I feel like I've got a community of fellow artists and poets and lovers of literature and poetry and the arts who are supportive, encouraging, inspiring. But I still haven't found mentoring. I don't have courage to ask other people to read and critique and give advice. That requires a certain kind of vulnerability and at the same time a thick skin. And a lack of crippling social anxiety. It feels like such an imposition to ask someone for advice or critique. Yet I feel that's the kind of community that I'm most lacking and craving. But at the same time I don't have the time, energy, the margin to take classes, join writers groups, network, do conferences. I'm struggling just to stay afloat and to find the tiniest margins and scraps of time to create. I've never really had a craving to do an MFA; but it seems to me the greatest advantage of that kind of program is the mentorship and community support. I don't know how one does that outside of MFA circles.
I hear what you’re saying. I do not mind giving advice if it’s asked of me and I try to be gentle. My monthly CLA poetry groups were my breakthrough. It isn’t an MFA but it is a compassionate but very honest poetry critique circle. It’s probably the best situation. I mean, there’s a priest in that group. It’s not going to be vicious at all. But I know it’s hard with the social anxiety. If you ever wanted help with learning scansion I’ll trade my skills in exchange for you explaining the mystique around Eliot.
I love your warm and encouraging voice, Zina. And wisdom in your advice. And, I feel a kindred spirit with you—as I feel I came late to my own vocation as a creative writer. If I read your post correctly, we are nearly the same age. And, I just signed today my acceptance letter to attend Queens University in Charlotte, NC’s MFA program in fiction. Yay!! My first residency session is this upcoming January.
I’m a little late to the conversation (typical) on resources. Here are a few more your readers may be interested in:
Thank you so much, Shari! I think Rhea is the connection between us. I just subscribed to your podcast. These resources are great. I appreciate you sharing them. There is so much out there where artists and those who love art can come together and communicate the good, true and beautiful.
And congratulations on getting into Queens University! Please let me know how everything goes. I love talking to people in other programs and comparing notes.
I'm so glad you will be joining us. If you make it out to the Fall Conference at the deNicola Center let me know. We can discuss this at the poetry group discussion as well. There will be a lot of Christian poets at the conference bot presenting and attending.
I will be there! Arriving on Wednesday night actually. I have all of Thursday morning open as well since the conference doesn’t start till the afternoon. You can send me DMs via Substack or X.
So many opportunities! You are an inspiration. My problem is picking one or two. I do have to say conferences are a great avenue. At last year's 2023 Frost Farm Conference I met the former poetry editor of the Journal of Christian Nursing and I now have 3 poems published in their current issue!
Diane! That is amazing. Congratulations on your upcoming publications! Please let me know when they are out. I would love to share links or whatever else you may have with the people who read my humble projects.
Excellent advice, Zina. In the long transition to writing from a corporate job as an editor, I missed colleagues with an ache that cut deep. Substack has been my virtual water cooler.
Beautiful essay Zina. My heart resonates with everything you have written here. I feel as though I have started to discover my community through the people here. Thanks for sharing yourself and your journey with us. I am glad to be a part of it.
Thank you so much for reading, Seth. It was so nice meeting you and the other MFA students at the CIC in Dallas. If I hadn’t talked to the bunch of you that evening I may not have joined the program! I definitely would NOT have had a Substack. This was created basically to fund my MFA, and it’s just kinda taken off.
BTW keep doing your poetry recitation videos! Do you have links collected anywhere? My friend Tara Penry will probably love them.
I definitely agree with everything you said. When I started writing a couple years ago, I started by writing out an idea and editing it myself. Then I found some online classes, but I was disappointed at the lack of feedback that I was getting from classmates. I joined The Habit, an online writing community with Jonathan Rogers. He teaches classes, gives writing prompts, and there are forums for people engaged in all sorts of writing. Some people write letters and work in ministry. Some are published authors with lots of books to their names. Some are self published. Everyone has been so supportive. I went to my first writing conference this Spring, which was a great experience. It helped me get past (well, mostly past) my imposter syndrome and let me view myself as a writer. Habit members encouraged me to start a Substack. Community is such a blessing.
