they don't call MFA programs MaFiA programs for nothing....

So.....I assume for those of you who read this regularly, most people know that I have been concentrating on writing, more specifically, health and medical writing. I write regularly for livestrong.com and just had the opportunity to write some articles on breast cancer for the website sheknows.com. I really love it, and I get to use my education and talent (see, family - it's not for nothing!). But, like all talents, my writing needs practice and nurturing. Some people say writing "can't be taught". I have mixed feelings about that. Do I think some people have an innate talent and ease with writing? Yes.....but someone also once said that a writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for everyone else, which is also true to an extent, because writers are always so critical of their writing - there is always a more perfect word, or more beautiful way to say things. Nonetheless, talents can be refined and nurtured and benefit from instruction. After all, people take dance lessons and music lessons. THAT can be taught....so why can't writing?

So I have decided to apply to various programs in order to enable me to pursue more careers in this field. You'd be surprised how many jobs want a PhD, or more education in writing. I am looking at journalism, medical-science writing, and MFA programs. I'm nervous about the MFA programs, because so many of the students I read about on MFA-application blogs are super-literary, super well-read and incredibly creative. I don't think I'm that creative - I mean, I've spent the past how many years trying to tamper that down and focus on the practical, science side. And though I'm fairly well-read and always reading, I feel like I'm not reading the "right" books. I'm not reading the "literary" books. I have no idea who many of these authors are that many applicants are mentioning. It's intimidating. Super intimidating. Every program wants its applicants to write about the books they are currently reading.....and I want to sound smart, so I doubt that "the latest issue of Vogue" and "True Prep" are the kind of books they want to hear about.

But when I read about the classes and writing workshops and literary seminars students have to take, I am so jealous that students HAVE to take these classes, because I would love to have to go to them! I would love to have my days filled with reading and writing and rewriting and such. I don't know if any of this will work out. I am cautiously hopeful. I still love science and oncology, obviously, but this finally lets me use my talent to be involved in that field. I still get a thrill when I think to myself, I'm a writer. (Sort of). It's scary, though. Reading and writing have always come fairly easy to me. I tear through books like there's no tomorrow. I'm constantly reading one or more books at any given time. But I'm applying with hundreds of other students who will put my reading lists to shame. Who majored in English or Comparative Literature or Poetry. Who read literary works instead of what's on the "new in paperback" table of Barnes & Noble. Don't get me wrong; I've read ZZ Packer and Zadie Smith and Joan Didion. But I also love me some brainless reading.

What is my end goal? I'd love to write for a science, health or cancer magazine, or a hospital or health center or website. I'd love to do research and disseminate the findings to the public via journalism. It's not so different from public health and health education, when you think about it. I know it's been a circuitous journey. I'm slowly finding my way and finding my strengths. I just hope I'm not wrong about this path.