It's Official.
The official announcement has gone out, so I thought I'd share my news with you: I've resigned from Pine Manor College's low-residency MFA program, where I've taught since 2006.
It's a lovely program, and I've enjoyed working with the wonderful, hand-picked adult students and with the stellar faculty. Co-teaching, first with Mike Steinberg (who founded Fourth Genre) and then with Randall Kenan, will remain a permanent highlight of my teaching career, and I've had the honor of working one-on-one with some truly extraordinary apprentice writers--warm, talented people I'll never forget.
But it was time to go.
My position at UNL is full-time (and sometimes much more than full-time, like this week, when we're reading 90+ applicant files for a position in Ethnic Studies). The weekends and evenings when I should have been writing were often slated for Pine Manor students' manuscripts.
While burning the candle at both ends used to be my MO, I'm 42 now, and skimping on sleep takes its toll. Perhaps just as importantly, I no longer feel comfortable skimping on my own work, putting it off to some indefinite future moment. I want every hour.
Even in an economic downturn, when I'm grateful to have work, working two jobs came to seem less and less tenable. Three years of doing so was just right.
I'll miss my friends, and leaving behind the pleasures of Pine Manor--especially those late-night, front-porch conversations, fortified by Laure-Anne-tinis and literary chisme (like summer camp for writing faculty)--brings its regrets, for sure, but stepping off into a new free space is invigorating. Wish me well!
And if you've ever, ever even once, dreamed of devoting more time to your writing and getting some serious, intensive instruction, I recommend Pine Manor without reservation. It's an excellent, solid, rigorous program, the faculty is just terrific . . . and the campus is soooo pretty.
It's a lovely program, and I've enjoyed working with the wonderful, hand-picked adult students and with the stellar faculty. Co-teaching, first with Mike Steinberg (who founded Fourth Genre) and then with Randall Kenan, will remain a permanent highlight of my teaching career, and I've had the honor of working one-on-one with some truly extraordinary apprentice writers--warm, talented people I'll never forget.
But it was time to go.
My position at UNL is full-time (and sometimes much more than full-time, like this week, when we're reading 90+ applicant files for a position in Ethnic Studies). The weekends and evenings when I should have been writing were often slated for Pine Manor students' manuscripts.
While burning the candle at both ends used to be my MO, I'm 42 now, and skimping on sleep takes its toll. Perhaps just as importantly, I no longer feel comfortable skimping on my own work, putting it off to some indefinite future moment. I want every hour.
Even in an economic downturn, when I'm grateful to have work, working two jobs came to seem less and less tenable. Three years of doing so was just right.
I'll miss my friends, and leaving behind the pleasures of Pine Manor--especially those late-night, front-porch conversations, fortified by Laure-Anne-tinis and literary chisme (like summer camp for writing faculty)--brings its regrets, for sure, but stepping off into a new free space is invigorating. Wish me well!
And if you've ever, ever even once, dreamed of devoting more time to your writing and getting some serious, intensive instruction, I recommend Pine Manor without reservation. It's an excellent, solid, rigorous program, the faculty is just terrific . . . and the campus is soooo pretty.
Faye said:
First, I apologize for taking up the comment space on your blog so often...I just want you to know that there are ears and eyes out here reading and enjoying your blog -- I am sure there are many more than mine.
In this case, as a student at Pine Manor, I wanted to thank you on behalf of myself and I'm sure many others, for everything you contributed to the program during your tenure there. I am graduating at the end of this semester myself -- leaving at the same time as you in the end. I know there were many students there who were looking forward to working with you in the future, but what they can look forward to instead is reading the work you'll now have time to write and publish. I do believe, for whatever my thoughts are worth, that this IS important. You deserve it! Just this week I heard from a student who is starting the program and who was inspired by many things in your book.
So congratulations on this decision. Enjoy the new time and space in your life -- we'll miss you.
November 9, 2009 8:57 PMfayepoet said:
Joy,as one of your first mentorees at Pine Manor,I'm grateful for the full year we worked together and for the years after, in which I participated in your workshops and learned from your deeply mined classes. I shall miss your warm presence in the residencies to come.
November 16, 2009 1:44 AMHowever, I'm not surprised as I've kept in touch through your blog and wondered, sometimes in print, how you managed it all. I'm glad for your rich writing life and for the promise of more time now that you've freed up time and space.
When I decided to write, a close friend of mine asked,"What are you going to give up?" I had, over many years, simply kept adding and adapting.I admire your grit and determination to set limits to fashion your own creative life.
I look forward to the fruits of your efforts and I will miss your presence.
Kerry said:
I have such mixed emotions at this news! We have been SO BLESSED at Pine Manor to have you in our midst. I don't think I'll ever forget my first residency with you. Oh, how you worked us hard every hot summer day...and I loved it. You are a woman of immense talent. Yet the world should know that you are a woman of incredible insight and grace. And I suppose it is that insight that helped you to make the decision to leave. Good for you! We've learned about writing from you, one of the best writers out there. Perhaps we can learn the importance of letting go when the time is right. You have been a gift to Pine Manor. I can only hope that we see your absence as a gift you gave to Joy.
November 16, 2009 3:09 AMAs long as you write this blog, count me as one of your fans! May blessings continue to wrap around you and those you love.
Warmest Wishes,
Kerry
karimagrant said:
So late to the game... Getting that creative thesis together. Ahh, Joy! Although we have never formerly worked together, your presence has impacted me tremendously! What else can we wish you but the best. Your grace and good will, incisive thinking make the world a better place for all of us, writers and non writers a lot. God Bless and many, many pages.
November 21, 2009 5:48 PM