Hi Anne, I highly recommend Harvard Extension School for a Masters Degree in Creative Writing and English Literature. It's flexible, reasonably priced for a higher degree, and you get access to one of the best libraries in the world. I graduated from the program in 2022, and had many classmates zooming in from Europe. Best of luck!!
Hi Anne, I enjoyed reading your letter and felt many synergies. I did a big mid-life swerve and went back to college at 50 to retrain as a therapist. I'm also a writer and, like you, currently nomadic. Scotland has my heart too. I went to university in Edinburgh and when I'm ready, my home will be in the East Neuk of Fife, almost directly opposite beautiful Gullane (which I too love as I've house-sat there several times). I wish you all the best with your writing - could you possibly apply to the Open University? They may have flexible starts.
Congratulations on "landing" on where you want to be! I'm sorry it's coming to fruition in a roundabout way with yet with another year of traveling, but I have a feeling you will put the upcoming year to good use. I love reading your posts. You have had such an amazing journey and have shared generously. Thank you!
I am in no position to give advice. As an aspiring novelist who has just finished her first work of fiction and is ready to shop it around - sans an advanced writing degree - I used writing it as a learning experience. I didn't want another degree. So along the way I took classes, read craft books, went to conferences, worked with other writers, enlisted the support of professional editors, and listened to a gazillion podcasts. Personalized, just-in-time learning, you might say. It was the long route. But the instruction didn't really click until I had a work in progress to use as my laboratory.
If you can, try to draft your novel before you start on your MFA and edit it while you are taking your courses. I suspect you are already planning on doing this. Learning about the craft of writing is so much more impactful when if you have already drafted a book, even if it isn't as polished as you'd like. It's like a residency instead of your first course in kinesiology, so to speak. And it's more fun. Again, you have been a college professor for years. You already know this.
Itās great to see you that you are continuing your MA work in your newsletter! So many people get MAs in English and then never use them. Nurturing a love of literature enriches your life and shouldnāt be confined to getting a degree.
Hi Anne! I'm a new subscriber and am enjoying reading back through your newsletter :) Just to say I returned to study for an MA in English Studies in 2020 in an effort to kick-start my writing again. Although it wasn't a creative writing course, it did give me so much more confidence in my research and writing skills, how to use literary texts and research well, etc. It led to me finding my 'specialisms' in literary criticism and how to better structure a literary argument or essay, which in turn led me to set up my own newsletter here. It gave me more confidence and self-belief in my work.
Looking forward to your upcoming piece on Cornwall, which is such a beautiful place :)
I was in my mid-30s when I went back to finish the last year of my BA. Psychologically, it was a huge adjustment. I hadnāt been in college for over a decade. I expect it will be much easier for you, with your experience in academia. Wishing you all the best.
This is so exciting, Anne! I am thinking about leaving academia and changing careers, and so Iām following your journey with particular interest. Thank you for sharing the details of the visa process -- I was wondering how that would work! Canāt wait for the next installment š
Hi Anne! As I read, I kept thinking, "oooh, yasss, she's moving to Scotland!" but oh, then the heartbreak of the rejected visa! I've been looking at visas for the UK, as well, and it is NOT easy.
Like you, I fell in love with England - specifically Derbyshire, a little town near Chatsworth House called Bakewell. I want to live there. My soul wants me to live there. But actually making it a reality? SO HARD.
You asked about going back to school later in life...I did this three years ago when I decided to pursue my PhD in history. For two years, I thoroughly enjoyed taking classes, writing papers, having wonderful discussions...I was in my late 40s and it didn't matter. I loved it all. Unfortunately, working a full-time job, going to graduate school, trying to write a novel, PLUS having chronic illnesses made it unsustainable. With my limited energy, I needed to focus on my true passion: writing fiction. And it was the right decision. So I withdrew from the PhD program and finished writing my eighth novel in record time. All that is to say...going back to school later in life is AMAZING. You're more grounded, focused, and able to do the work without the distractions that young college kids have (partying, ALL THE ACTIVITIES, trying to grow up!, etc.). I think you've made the right decision to get into the UK this way, as a student! I'm so excited for you!
On another note, having just returned from the UK and being so utterly exhausted on the flights home that I wanted to cry, boy, do I understand about being sick and tired of always boarding a train or going to a new hotel room, trying to find food, etc. All I wanted was to sit in a cozy cottage by the fire, write, read, and sleep in the same bed for a month. And that's what I'm planning to do next year, if I can swing it - just go to the UK for a month or two in the summer to get away from the terrible heat of Nebraska.
