Posted on by listeningmoon

How to Build a Thriving Career as a Digital Nomad and Live Your Dream Life

For aspiring digital nomads who want more than a temporary remote role, the hardest part is separating real digital nomad lifestyle opportunities from jobs that look flexible but collapse under time zones, unreliable income, or strict oversight. The usual advice points to a narrow set of remote positions, which can leave beginners feeling boxed in or underqualified. There’s a bigger menu of surprising remote careers built as location-independent professions, including smart remote work alternatives that reward skill, consistency, and clear boundaries. The goal is simple: choose work that can fund freedom without turning travel into another kind of grind.

Understanding Sustainable Digital Nomad Work

A digital nomad lifestyle works best when travel follows a work system, not the other way around. Sustainable remote work means your role can handle time zones, protect focus, and deliver steady income without constant “always on” pressure.

This matters because remote work is common enough to plan around, with 28% of working adults in Great Britain hybrid working in early 2025. Once you know the criteria, you can choose an upskilling path that fits your life: self-study for speed, mentorship for feedback, or a flexible online degree for structure and credibility. You can check out this resource for an example of what that kind of structured path can look like.

Think of it like building a travel-ready toolkit. You pick the skills, then add systems like productivity tools that keep work predictable on the road. With that foundation, the career options become easier to match to your strengths.

Explore 6 Unexpected Remote Careers (and How to Start Each)

If you’ve been building “sustainable work” criteria, portable skills, predictable income, and timezone-friendly routines, these six career paths can fit surprisingly well. Pick one that matches your interests, then choose a simple first project you can complete in the next 7–14 days.

  1. Start small as an online fitness coach: Choose one clear niche (busy beginners, postpartum strength, mobility for desk workers) and write a 4-week starter plan you can deliver via check-ins and short video reviews. Run a beta round with 3–5 clients at a reduced price in exchange for testimonials and before/after metrics like consistency, reps, or mobility. This fits best if you like coaching, accountability, and creating repeatable systems.
  2. Build a remote therapy and counseling pathway the right way: If you’re already licensed, confirm where you’re allowed to practice, how you’ll handle privacy, and what your “home base” address will be for compliance. If you’re not yet qualified, map a realistic route: prerequisite classes, supervised hours, and a timeline that supports your remote plans. This fits best for people who want deeper 1:1 work and can maintain strong boundaries while traveling.
  3. Offer virtual teaching and tutoring with a tight scope: Pick one subject and one outcome, “pass the exam,” “conversational confidence,” or “homework support twice a week”, and design a 30-minute session template you can repeat. Start by tutoring one learner consistently for a month to stabilize income, then add a second time block rather than scattering sessions across your day. This fits best if you enjoy explaining concepts and prefer structured schedules.
  4. Test digital archaeology roles through micro-projects: Digital archaeology often means research support: organizing field notes, cleaning datasets, building simple 3D models from photos, or writing summaries for museum collections. Create a mini-portfolio with one cleaned dataset and one short report to prove you can handle careful, evidence-based work remotely. This fits best if you’re detail-oriented, patient, and comfortable learning specialized workflows.
  5. Turn travel photography into remote work with a “deliverables” mindset: Instead of waiting for perfect destinations, build a repeatable shot list, street scenes, interiors, food, portraits, and publish 20–30 edited images as a starter portfolio. A simple tripod helps keep shots consistent when you’re shooting solo in low light or filming short clips for clients. This fits best if you like visual storytelling and don’t mind doing outreach and edits.
  6. Launch an online wedding planning business with packages and boundaries: Define your service like “virtual month-of coordination” or “vendor shortlist + timeline,” then write a one-page process: intake form, planning call, deliverables, and response times. Many nomads prefer freelancing with travel because you can control meetings, so batch calls into 2–3 days a week and set clear office hours. This fits best if you’re organized, calm under pressure, and love logistics.

Digital Nomad Career Questions, Answered

Q: How do I build client trust when I’m never in the same place twice?
A: Make your work feel “locally reliable” even if you are mobile. Use a simple kickoff doc, a shared project board, and weekly updates that show progress, decisions, and next steps. Lock in expectations with clear deliverables, revision limits, and response-time boundaries.

Q: What should I do if the internet is unreliable and I can’t risk missing deadlines?
A: Create a connectivity backup stack: a local SIM or eSIM hotspot, offline-ready files, and a list of two nearby work-friendly locations. Schedule calls in the most stable window of your day and batch deep work when bandwidth is strongest. If something fails, message early with a new ETA and a concrete workaround.

Q: How can I avoid burning out when work follows me everywhere?
A: Treat boundaries as part of your job, not a luxury. The fact that 60% of remote employees report burnout is a reminder to limit pings, set office hours, and protect one true day off weekly. Use one “anchor routine” daily, like a walk, workout, or meal that signals your brain to clock out.

Q: When should I take meetings if my clients are in different time zones?
A: Pick two to three meeting blocks per week and keep them consistent so clients can plan around you. Offer async options first, like Loom-style updates, written check-ins, or a shared Q and A doc. If a live call is needed, propose two times and let the client choose.

Q: Can I really earn consistently, or is this lifestyle only for a lucky few?
A: Consistency comes from repeatable offers and steady outreach, not perfect travel plans. With 35% of the U.S. workforce working remotely at least part-time, the opportunity is real, but your stability will come from contracts, retainers, and a pipeline you review weekly.

Build Your Digital Nomad Career From Zero to Remote

This process helps you turn “I want to work remotely” into a simple plan you can execute: a clear niche, proof of skills, a steady client pipeline, and a workspace routine that survives travel days. It matters because the nomad lifestyle only feels free when your income and schedule are stable.

  1. Choose a niche you can explain in one sentence
    Start by picking one service you can deliver repeatedly (examples: email marketing, video editing, bookkeeping, customer support, UX writing) and one audience you want to serve (coaches, ecommerce brands, SaaS, local businesses). Write a one-line offer like “I help X achieve Y using Z” so your outreach and portfolio stay focused.
  2. Build a proof-first portfolio (even without clients)
    Create 2 to 4 sample projects that look like real work: a redesigned landing page, a short ad campaign, three support macros, or a mini analytics report. Add a short case-study format for each one: problem, what you did, tools used, and what “better” would look like, so hiring managers and clients can picture outcomes.
  3. Start a weekly client engine with small, consistent outreach
    Pick two channels and stick to them for 30 days: remote job boards plus direct outreach, or Upwork plus referrals, or LinkedIn plus niche communities. Send 5 to 10 tailored messages per week that reference a specific need and offer one clear next step like a 15-minute call or a short paid trial.
  4. Make your delivery process feel dependable from day one
    Send a welcome email to confirm the goal, scope, files you need, and communication rules so nobody wonders what happens next. Then explain the timeline with milestones and review points, which reduces back-and-forth and makes you easier to work with anywhere.
  5. Lock in nomad-friendly time management and a mobile workspace
    Set fixed “office hours,” a weekly planning block, and one daily deep-work window, because time management is moderately related to job performance and wellbeing and can lower distress. Build a travel-ready setup: laptop stand, compact keyboard or mouse if needed, noise-canceling headphones, a surge protector, and a connectivity backup so you can work confidently across new places.

Take One Remote Career Step and Join a Nomad Network

It’s easy to get stuck between wanting freedom and fearing unstable income, isolation, or a messy work routine on the road. The way through is embracing nomad mindset: treat the path as a series of small experiments, supported by ongoing skill development and simple motivational strategies for remote careers that keep progress steady. When that approach becomes the norm, work feels more portable, decisions get clearer, and confidence grows with each iteration. Pick one next move, then keep showing up until it becomes your new normal. Choose one career experiment to run this week, and find nomad networks that offer community support for nomads who will keep momentum high. That mix of capability and connection builds the resilience that makes this lifestyle sustainable.

This is created by Heather Kerns.

Posted on by listeningmoon

Finding Your Readers: Practical and Slightly Unpredictable Ways Writers Get Discovered

Image: Freepik

Every writer—novelist, blogger, poet, essayist, or newsletter experimenter—faces one stubborn problem: readers don’t magically appear. They must be earned, invited, nudged, intrigued, and sometimes surprised into noticing you. Below is a purposeful guide to help you turn your craft into something sustainable.

Summary

You grow by building discoverable work, cross-pollinating your presence across surfaces, making your writing portable, creating memorable touchpoints, and treating visibility as an ongoing craft—just like the writing itself.

Traction Paths for Modern Writers

Discovery RouteWhat It DoesWhy It Works
Micro-publishing (e.g., short essays on platforms like Medium)Builds snackable entry pointsLow friction for new readers
Community guest appearances (podcasts, blogs, Q&A features)Injects your voice into someone else’s audienceBorrowed trust accelerates growth
Newsletter swapsExpands your ecosystemDirect, permission-based discovery
Releasing mini-guidesProves value upfrontShareable content attracts durable readers
Participating in genre-aligned forumsShows expertise naturallyOrganic fan acquisition

What Actually Helps Writers Get Found

1. Write in Multiple Layers

Short, mid-length, and long pieces each attract different types of readers. A 200-word tip post may lead someone into your 80-page novella. A deep tutorial can get shared in circles you’ve never met. 

2. Tell People What Your Writing Stands For

Readers don’t follow generalists; they follow voices. Define what your writing is about in the first line of your bio. If your theme is “quiet rebellion” or “domestic magic,” say it plainly. 

3. Get Quoted, Even Informally

Whenever you answer questions on forums or contribute to community threads, you create micro-citations. These accumulate into ambient visibility. 

4. Collaborate With Complementary Creators

Essayists pair beautifully with photographers. Novelists with illustrators. Poets with musicians. Collisions create discovery.

5. Build Momentum With Smaller Wins

Tiny publications, guest spots, or niche newsletters count. They create a breadcrumb trail toward your bigger work. 

Creating a Visibility Routine

Use this once a week:

  1. Publish one small piece (a thread, tip, micro-essay).
  2. Resurface an older piece and share it in a new context.
  3. Comment in 2–3 communities where your genre lives.
  4. Pitch one collaboration (newsletter swap or joint piece).
  5. Make one intentional edit to your online presence—bio, website, pinned post, etc.
  6. Track what people respond to so you’re not guessing.

Leaving an Impression With Custom Business Cards

A surprising number of writers still land early fans through analog touchpoints. One of the most enduring tools? A standout business card that feels like an extension of your style. When you design custom cards that mirror your voice, you give people a reason to remember you long after the conversation ends.

If you want an easy way to create something polished, business card print options let you design and order custom printed cards with high-quality templates, generative, and intuitive editing tools—all in one place.

Product Spotlight

If you often lose track of drafts or inspiration scraps, the minimal distraction-free writing app Typora can be a quiet lifesaver. It’s markdown-based, clean, and ideal for writers who dislike clutter.

FAQs

Q: Is social media mandatory?
A: No, but discoverability requires surfaces. You can choose slow, quiet surfaces (blogs, communities, newsletters) if fast ones feel draining.

Q: How often should I publish?
A: Often enough that readers remember you exist. “Consistent irregularity” is fine—just avoid disappearing for years.

Q: Should I niche down?
A: Only enough that readers recognize a vibe or theme. There’s room for range once you have an audience.

Q: Does longform still work?
A: Absolutely—thoughtful depth travels well, especially via newsletters and curated reading lists.

Extras That Pull Readers In

  • A recurring series format
  • A one-sentence philosophy under your byline
  • Free mini-stories or chapter excerpts
  • Annotated versions of your own work
  • Behind-the-scenes thought dumps
  • Occasional, personal, “here’s-what’s-on-my-desk” notes

Conclusion

Being discovered is rarely a single moment—it’s a consistent pattern of showing up, shaping your voice, building memorable touchpoints, and making your work easy for readers to find. Treat visibility as a craft, not an accident, and you’ll build the kind of audience that fuels your writing life for years.

