Skip to content

Writing + Culture + Design + Art

  • #101615 (no title)
  • A Disclaimer
  • About
  • Blog Posts
  • Design Services
  • Introducing my New Creative Writing Seminar! Applications Now Open

Tag: New York University Paris Writers Program

January 13, 2017January 13, 2017The Next Dinner Party

New Year Goal: Stop Being So Lazy

When I was 28 and had just quit my job as a journalist, got married, and moved to Yemen, I wrote a blog post in which I vowed to never stop with my creative pursuits, and to always live a life of passion. Four years later is probably a good time to revisit my wide-eyed […]

Continue Reading "New Year Goal: Stop Being So Lazy"
August 4, 2016March 17, 2019The Next Dinner Party

Is an MFA in Creative Writing Worth It?

A final trip to Paris last month marked the end of my dream graduate school experience. Now, I just need to find a spot to hang my Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing degree from New York University. And finish my book. Oh, and start paying off my student loans, which are substantial. And so, now […]

Continue Reading "Is an MFA in Creative Writing Worth It?"
June 3, 2016October 20, 2017The Next Dinner Party

My Grad School Reading List

  I submitted my graduate school thesis, which is the first 70 pages of my novel. I feel pretty okay about it (not great, because my novel isn’t finished yet). I’ll head to Paris for one last time in July, but already I’m mourning this program ending. Do I really not get to go to Paris […]

Continue Reading "My Grad School Reading List"
January 19, 2016April 25, 2018The Next Dinner Party

Post-Paris Crunch Time

I recently returned from wonderful, romantical Paris, where I completed the fourth residency of my graduate MFA program in creative writing. (Just one more left!). This trip to Paris was especially good. Mr. Jerusal-Em came for a few days and we celebrated New Year’s Eve in the cozy home of friends, walked around Montmarte, and […]

Continue Reading "Post-Paris Crunch Time"
November 30, 2015November 8, 2022The Next Dinner Party

The More You Learn, The Harder it Gets

I’m three-quarters of the way through the low-residency MFA program at New York University and I can say with some confidence that after three intensive residencies in Paris, monthly writing deadlines, and the mentorship of several accomplished authors, I am now a better writer. I can also say with confidence that because I am a […]

Continue Reading "The More You Learn, The Harder it Gets"
July 28, 2015December 21, 2019The Next Dinner Party

Writing Lessons from Paris

I recently returned from Paris after completing my third residency as part of New York University’s Paris Writers Program. Another year – and two more residencies to go –  and hopefully I’ll have an MFA, and more importantly, a decent draft of my novel. Residencies in Paris are inspiring and exhausting. I love every minute […]

Continue Reading "Writing Lessons from Paris"
July 17, 2014October 20, 2017The Next Dinner Party

Notes from Paris

I just spent ten intense and inspiring days in Paris as part of a New York University’s MFA creative writing program. I suspect it will take me weeks to process all the thought-provoking lectures and suggestions for my own writing that I received. Until more grand thoughts and plans of action emerge, here’s a quick […]

Continue Reading "Notes from Paris"

Recent Posts

  • Insane to Live in DC Right Now and Yet I’m Very Happy
  • Progress is Not Linear
  • Escaping a Bleak America for Some ‘Grown Up’ Countries
  • Year in Review: 2024
  • The Evil Eye

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow on WordPress.com

Categories

Meta

  • Create account
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Archives

  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • October 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012

Meta

  • Create account
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com
Blog at WordPress.com.
  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • thenextdinnerparty.com
    • Join 406 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • thenextdinnerparty.com
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...