I really enjoyed this piece. I don’t really think of myself as an artist unless podcasting counts. However, in the depth of my soul maybe I aspire to be one. I love art, all kinds. Thank you for sharing this piece and allowing me to sit and ponder this idea.
Podcasting is so hard! My husband and I had one a long time ago. One of the greatest things, back in 2008, was the Catholic/Sci-Fi podcasting community. It really was special. I think the landscape for podcasting now looks very different, with bigger names and businesses in the mix. Production values are much higher now, making it hard to keep up. But I’m glad you have a show. (Put a link in the comments!)
Recording the podcast has been an amazing adventure. The best part is that I get to go on this journey with a dear friend. The podcast is The Reader and The Writer. We read classic and contemporary literature and discuss it. It has been such a blessing. I love finding God in the most unexpected places.
I have the distinct pleasure of spending time each week with Zina in our online classes for the MFA at St. Thomas, Houston. I’d always thought that it seemed like Zina knows everybody — and this piece proves that my hunch was right.
To the theme of her essay, my father often said, “Show me your friends, and I’ll tell you who you are.”
Thanks, Zina, for putting this all in such good order.
And thank you for being such a good friend! I still am one of the least published poets in our program, but I am learning from my more talented peers like you.
I feel like I've got a community of fellow artists and poets and lovers of literature and poetry and the arts who are supportive, encouraging, inspiring. But I still haven't found mentoring. I don't have courage to ask other people to read and critique and give advice. That requires a certain kind of vulnerability and at the same time a thick skin. And a lack of crippling social anxiety. It feels like such an imposition to ask someone for advice or critique. Yet I feel that's the kind of community that I'm most lacking and craving. But at the same time I don't have the time, energy, the margin to take classes, join writers groups, network, do conferences. I'm struggling just to stay afloat and to find the tiniest margins and scraps of time to create. I've never really had a craving to do an MFA; but it seems to me the greatest advantage of that kind of program is the mentorship and community support. I don't know how one does that outside of MFA circles.
I hear what you’re saying. I do not mind giving advice if it’s asked of me and I try to be gentle. My monthly CLA poetry groups were my breakthrough. It isn’t an MFA but it is a compassionate but very honest poetry critique circle. It’s probably the best situation. I mean, there’s a priest in that group. It’s not going to be vicious at all. But I know it’s hard with the social anxiety. If you ever wanted help with learning scansion I’ll trade my skills in exchange for you explaining the mystique around Eliot.
I love your warm and encouraging voice, Zina. And wisdom in your advice. And, I feel a kindred spirit with you—as I feel I came late to my own vocation as a creative writer. If I read your post correctly, we are nearly the same age. And, I just signed today my acceptance letter to attend Queens University in Charlotte, NC’s MFA program in fiction. Yay!! My first residency session is this upcoming January.
I’m a little late to the conversation (typical) on resources. Here are a few more your readers may be interested in:
Tinker Mountain Writers Workshop in Roanoke, VA (my hometown)—not faith-based, but incredibly warm hearted and generous group. Excellent teaching. https://www.hollins.edu/academics/continuing-education-camps/tinker-mountain-writing-workshops/
Scriptoria in Grand Rapids, MI (faith-based). Also generous with excellent teaching: https://www.scriptoriaworkshop.org/
Did you mention Rabbit Room Poetry here on Substack? They accept submissions. Also faith-based.
Thank you for all your excellent work on offering advice and resources, Zina!
Thank you so much, Shari! I think Rhea is the connection between us. I just subscribed to your podcast. These resources are great. I appreciate you sharing them. There is so much out there where artists and those who love art can come together and communicate the good, true and beautiful.
And congratulations on getting into Queens University! Please let me know how everything goes. I love talking to people in other programs and comparing notes.
Wishing you a blessed creative journey! - Zina
Thank you for mentioning the podcast and upcoming poetry group.
You are very welcome. I am looking forward to seeing how the group goes!
I'm so glad you will be joining us. If you make it out to the Fall Conference at the deNicola Center let me know. We can discuss this at the poetry group discussion as well. There will be a lot of Christian poets at the conference bot presenting and attending.
