Baton Blog Hopping: Hey, it’s Cindy’s turn.

Posted on April 14, 2014 by

Any author who has developed a distinct voice makes his or her work different. Once you have found a voice as a writer, no one else sounds like you. Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Creative Nonfiction, Essays, LGBTQ Movement, Solstice MFA Pine Manor College, The Writer's Life, Uncategorized, Writing, Writing Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Writers Helping Writers!

Posted on October 27, 2013 by

Help fund a writer! I really said this: The Solstice MFA program provided me with a life-changing experience. I didn’t just earn an MFA, I found a new family, new friends, a new life, and a renewed sense of myself … Continue reading →

Posted in Solstice MFA Pine Manor College, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Renewal and Re-invention of…yourself

Posted on January 6, 2013 by

I am learning about ways to renew and reinvent myself. Although I can’t go into details, several years ago, it was imperative that I reinvent myself at work – and I did. I now have a great job and work … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Caring for parents, Cats, Mothers, Parents, Solstice MFA Pine Manor College, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments