Some time ago, I stumbled upon Gabriella Pereira and her Do It Yourself MFA (diyMFA). I read it and tossed it back on the shelf. But I decided that I wanted to read it again, and this time actually do it. I have the book and the starter kit, but I am going to work through the book. And by working through, I mean I started a new Scrivener project devoted to doing the exercises and logging the homework.

Gabriella starts with an inventory, so here it goes: (the questions she asks are in bold, so feel free to share your own answers in the comments. You know you want to!)

Inventory:

Writing –

• How long have you been writing regularly?

Since, what, college? But regularly, that started with Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. I worked through that book with Naomi, talking about it every week at Sweet Eugene’s. Jonathan was still in Mother’s Day Out at First Christian Church with Blanche Whitmore. So he was 3 or 4, which puts this about 1998 or 1999. I have been doing morning pages ever since. Also started doing Nanowrimo in 2000 and wrote a large novelish thing each year as well. So 1999 to today, 2025 is about 25-26 years. 

• How much do you write each week?

Hmmm. Three pages times seven days, so about 21 pages of nothingness each week. Some weeks, I do a blog post for about three days, then lose interest. Some weeks I work on fiction. 

• Is your schedule structured or sporadic?

The schedule is structured, either when I first get up, or first thing at work. It’s the actual product that is sporadic. 

• Are you focusing on one project or experimenting with various ideas?

There is no focus. So that is the first thing to work on. Picking a project, and finishing it before moving on to the next shiny thing. 

Reading – 

• Do you read regularly? How many books per year?

I try to read nightly, and for sure I read on weekends, but the shiny social media scrolling is my kryptonite. 

• What are your three favorite topics or genres?
  • I do like nonfiction, especially self-help, productivity, and memoir. I also like to read chick lit and Harry Potter. I like to re-read things as well. There is a comfort in that. 
• What are the last five books you’ve read?

I hate running and you can too by Brendan Leonard

The unstoppable EA by Becky Kaaruni

The Elevated EA by Maggie Jacobs

The Bullet Journal Method, by Ryder Carroll

The 5 AM club by Robin Shara.

Currently reading:

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

The Silent Patient, by Alex Michaelides

and of course, the diyMFA by Gabriella Pereira.

Community –

• Do you have writer friends or colleagues?

Yes, I have Molly, Angie (pseudo), Amy (pseudo) and the Larks.

• Do you have a critique group where you can exchange feedback?

Not right now. I have off and on and find that when I bring things to critique groups, my inner people pleaser goes into high gear and I want to fix the book so everyone likes it. I need to learn to write MY books, My way, and make me happy with them first. To trust myself. 

• Have you gone to any events or conferences?

Oh, yes. Local and in Houston. Such fun! But not lately.

• Do you read any writing blogs, magazines, or websites?

Probably all of them

• Do you connect with writers on social media? If so, where?

Yes, too many. I need to read their books rather than their grandma’s potato pancake recipes, right?

What is the biggest win you’ve experienced in your writing, reading, or community building this past year? If you haven’t celebrated this win, do something in the next week to honor your accomplishment.

The biggest win would be the Honorable Mention at the Austin Writers League contest all those years ago. I did celebrate. But showing up everyday to morning pages, even if they are shit, is something too. I need to stop with “morning” pages so much as journal notes, things and Ideas I can build on for writing blogs and essays. 

If you could improve one thing in your writing life, what would that be?

That I would write things that I could share with others. That I could improve the quality of my thinking and bring new ideas to light about life, love, and whatever else I want to write about.