I got an email from this place in Minneapolis where I’ve taken a few writing classes in the past. They have a mentor series that basically anyone is free to apply to. I got an email about it a while ago and after reading the eligibility requirements decided it wouldn’t work for me. I emailed the coordinator last night to get clarification on whether I was eligible and she said I was.

I really want to apply. The problem is I’d need a 15-20 page writing submission and the application deadline is only a few days away. Days that will be filled with work and moving out of this apartment and town in China. I could apply to either the fiction or nonfiction portion of it, or both. If I tried doing both I’d have to write two 15-20 page submissions. I really want to apply, I just don’t know if I’ll be able to get something written. On the one hand, I have felt like writing lately and I feel like I not only have something to say, but that I’ve got something that is ready to come out. I know that regularly updating this has certainly helped.

I wrote for a little while tonight. Nothing spectacular or very much, but it was nice to actually write something with a goal in mind. I’ve decided to appeal to my higher power; if it’s meant to be -as in applying, my higher power will help me with the strength and the courage to make that happen. I don’t even want to think about what my odds of being chosen are. And really, being chosen isn’t quite the issue right now. It’s simply a matter of choosing to work for something I want. And I want this. I also want to produce something more than what I’ve been producing. I need to produce something more. I’m going to sleep on it and hopefully work some more in the morning or tomorrow evening to make it happen. Ideally I’d like to produce something that’s funny and emotionally honest. I want to be truthful about my past, but I don’t want to get bogged down in unhappiness or depressing thoughts. It needs to be a blend of humor and raw emotion.

The cool thing about the contest is that one of the mentor author is a woman who came on my radar a while ago. I still haven’t actually read a book she’s written, but the shorter article she wrote was really amazing and after reading it I decided I really want to learn how to do that. Ok, so I hope it all works out. At least there is progress and movement. That’s appreciated.