This is created by Heather Kerns.

Posted on by listeningmoon

How College Students Can Start and Grow a Freelance Writing Career

College students and recent graduates often have strong writing chops but no clear way to translate them into income, experience, and credible clips. The tension is real: class deadlines, part-time jobs, and pressure to “get experience” can make traditional entry-level writing opportunities feel scarce or out of reach. A freelance writing career can be an accessible option because it meets people where they are, whether writing starts as a side hustle between lectures or a first step after graduation. With the right expectations, writing can become paid work that builds momentum.

Quick Summary: Start Freelance Writing in College

  • Choose a writing niche that fits your interests and helps clients quickly understand your value.
  • Find writing clients with clear outreach and a simple process for pitching and following up.
  • Balance writing and studies by setting realistic commitments that protect your coursework and deadlines.
  • Manage your freelance time with straightforward planning so writing fits your weekly schedule.

Understanding the Freelance Writing Business Mindset

Freelance writing works best when you treat it like a small business, not random gigs. That means choosing a niche you can grow into, building skills that raise your rates, and keeping clients happy so income repeats. As you get steadier, compare your state’s costs and rules so you know when a formal setup, small business structure, and basic legal steps start to matter.

This mindset helps you stop reinventing the wheel every month. Consistent clients can reduce stress during busy semesters because you spend less time hunting for new work. Using a client service agreement also makes expectations clearer, which can prevent payment and scope surprises.

Think of it like campus life: you pick a major, take classes to level up, and build relationships with professors for recommendations. Freelancing is similar, with niches as your major, skills as your coursework, and retention as your long-term network.

Build Your Freelance Writing Career in 5 Steps

This sequence takes you from “I like writing” to getting paid work you can manage during a busy semester. You will build credibility quickly, find clients more efficiently, and set up simple systems so assignments and deadlines do not collide.

  1. Upgrade one writing skill at a time
    Start by picking one skill tied to paid outcomes, like writing tighter introductions, outlining faster, or editing for clarity. Practice on short pieces you can finish in 30 to 60 minutes, then collect what you learned into a simple checklist you reuse. This keeps improvement measurable and prevents you from endlessly “getting ready” without publishing.
  2. Choose a niche you can stick with for 90 days
    Choose a topic you can talk about comfortably and a type of writing you can repeat, like blog posts for campus orgs, product descriptions, or email newsletters. A niche makes it easier for people to remember and recommend you, and it speeds up your research time. The long-term upside is real, since the global content writing services market is projected to grow from 2023 to 2030.
  3. Build a small portfolio that matches the work you want
    Create 3 to 5 samples in your niche, formatted like real client work, with clear headlines and clean structure. If you do not have clients yet, write “spec” pieces for imaginary brands or rewrite weak pages into stronger versions and explain your choices briefly. A focused portfolio beats a huge folder of unrelated class assignments.
  4. Find gigs with a repeatable outreach routine
    Start with warm leads you already have, like student groups, professors, labs, alumni organizations, and local small businesses, then add a weekly batch of cold emails or platform pitches. Keep your message short: who you help, what you write, one relevant sample, and a clear next step like a 10-minute call. You are not alone in choosing this route, since the distribution of freelance workers included about 15% Gen Z in a 2023 survey.
  5. Market your services, protect your time, and get organized as you grow
    Pick one marketing channel you can maintain, such as LinkedIn posts once a week or a simple referral ask after every project, and track every lead in one list. Use a school-friendly deadline system: schedule client due dates 48 hours before your real cutoff, block two weekly writing sessions, and confirm scope in writing before you start. Once you have steady monthly income, separate your finances, save for taxes, and consider basic formation and compliance help so paperwork stays boring and manageable, with ZenBusiness as one option.

