Category Archives: career

Why I stay to watch the credits

First, I’m lucky enough that Fernie Brae exists right here in my own Portland, OR. Second, thanks to a new friend connection, I was lucky enough to score a last-minute spot to an event that made my heart soar. Two nights ago, Fernie Brae hosted a Q&A panel with artists who worked on the incredibleContinue reading “Why I stay to watch the credits”

What it feels like to be writing again

Escaping the August heat by inching my way into the cold waters of the Quarry to float on an inner tube. Connecting with new and old friends in the water. Knowing I might get sunburned but not wanting to leave to reapply. Talking in British accents for no reason. The strawberry sencha is finally backContinue reading “What it feels like to be writing again”

Going Forward

At the PNWA conference this summer, I attended a presentation called “What to Expect When You’re Publishing.” I asked the presenter a question that’s been gnawing at me for years… How do you know? We’re told that you should only start querying agents when your novel is as good as it can possibly get. But we’reContinue reading “Going Forward”

Summer ILC Week, 10 and beyond: My last quarter at Evergreen

In 2010 I had lots of grownup firsts: moved out of my mom’s house, got my first full-time job, and fully supported myself. It felt good and necessary, and I’m glad I had the experience. I did data entry job for a company that sold carpets and window treatments. Not thrilling, but I’m great atContinue reading “Summer ILC Week, 10 and beyond: My last quarter at Evergreen”

Summer ILC, Week 7: The Skill of Receiving Feedback

I’ve gotten a lot of feedback this week. Learning how to give feedback that is stage-appropriate, respectful, and insightful is of course a really important skill to have when you’re working with fellow writers. But we don’t often talk about learning how to receive feedback, which is also a skill that must be learned andContinue reading “Summer ILC, Week 7: The Skill of Receiving Feedback”

Summer ILC, Week 1: What’s an ILC again? So many questions!

Two weeks ago I walked at graduation, but I have one more quarter left to go at Evergreen before I officially receive my BA! This last project is an 8-credit Individual Learning Contract (Evergreen-speak for doing whatever you want (with faculty support) and getting credit for it.) called A Novel Publication: Learning to Navigate the World of Professional Writing.Continue reading “Summer ILC, Week 1: What’s an ILC again? So many questions!”

Spring ILC, Week 6: Is it vacation yet?

Let’s see, how many of my goals did I accomplish this week?–Finish revising the opening scenes and send the revised draft to my contract sponsor: Check!–Write new meeting-Ampersand and meeting-Sinistra scenes: Half-check–Expand outline to include all possible quotes I might want to use: Nnnope–Homework for class: Check!–Make eye doctor appointment: Check!–Use my lunch breaks at work as actual breaksContinue reading “Spring ILC, Week 6: Is it vacation yet?”

In which Beth finally figures out what she wants to do with her life??

I had a sort of revelation at work last week. There have been several threads of thought regarding my professional like that have been spinning and weaving and untangling themselves for a while now. The main two are: 1. Yes, I’m going to try to become a published novelist, but what am I going toContinue reading “In which Beth finally figures out what she wants to do with her life??”