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Extreme Masters - by KT Chen

6/24/2019

When I started my masters in English (Fall, 2018), I took a leisurely 9 hours. Though I knocked out 2 requirements, I was more than a little bored, to be honest. I didn't have any job except class and the pace was too slow. After running 100 miles an hour for 18 years as an educator, my classes were downright slothful.

Last semester (Spring 2019), I took 16 hours, and knocked out 4 more requirements. It was fast paced, and there were times I questioned my sanity for signing up for such punishment.

I'm 4 classes shy of my degree. I'll get 2 knocked out in the Fall (19), and 2 in the Spring (20). And because I'm an overachiever, I decided to ask to be admitted to a second master's program.

I got in.

My fall is now up to 16 hours, again. 2 classes of English, 2 classes of history (my new addition).

The good news is, I think it'll be fine. I'm writing my workshop pieces now. I expect my other classes to be read-heavy, but I also expect to be able to handle it, as my last semester has proven.

I'm excited. By 2021, I should have two masters degrees. I'm also researching potential PhD programs that I may want to pursue. (I'm looking at both English / Creative Writing and History PhDs).

I waited a long time to get back into the classroom and get these degrees. I'm very excited that I have the opportunity to pursue them.

Go forth and write!

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Day 22 - by KT Chen

6/17/2019

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100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The idea is to write 1,000 words a day.

I'm on Day 22. I should have 22,000 words by now. I'm sitting at 14,890.

I'm not upset or disappointed. I'm *way* ahead of where I started.

And I haven't played by the rules.

Instead of writing a "book" or a "novel" or even a "class assignment," I've just been writing stories. Literally whatever comes to mind.

The really weird thing is that I'm surprising myself by going way outside my comfort zone. I've written stories about being deaf, an alien trapped on Earth, an athlete, a stalker, and, weirdly enough, a short piece of erotica.

And I keep getting ideas for new stories as I am writing these. I started keeping a list of big ideas, just in case I wanted to turn one into something.

As odd as it may sound, I've never really given myself permission, until now, to just write whatever. I always thought it had to be for a purpose: a book, a class, a job assignment ... something. I never considered that I could write just for the sheer joy of seeing where a story would take me.

I think I'm falling in love with writing again.

Go forth and write!

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Book Covers - by KT Chen

6/10/2019

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All during the month of May I kept getting ads for Adobe Creative Cloud, at a "half off" price for students (only for the first year).

After much deliberation, I spent the money to buy a year's subscription (and emailed myself in the future - www.futureme.org - to remind myself to cancel the subscription next year).

My confession is that I've been using Adobe Spark to create book covers ... for old books, for new books, for book ideas, for thoughts that may one day become a book. It's addicting. And somewhat confusing. I'm not sure if I can really use the "free pictures" without having to pay someone something. (It appears I can, I just have to modify the picture in some way. So far, my "modification" skills are changing the filters).

I'm having fun with it.

I'm also realizing exactly how many books I actually want to write. The answer is: lots. Many still running around in my head.

So, I need to get busy!

Go forth and write!

** 100 Days of Summer writing challenge is at 8,250. I'm behind (should be over 15k by now), but working. **

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I'm Probably Crazy - by KT Chen

6/3/2019

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The first year of my masters degree has come and gone. Surprisingly fast, I might add.

Four classes stand between me and a degree. Four classes. I will take three in the fall and one in the spring.

I think.

Maybe.

See, I found out how to add a second masters program. And now I'm inquiring to see if the second degree wants me in their program.

If I get into the second masters program, I'll switch my schedule, and take 2 current master classes and 2 new master classes in the fall, and the final 2 current master classes and 2 additional new master classes in the spring.

Which, really, is just crazy. Two masters in three years.

So, I'm probably crazy, but that's where I'm at right now.

Go forth and write!

** Update on my 100 Day Challenge (1,000 words for 100 days): I am 7 days in, and have 4,800 words. I'm a bit behind on the goal, but happy I'm getting some writing done. **

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Extreme Masters - by KT Chen

Day 22 - by KT Chen

Book Covers - by KT Chen

I'm Probably Crazy - by KT Chen

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