Freelance Writing Starter Checklist to Use Weekly

To keep it simple: This checklist turns big goals into small wins you can finish between classes. Use it weekly to stay focused, communicate clearly, and keep projects moving without last-minute stress.

✔ Define your niche and one paid writing service

✔ Set a starter rate and minimum project scope

✔ Create three targeted samples in a single folder

✔ Draft a short proposal template with clear deliverables

✔ Send five pitches to warm contacts or local organizations

✔ Confirm timelines, revisions, and payment terms in writing

✔ Track leads, deadlines, and invoices in one simple sheet

Check these off, then repeat next week with slightly higher standards.

Turn One Student Pitch Into Long-Term Freelance Momentum

Balancing classes, money stress, and imposter feelings can make freelance writing motivation fade before a first email even goes out. The path that holds up is a small-steps mindset: use the checklist to stay consistent, build writer confidence through repetition, and treat every attempt as practice, not a verdict. Over time, student freelance opportunities become proof points that open real career growth paths, from steady side income to a portfolio that supports long-term freelance success. One thoughtful pitch beats a week of overthinking. Choose one publication, campus office, or local business and send one short pitch this week. That simple habit builds resilience, options, and a career you can carry beyond graduation.

This is written by Heather Kerns.

Posted on by listeningmoon

Finding Your Readers: Practical and Slightly Unpredictable Ways Writers Get Discovered

Every writer—novelist, blogger, poet, essayist, or newsletter experimenter—faces one stubborn problem: readers don’t magically appear. They must be earned, invited, nudged, intrigued, and sometimes surprised into noticing you. Below is a purposeful guide to help you turn your craft into something sustainable.

Summary

You grow by building discoverable work, cross-pollinating your presence across surfaces, making your writing portable, creating memorable touchpoints, and treating visibility as an ongoing craft—just like the writing itself.

Traction Paths for Modern Writers

Discovery RouteWhat It DoesWhy It Works
Micro-publishing (e.g., short essays on platforms like Medium)Builds snackable entry pointsLow friction for new readers
Community guest appearances (podcasts, blogs, Q&A features)Injects your voice into someone else’s audienceBorrowed trust accelerates growth
Newsletter swapsExpands your ecosystemDirect, permission-based discovery
Releasing mini-guidesProves value upfrontShareable content attracts durable readers
Participating in genre-aligned forumsShows expertise naturallyOrganic fan acquisition

What Actually Helps Writers Get Found1. Write in Multiple Layers

Short, mid-length, and long pieces each attract different types of readers. A 200-word tip post may lead someone into your 80-page novella. A deep tutorial can get shared in circles you’ve never met. 

2. Tell People What Your Writing Stands For

Readers don’t follow generalists; they follow voices. Define what your writing is about in the first line of your bio. If your theme is “quiet rebellion” or “domestic magic,” say it plainly. 

3. Get Quoted, Even Informally

Whenever you answer questions on forums or contribute to community threads, you create micro-citations. These accumulate into ambient visibility. 

4. Collaborate With Complementary Creators

Essayists pair beautifully with photographers. Novelists with illustrators. Poets with musicians. Collisions create discovery.

5. Build Momentum With Smaller Wins

Tiny publications, guest spots, or niche newsletters count. They create a breadcrumb trail toward your bigger work. 

Creating a Visibility Routine

Use this once a week:

  1. Publish one small piece (a thread, tip, micro-essay).
  2. Resurface an older piece and share it in a new context.
  3. Comment in 2–3 communities where your genre lives.
  4. Pitch one collaboration (newsletter swap or joint piece).
  5. Make one intentional edit to your online presence—bio, website, pinned post, etc.
  6. Track what people respond to so you’re not guessing.

Leaving an Impression With Custom Business Cards

A surprising number of writers still land early fans through analog touchpoints. One of the most enduring tools? A standout business card that feels like an extension of your style. When you design custom cards that mirror your voice, you give people a reason to remember you long after the conversation ends.