I wish you nothing but the best in your continuing adventures!
Anne, as I started to read I was ready to shout - how about Scotland! My homeland - completely understand why you love the place though I live in France! I wish you well as you set out on your new student life. A good scotā s saying: ā whatā s for ye wonā t go by yeā .
I finished my bachelor's degree 17 years after I started it. And once I finished it, I kept going through an MA and then a PhD--I got my PhD right after turning 39. While I wish I had made some better choices in my 20s, there's quite a bit about being an adult student that I am grateful for.
I love the vision that you articulated for how you want your life to be--I've been trying to do that this year, in response to coming to the brink of some serious burnout.
I've taken some fiction-writing classes online during the pandemic, which I found really enjoyable. As much as I love reading fiction, I've enjoyed the new experience of basically reading a story that I was making up myself. And in general, I think that the more that I learn about and practice all writing, the stronger all of my writing is.
I'm looking forward to following your new adventure!
Congratulations on making these big decisions! And I didnāt make the connection that it was you who wrote that wonderful book about Little Women--your book was so interesting. Does U of Edinburgh have a graduate fiction writing program?
Thanks for sharing your journey and congratulations for being so resilient and resourceful. Many connections. Finding "home" is a challenge ... I finally found a imperfectly perfect place and said "this is it" and put my stake in the ground.
Dear Anne, apparently we are on the same journey. Last year I quitted my job (I am a Lawyer and Bioethicist) and moved to Europe searching for a place called home. I was born in Rosario, a beautiful city in Argentina, but my family moved to Buenos Aires when I was sixteen. For some reason I could never called Buenos Aires "home". I have been living in Paris for almost a year now, and like you, I realized that I am not prepared to learn a whole new Language. Also, like you, I am done with hot climate and love the sea. Paris was the first choice because my daughter in studying here, but I am thinking where to go next. You are not alone in this adventure.
I love Scotland too. I'm not sure why but since I began reading about it, I've loved learning and reading and now I've been there on short trips about 5 times. I will enjoy reading about your time in Scotland. Going to school will make you belong somewhere.
Love this letter, Anne!!! Have you read Nell Painterās Old in Art School? One of my favorite memoirs on creativity and sustaining it. But you are young, my friend! ā¤ļø
Hi Anne, I highly recommend Harvard Extension School for a Masters Degree in Creative Writing and English Literature. It's flexible, reasonably priced for a higher degree, and you get access to one of the best libraries in the world. I graduated from the program in 2022, and had many classmates zooming in from Europe. Best of luck!!
Hi Anne, I enjoyed reading your letter and felt many synergies. I did a big mid-life swerve and went back to college at 50 to retrain as a therapist. I'm also a writer and, like you, currently nomadic. Scotland has my heart too. I went to university in Edinburgh and when I'm ready, my home will be in the East Neuk of Fife, almost directly opposite beautiful Gullane (which I too love as I've house-sat there several times). I wish you all the best with your writing - could you possibly apply to the Open University? They may have flexible starts.
Congratulations on "landing" on where you want to be! I'm sorry it's coming to fruition in a roundabout way with yet with another year of traveling, but I have a feeling you will put the upcoming year to good use. I love reading your posts. You have had such an amazing journey and have shared generously. Thank you!
I am in no position to give advice. As an aspiring novelist who has just finished her first work of fiction and is ready to shop it around - sans an advanced writing degree - I used writing it as a learning experience. I didn't want another degree. So along the way I took classes, read craft books, went to conferences, worked with other writers, enlisted the support of professional editors, and listened to a gazillion podcasts. Personalized, just-in-time learning, you might say. It was the long route. But the instruction didn't really click until I had a work in progress to use as my laboratory.
If you can, try to draft your novel before you start on your MFA and edit it while you are taking your courses. I suspect you are already planning on doing this. Learning about the craft of writing is so much more impactful when if you have already drafted a book, even if it isn't as polished as you'd like. It's like a residency instead of your first course in kinesiology, so to speak. And it's more fun. Again, you have been a college professor for years. You already know this.
As always, good luck!
Itās great to see you that you are continuing your MA work in your newsletter! So many people get MAs in English and then never use them. Nurturing a love of literature enriches your life and shouldnāt be confined to getting a degree.
Hi Anne! I'm a new subscriber and am enjoying reading back through your newsletter :) Just to say I returned to study for an MA in English Studies in 2020 in an effort to kick-start my writing again. Although it wasn't a creative writing course, it did give me so much more confidence in my research and writing skills, how to use literary texts and research well, etc. It led to me finding my 'specialisms' in literary criticism and how to better structure a literary argument or essay, which in turn led me to set up my own newsletter here. It gave me more confidence and self-belief in my work.
