Tag Archives: books

student blogs

Day 8: Farewell, All

Today’s final class was incredibly meaningful. I had the opportunity to share a small piece of the work I’ve been developing over the past two weeks during this writer’s retreat. I feel a deep sense of accomplishment for having written and completed the foundational draft of Part 1 of the memoir I’ve been working on. It’s been a long time coming, and while there’s still more to refine and expand upon, I now have a strong foundation from which the rest of the story can grow. Ideas are already beginning to overflow, and I’m excited for what’s ahead. Moving forward, I’d like to continue writing for at least an hour a day, just like we did during the retreat, so I can carve out dedicated time to focus and stay accountable.

It was a real pleasure to reconnect with familiar faces from the M.A. program and to meet many of you for the first time. These past two weeks have flown by, but they’ve been deeply enriching, and I’ve truly enjoyed being part of this experience with all of you.

Dr. Zamora, thank you for fostering such a welcoming and safe environment where learning and creativity thrives. Your guidance and care have made this experience truly special, and I am deeply grateful for all the work you’ve done to make this retreat meaningful. I’ll truly miss being in this space with all of you.

With gratitude, I leave you with this:

Don’t Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is strange with its twists and turns
As every one of us sometimes learns
And many a failure comes about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow—
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out—
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell just how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit—
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
John Greenleaf Whittier

student blogs

Day 5: Trusting the Process

Hi all!

I wish I hadn’t missed class today I’ve been recovering from a cold I caught over the weekend and needed more rest. But I’m feeling better and excited to be back with you all for our last few days together. In such a short time, I truly believe we’ve created something so special, rooted in honesty, connection, and creativity.

Although I tried to get some writing done today, it was tough to focus while not feeling my best. I still had a productive day in other ways. I took time to organize my thoughts, reflect on the overall direction of my thesis, and dove into a memoir I’ve been reading called, Dolores, by Catherine Paiz and Riley J. Ford.

Reading memoirs like this one inspires me and helps spark ideas for my writing. There’s something powerful about immersing yourself in someone else’s story, it reminds me of how layered and meaningful personal storytelling can be. Catherine Paiz’s story is especially compelling. She grew up far from the spotlight in the multicultural city of Montreal, where her dreams first began. Later, her path took her to Los Angeles, where she built what looked like a picture-perfect life: love, children, and a YouTube career that reached millions as part of The ACE Family. But behind that success, she faced heartbreak, betrayal, and the loss of her sense of self.

When it all began to unravel, Catherine chose to go inward. Transforming her pain into strength and reconnecting with the woman she was always meant to be. Her story is a powerful reminder that even a life that looks perfect on the outside can hold deep struggles, and that true courage is in choosing authenticity.

Reading Dolores has made me reflect on elements like how memoirs are structured, the voice and tone of the narrator, and how vulnerability is shared on each page. I started reading it a week before our retreat and I’m now about halfway through.

This ties back to the blog starter I should have opened with: What helps you think? Lo-fi music and a good book help me think. There’s something about that combination that grounds me and gets my creative energy flowing. Reading memoirs like Dolores inspires me and helps spark ideas for my writing. There’s just something about it that flips a switch in my brain. Unlike music with lyrics, it doesn’t compete for my attention it plays softly in the background, rhythmic and mellow, creating the perfect atmosphere to focus and get work done.

Through this retreat, I’ve decided to structure my memoir into three parts. To be honest, it hasn’t been easy. I’ve mostly written part two, which still needs revision. I’ve received a lot of helpful feedback on that section, but I’ve realized I need to build and add more to Part One, the before. This section will focus on my family, the relationship with my sisters, and the closeness we shared. I think it’s an important foundation for the rest of the story, and I’m excited (and a little nervous) to dig into that emotional space.

Thanks for reading, see you all in class!