This one seemed like more of a challenge, but it looked like a lot of you managed to set some good, concrete goals. The main theme of this post was that while it’s good to have amorphous big goals, you need to break them down into concrete goals to make them more manageable.
Monday: What’s Your Holy Grail?
It’s fun to dream big and in this post we talked about finding that dream that propels us and motivates us to take all those concrete steps we talked about on Sunday. iggi’s holy grail is to take over the world and mine… well, aside from taking over the world with iggi, I’d also like to write a picture book.
Tuesday: Why Writers Need Community
Writers need community to keep things in perspective and to have like-minded companions who can celebrate or commiserate with them. It sounds like lots of people agree that community is super-important in the writing life. There was also a suggestion to set up a DIY MFA community (thanks Sonia!) and I’d love to hear what you all think of this idea. Would you be interested in participating in a DIY MFA community?
Wednesday: Welcome to iggi U!
Check here for details on how to register for iggi U and other information. This post also covers the four facets of DIY MFA: reading, writing, critique and community and suggests a way to find a balance between them.
Thursday: Stealing Time
Many writers sooner or later will run into a situation where they need to steal time. Whether it be between familial responsibilities or corners of time tucked around the workday, writers need to learn to write “on the go” or in the nooks and crannies between things. Even writers who are lucky enough not to need to steal time, should practice it now and again. Because you never know when life will sneak up on you.
So tell me, how did this week go for you?
Oooh, also: I’ve decided to make a series of iggi “stickers” that you all can put on your blogs if you like. To find the iggi stickers go here: iggi Stickers.
Call me Gabi (pronounced gah-BEE). I'm a writer, freelance teacher, and a lover of books and words. I'm also the instigator of DIY MFA. iggi's my sidekick, but he thinks he's the brains behind this operation.
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Comments on this post
Hi Gabi, How do I sign up? Do I follow the blog posts? I know I'm a week late, but better late than never 😉
Janice
3. September - 7:17 pmHi Janice! Welcome aboard. Check out iggi U (either by clicking the tab at the top or by clicking the big orange DIY MFA button in the sidebar.) You can register in the post titled "iggi U registration Fun!" to be part of the contest.
And just a note to anyone else who still wants to join: you can jump in even once classes have started. Just register and catch up by reading the posts you missed (they're all listed in the iggi U page).
The more the merrier!
3. September - 7:24 pmThanks Gabi – it would have helped if I'd read the post before commenting. I'm going to post this on twitter now. Such a geneorus and amazing idea.
3. September - 7:26 pmNo worries, Janice! I'm glad you're joining in.
3. September - 8:05 pmOMG! Thank you, thank you, thank you for the iggi Stickers! I lurve them!
I also found Merit Badger thanks to Merrilee Faber tonight. Merit Badges for writers and readers there is something here that every writer can claim!
3. September - 9:33 pmThanks for the reminder on Twitter. Question: Are you posting on Monday–the holiday?
4. September - 12:43 amI am posting every day for the month of September (which is exciting but also slightly terrifying!) But if you can't check in on the holiday weekend, no worries! Just check the iggi U tab for any posts you might have missed.
Have a great holiday weekend everyone!
4. September - 1:04 amOops. Forgot to answer this question…
Would you be interested in participating in a DIY MFA community?
Why yes, I would. 🙂 The #diymfa tag is great for keeping up with what other participants are doing and posting to their blogs. For the length of September comments on the blog posts here at iggi U and fellow participants might be enough but I could see a forum type community could be very useful post-September when we begin to put our DIY MFA plans into pratice.
4. September - 10:06 amI'm still supportive of a DIY MFA community as well! : )
7. September - 11:31 pm