The Definition of Brave

I’m about to become a “non-traditional student.” In other words, I’m not 23 and fresh out of undergrad – I’m older than that, but feel fresh regardless. I’m moving to New York this summer where I’ll get my MFA in fiction from Vermont College. It’s a low-residency program, so basically I get to live in New York and set my own schedule (mostly) for completing my degree. I’m beyond excited about all of it.

I wasn’t remotely ready for college the first time, but it was a socially acceptable way to run away from home so off I went. It was a disaster. I learned almost nothing, except maybe what it’s like to be homeless in Denver in the middle of a snowstorm, and the alcohol content of Everclear (95%).

I spent most of my adult life in the Bay Area, with the last four years in beautiful Taos, New Mexico. I’ve been a freelance writer for seven years (I’ve also been a consultant, had a couple businesses, taught entrepreneurship, and done some other fun stuff), but since last fall I’ve been freelancing full time. So far so good. I haven’t had to go on the Top Ramen diet yet, although that may change after writing my first New York rent check.

When hearing my plans, more than a few people have told me I’m brave. I don’t feel brave. Brave implies doing something risky, and this has been a twin dream of mine for so long I can’t imagine not doing it – my leap feels inevitable, not daring. I’m as unencumbered as I’m probably ever going to be, and I have savings to pay for it, so why not? (That’s where the true bravery will kick in – watching my savings plummet over the next couple years and not racing out and selling a kidney to stop the plunge.) Plus, I can start building up my savings again after I graduate, right?

(Pause as Deonne Googles “requirements for masters in biotechnology or other degree that actually increases your income”)

Nope. Sticking to the original plan.

So why join the bajillion other bloggers? I figure there are others out there who may be considering grad school or moving to New York, and if so, this blog’s for you. Here’s what I’ll focus on:

The ins and outs of grad school – the interesting, the inspiring, the challenging. I’ll try to leave out the tedious.

A new New Yorker’s take on what it’s like living and exploring there, shared with an unabashed sense of wonder, no pretense of being cool or hip – a love song to my favorite American city with my dorkiosity laid bare. (I know that’s not a real word. It’s a habit of mine, making up a word when I can’t find the right one, which probably doesn’t bode well for my fiction writing career.)

Lastly, my pledge: I will keep the cursing to a minimum. (Hi mom!)

And I encourage comments, but if you’re mean I’ll have to bounce the post. Be nice.