If you want an easy way to create something polished, business card print options let you design and order custom printed cards with high-quality templates, generative, and intuitive editing tools—all in one place.

Product Spotlight

If you often lose track of drafts or inspiration scraps, the minimal distraction-free writing app Typora can be a quiet lifesaver. It’s markdown-based, clean, and ideal for writers who dislike clutter.

FAQs

Q: Is social media mandatory?
A: No, but discoverability requires surfaces. You can choose slow, quiet surfaces (blogs, communities, newsletters) if fast ones feel draining.

Q: How often should I publish?
A: Often enough that readers remember you exist. “Consistent irregularity” is fine—just avoid disappearing for years.

Q: Should I niche down?
A: Only enough that readers recognize a vibe or theme. There’s room for range once you have an audience.

Q: Does longform still work?
A: Absolutely—thoughtful depth travels well, especially via newsletters and curated reading lists.

Extras That Pull Readers In

  • A recurring series format
  • A one-sentence philosophy under your byline
  • Free mini-stories or chapter excerpts
  • Annotated versions of your own work
  • Behind-the-scenes thought dumps
  • Occasional, personal, “here’s-what’s-on-my-desk” notes

Conclusion

Being discovered is rarely a single moment—it’s a consistent pattern of showing up, shaping your voice, building memorable touchpoints, and making your work easy for readers to find. Treat visibility as a craft, not an accident, and you’ll build the kind of audience that fuels your writing life for years.

This article is written by Heather Kerns.

Posted on by listeningmoon

Our beloved’s departure was not a heavy rain, but a persistent humidity

Last April, when Dad was diagnosed with leukemia, and the doctor said it was a moderate type and most patients could live over ten years, my brothers and I felt relieved. I had just become an American citizen and started applying for my American passport and planned to go back to celebrate Chinese New Year. Due to COVID, I hadn’t been to China for over four years. I was sure my dad would recover, and I imagined inviting him to the U.S. to see where I live, what I was doing, and to meet my friends and family here–he had never been here yet.

However, things didn’t go as well as the doctor said, Dad’s condition grew worse and worse. He quickly lost weight; he couldn’t walk or sit for long, and what he experienced was pain. I then got my passport and started to apply for my Chinese visa, but it was delayed because the Chinese embassy required my naturalization certificate, which the passport center would send back to me eight weeks after I received my passport.

My dad was sent to the emergency room. I talked to the agent who helped me apply for a Chinese visa, asking if I could send the paper later. I called the passport center, begging them to send me my naturalization paper. I asked my dad to wait for me. The Chinese embassy refused my request, stating that my passport alone couldn’t prove I am an American citizen. The American passport center didn’t promise when they could send back my naturalization paper; they just asked me to wait patiently.

But my dad couldn’t wait. Twenty days after being discharged from the emergency room, Dad passed away at noon here, midnight in China. Until the moment my mom told me, “Your dad is gone,” I still couldn’t believe my dad would die. I cried in the video to my dad, “Why didn’t you wait for me? You didn’t wait for me because you don’t love me!” I had nowhere to vent my anger, sadness, and regret; I could only do it toward my dad’s body through the video.

My brothers and mother had been there with my dad when he was sick, when he passed, and during the five days of his funeral. The guests and the atmosphere at the funeral helped them accept the fact that Dad was gone. I hadn’t been there, and I couldn’t get over it. I couldn’t believe it.

Mostly, I felt guilty and regretful, which changed my attitude toward life. I became lazy and felt life was meaningless. When I reached some of my goals or received some surprises in life, work, or study, I felt empty because the one with whom I liked to share those feelings was not there anymore. In the poor, remote village where I was born and grew up, my dad was the first person who thought education was important for both girls and boys, and I was the first one to continue my education after middle school and become a teacher, which encouraged other parents to send their girls to high schools or vocational schools. He always supported me, whether I quit my teaching job and moved to a big city, decided to marry my husband, relocated to the US, or attend college here. Now, he is gone; he didn’t see my graduation, and he didn’t even meet my daughter in person.