Looking forward to your upcoming piece on Cornwall, which is such a beautiful place :)
I was in my mid-30s when I went back to finish the last year of my BA. Psychologically, it was a huge adjustment. I hadnāt been in college for over a decade. I expect it will be much easier for you, with your experience in academia. Wishing you all the best.
This is so exciting, Anne! I am thinking about leaving academia and changing careers, and so Iām following your journey with particular interest. Thank you for sharing the details of the visa process -- I was wondering how that would work! Canāt wait for the next installment š
Hi Anne! As I read, I kept thinking, "oooh, yasss, she's moving to Scotland!" but oh, then the heartbreak of the rejected visa! I've been looking at visas for the UK, as well, and it is NOT easy.
Like you, I fell in love with England - specifically Derbyshire, a little town near Chatsworth House called Bakewell. I want to live there. My soul wants me to live there. But actually making it a reality? SO HARD.
You asked about going back to school later in life...I did this three years ago when I decided to pursue my PhD in history. For two years, I thoroughly enjoyed taking classes, writing papers, having wonderful discussions...I was in my late 40s and it didn't matter. I loved it all. Unfortunately, working a full-time job, going to graduate school, trying to write a novel, PLUS having chronic illnesses made it unsustainable. With my limited energy, I needed to focus on my true passion: writing fiction. And it was the right decision. So I withdrew from the PhD program and finished writing my eighth novel in record time. All that is to say...going back to school later in life is AMAZING. You're more grounded, focused, and able to do the work without the distractions that young college kids have (partying, ALL THE ACTIVITIES, trying to grow up!, etc.). I think you've made the right decision to get into the UK this way, as a student! I'm so excited for you!
On another note, having just returned from the UK and being so utterly exhausted on the flights home that I wanted to cry, boy, do I understand about being sick and tired of always boarding a train or going to a new hotel room, trying to find food, etc. All I wanted was to sit in a cozy cottage by the fire, write, read, and sleep in the same bed for a month. And that's what I'm planning to do next year, if I can swing it - just go to the UK for a month or two in the summer to get away from the terrible heat of Nebraska.
I wish you nothing but the best in your continuing adventures!
Anne, as I started to read I was ready to shout - how about Scotland! My homeland - completely understand why you love the place though I live in France! I wish you well as you set out on your new student life. A good scotā s saying: ā whatā s for ye wonā t go by yeā .
Alex
I finished my bachelor's degree 17 years after I started it. And once I finished it, I kept going through an MA and then a PhD--I got my PhD right after turning 39. While I wish I had made some better choices in my 20s, there's quite a bit about being an adult student that I am grateful for.
I love the vision that you articulated for how you want your life to be--I've been trying to do that this year, in response to coming to the brink of some serious burnout.
I've taken some fiction-writing classes online during the pandemic, which I found really enjoyable. As much as I love reading fiction, I've enjoyed the new experience of basically reading a story that I was making up myself. And in general, I think that the more that I learn about and practice all writing, the stronger all of my writing is.
I'm looking forward to following your new adventure!
Congratulations on making these big decisions! And I didnāt make the connection that it was you who wrote that wonderful book about Little Women--your book was so interesting. Does U of Edinburgh have a graduate fiction writing program?
Thanks for sharing your journey and congratulations for being so resilient and resourceful. Many connections. Finding "home" is a challenge ... I finally found a imperfectly perfect place and said "this is it" and put my stake in the ground.
Scotland is wonderful, and I admire your persistence!
Dear Anne, apparently we are on the same journey. Last year I quitted my job (I am a Lawyer and Bioethicist) and moved to Europe searching for a place called home. I was born in Rosario, a beautiful city in Argentina, but my family moved to Buenos Aires when I was sixteen. For some reason I could never called Buenos Aires "home". I have been living in Paris for almost a year now, and like you, I realized that I am not prepared to learn a whole new Language. Also, like you, I am done with hot climate and love the sea. Paris was the first choice because my daughter in studying here, but I am thinking where to go next. You are not alone in this adventure.
I love Scotland too. I'm not sure why but since I began reading about it, I've loved learning and reading and now I've been there on short trips about 5 times. I will enjoy reading about your time in Scotland. Going to school will make you belong somewhere.
Love this letter, Anne!!! Have you read Nell Painterās Old in Art School? One of my favorite memoirs on creativity and sustaining it. But you are young, my friend! ā¤ļø