After college, I was unsure about what was next.

A change in my life had happened, and it all started back in 2012. I was accepted into the University of Phoenix. I went for their Associates of Arts degree in Communications. When 2014 rolled around, I graduated with a GPA of 3.87.

In 2014, I was accepted to Southern New Hampshire University. This time I was taking a Bachelor of Arts program in English and Creative Writing. I focused on learning the art of fiction writing, screenwriting, and journalism. My class ended in the Winter of 2016, but I did not graduate until 2017 with a GPA of 3.539.

In 2017, I returned to Southern New Hampshire University.  I went for my Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing. During the program, I focused on honing my skills as a fiction writer. It was here that I finished my first draft of my novel, “Hell’s Half Acre,” and this is where my academic journey ended.

In May 2018, I graduated from Southern New Hampshire with a GPA of 3.585. But, now with my Masters, is my academic career over?

College and publications.

Photo logos from Medium, Coffee House Writers, Digital Fox Media, Odyssey, and Mystical Night Media. Collage created by T.L. Hicks using Canva.

At the University of Phoenix, not much happened. It was at Southern New Hampshire University when the changes occurred. It took a few years, but in the Summer of 2016, the Editor and Chief of SNHU Odyssey reached out to me. They wanted me to become a writer for their publication. Thanks to my social anxiety, I refused. Then, in the Fall, I changed my mind and went for it.

In the Fall of 2017, I stopped writing for SNHU Odyssey and went to Coffee House Writers (CHW). I already knew most of the people at CHW from college, and it felt like a better fit for me. I have been with Coffee House Writers as an intern content creator and editor for some time now.

Coffee House Writers was not the only writing platform I joined that Fall. Digital Fox Media liked my article on “Hellboy” and asked me to join their team. I have been writing for them since October 2017. But, on a sad note. Digital Fox Media is downsizing their written content. Which means come July 25, 2018, I will no longer write for them.

All three publications allow me to get my name out there to an audience. I am gaining connections with other writers which may lead to expanding my writing.

Now, what is next?

GIF created by T.L. Hicks using Plotagon Software.

After school ended, I felt lost. I have grown accustomed to my school schedule. So, I created a work schedule. I had Monday’s down pat. The day was set aside to write my articles for Coffee House Writers and Digital Fox Media. I start around 8 am and try to finish around 8 pm.

During the rest of the week, I edit the articles from my Coffee House Writers team as they submit them.

It is during this free time I have the motivation to revise my novel. Plus, work on getting Mystical Night Media going. Neither of those things happened.

I contacted Southern New Hampshire University a few months back. I wanted to find out how much Federal Student Aid I had left. Maybe, I would have enough left over for a Bachelor of Arts or an Associate of Arts degree in Photography.

I like taking pictures, and I have a Coolpix P900 and a Coolpix P530 cameras. I would love to learn how to take great shots that can make the cover of the National Geographic magazines. Better yet, use my pictures to create book covers.

If I could not return to school, then I would try to teach myself. I cannot afford Adobe Creative Cloud, so the next best thing was GIMP and YouTube videos. If there is a will, there is a way.

I found out from the university I could not take either program. My cameras are not adaptable to them. Plus, I did not have enough funds for either program.

What my plans were.

Video created by T.L. Hicks using Plotagon and Microsoft Software.

What I was hoping to do is work from home. Writing novels, creating book covers, and learning animation and other forms of filmmaking. I would like to create YouTube short movies under the Mystical Night Media brand. I need to find out how to get it all legalized.

Money is tight. My husband works as a security guard and does not get paid much. We live in low-income housing with rent based on our income. I am fighting for disability for the fourth time. I may have to get a lawyer this time around.

Guess what is next?

By Steve Lux, Jr. CC BY-SA 4.0, from Wikimedia Commons

Remember me saying, “But, now with my Masters, is my academic career over?”

Guess what, it is not over. Thanks to Southern New Hampshire University, on July 16, 2018, I start my Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. With the degree, I get a certificate in Professional Writing.

I will use my story, “Hells Half Acre” for the program. I will extend the story from 30,000 words to 80,000 words. By the time I am done, I should have a full-length novel ready for publication.

The certificate will help, not only me but also Coffee House Writers and my team. I will learn how to format my articles for search engine optimization (SEO) and better edit my work and my team’s work.

I am looking forward to furthering my education and what the future holds.