I will be there! Arriving on Wednesday night actually. I have all of Thursday morning open as well since the conference doesn’t start till the afternoon. You can send me DMs via Substack or X.
So many opportunities! You are an inspiration. My problem is picking one or two. I do have to say conferences are a great avenue. At last year's 2023 Frost Farm Conference I met the former poetry editor of the Journal of Christian Nursing and I now have 3 poems published in their current issue!
Diane! That is amazing. Congratulations on your upcoming publications! Please let me know when they are out. I would love to share links or whatever else you may have with the people who read my humble projects.
Excellent advice, Zina. In the long transition to writing from a corporate job as an editor, I missed colleagues with an ache that cut deep. Substack has been my virtual water cooler.
Thank you, Rona. I so admire your writing, and to hear that this resonated with you has totally made me week!
Lovely to know. I enjoy making readers happy—especially when the reader is a writer.
Beautiful essay Zina. My heart resonates with everything you have written here. I feel as though I have started to discover my community through the people here. Thanks for sharing yourself and your journey with us. I am glad to be a part of it.
You are one of my favorite reasons to be in Substack! Thank you for restacking my note and for all your support and feedback. It keeps me going. 😊
This was good to be reminded, Zina. Thanks!
Thank you so much for reading, Seth. It was so nice meeting you and the other MFA students at the CIC in Dallas. If I hadn’t talked to the bunch of you that evening I may not have joined the program! I definitely would NOT have had a Substack. This was created basically to fund my MFA, and it’s just kinda taken off.
BTW keep doing your poetry recitation videos! Do you have links collected anywhere? My friend Tara Penry will probably love them.
I definitely agree with everything you said. When I started writing a couple years ago, I started by writing out an idea and editing it myself. Then I found some online classes, but I was disappointed at the lack of feedback that I was getting from classmates. I joined The Habit, an online writing community with Jonathan Rogers. He teaches classes, gives writing prompts, and there are forums for people engaged in all sorts of writing. Some people write letters and work in ministry. Some are published authors with lots of books to their names. Some are self published. Everyone has been so supportive. I went to my first writing conference this Spring, which was a great experience. It helped me get past (well, mostly past) my imposter syndrome and let me view myself as a writer. Habit members encouraged me to start a Substack. Community is such a blessing.
I really enjoyed this piece. I don’t really think of myself as an artist unless podcasting counts. However, in the depth of my soul maybe I aspire to be one. I love art, all kinds. Thank you for sharing this piece and allowing me to sit and ponder this idea.
Podcasting is so hard! My husband and I had one a long time ago. One of the greatest things, back in 2008, was the Catholic/Sci-Fi podcasting community. It really was special. I think the landscape for podcasting now looks very different, with bigger names and businesses in the mix. Production values are much higher now, making it hard to keep up. But I’m glad you have a show. (Put a link in the comments!)
Here is our Substack page. We are on most podcast platforms.
https://open.substack.com/pub/thereaderandthewriter?r=36uobv&utm_medium=ios
I just subscribed!
Recording the podcast has been an amazing adventure. The best part is that I get to go on this journey with a dear friend. The podcast is The Reader and The Writer. We read classic and contemporary literature and discuss it. It has been such a blessing. I love finding God in the most unexpected places.
I have the distinct pleasure of spending time each week with Zina in our online classes for the MFA at St. Thomas, Houston. I’d always thought that it seemed like Zina knows everybody — and this piece proves that my hunch was right.
To the theme of her essay, my father often said, “Show me your friends, and I’ll tell you who you are.”
Thanks, Zina, for putting this all in such good order.
Chris
And thank you for being such a good friend! I still am one of the least published poets in our program, but I am learning from my more talented peers like you.
And I hope people realize that Chris Carstens is an excellent poet (his latest is tragically behind a paywall here: https://modernagejournal.com/accept-all-terms-and-conditions/243857/).
Hey, Zina, don’t let it get around but an image of that poem is pinned to my profile on X @ChrisCarst10863.
I will keep the comment here and people will hopefully find it. It’s an awesome poem!
An excellent essay, Zina. Lots of great advice. Thank you.
Thank you!🙏