Where did you get your MFA?
This question came from neuroticdad. I went through Emerson's Writing, Literature, and Publishing program. At the time, it was ranked 7th (or maybe 10th?) but I have no idea what it is now. I'm not a very involved alum. 10-second brag: When I graduated, Rick Reiken reviewed my thesis (a collection of short fiction) and told me--with the exception of one weak piece--it was publishable as is. Huge compliment. And yet, I never did anything with it. I regret that a little. Pamela Painter taught one of the best, most useful workshops I've ever attended. I wish I'd kept my notebooks from that class . . . you know, instead of all the high school notebooks I have in a box somewhere. (Like I'm really going to need to learn about mitosis again. I mean, that's what Adelaide's future homework is for, right?) Boston was the best. I lived in a sixth-floor walk up on Commonwealth. (Well, it had an elevator. It just wasn't a reliable elevator, so I avoided it.) I had a pleasant roommate who was almost never home, walked an hour back and forth to the grocery store every day, did Tae Bo (remember Tae Bo?!), wrote, and was a regular at all the gay clubs. That might be the perfect 20-something life. It was a little lonely--grad school is not the amazing friendship ground that college is since everyone is older and has their own stuff going on--but I really do look back fondly at that time in my life. I'd move back in a heartbeat. I miss having nothing to do but write and explore. Thanks for the question, neuroticdad!