I read books about death and wished my dad was somewhere in heaven looking at me. I kept his photos on my bookshelf and in my wallet. Wherever I went and whatever I did, I talked to his photo. This comforted me a bit. Thinking about Dad made my heart sink. I miss Dad so much. I unconsciously think of him while doing dishes, driving, watching a show, or even during writing. Many mornings when I woke up, especially when I dreamed of him, I felt that he was still here—talking, laughing, sitting, standing, in no pain, and asking me not to be tired and to maintain my health. I wish the time from last April was a dream, and if this could bring Dad back, I’d like to delete this period from my life, even longer, I wouldn’t mind. I am willing to.

Yu Hua, the famous Chinese writer, said, “Our beloved’s departure was not a heavy rain, but a persistent humidity. I am forever trapped in this dampness.” Dad has been gone for nine months, and I still can’t accept this truth. The guilt, regret, and grief haven’t faded a bit. I don’t know when I will feel better, or if I ever will for the rest of my life. At this moment, as I write these words, my heart is in pain, the same as the moment Mom told me Dad was gone. Oh, so hard!

Ying Tao is the Editorial Assistant of the North Pine County News. She can be reached at 320-384-6188 or circulation@hinckleynews.com

This is published in the North Pine County News on May 24, 2024.

Posted on by listeningmoon

Gao Named First Recipient of Harlequin Diverse Voices Scholarship

by David Ertischek

Ying Gao, MFA ’24 was very surprised upon learning that she was the first-ever Emerson College recipient of the Harlequin Diverse Voices Scholarship.

“It means a lot to me. English is not my native language. It’s kind of a challenge to write in English,” said Gao, who receives $2,000 thanks to the scholarship

Gao was a teacher before moving to the U.S. in 2014 from China, and has since written four novels in English, She now lives in Minnesota with her family, and recently graduated from the University of Minnesota at the age of 40.

Harlequin, a global publisher of romance, fiction, and nonfiction, created the scholarship this year for students enrolled in Emerson’s Popular Fiction graduate program. Scholarships are awarded by program faculty to students who bring diverse voices and stories to their writing and show exceptional talent and passion for a pursuing career in writing. 

“Emerson College is thrilled to have been selected as a Harlequin Diverse Voices Scholarship institution. We designed our MFA in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing with inclusion in mind,” said Kim McLarin, Interim Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies. “Fully online and asynchronous, it can be completed in as little as five semesters and is more affordable than many comparable MFA degrees. As a result, diverse aspiring writers from all over the world have joined our community, where the joys and challenges of crafting high-quality romance, sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, thriller, horror and young adult fiction are celebrated.”

Faculty reviewed writing samples submitted with admissions applications, and then determined Gao was the one. One faculty member said, “Gao, in addition to being a fluid and compelling storyteller of great depth, best represents the goals and ideals of this scholarship.” 

The selection committee said, “In Ying Gao’s fiction the settings are vivid, the characters complex, the stakes high. Her voice is quietly penetrating, unafraid to dig into the dark spaces of the psyche and the heart in order to illuminate what it means to be human in this world. This is precisely the work of good fiction.” 

Gao enjoyed writing romance stories in Mandarin, but for English, she prefers to write on more serious topics such as women’s fiction.

“I want people to know how the bottom class feels, and stories of women from a lower class and low-income families,” said Gao. “It reflects something about ordinary people’s lives and how they struggle, and how they try to get what they want.”

Her submitted work is about a very poor undocumented girl in China whose father disowned her because she wasn’t a boy.

“Under this circumstance, she tries to get more education and try to find true love. But finds that love hurts and there are disappointments,” said Gao. “Her pursuit of true love goes badly – and she is just 15 years older than her son. She becomes crazy, her husband locked her in a room for two years, she went into a mental hospital, then goes in treatment and plans to open book store or go to college.”

Despite just starting weeks ago at Emerson, Gao can share how the program has already helped.

“I love it. This is what I want. Especially the writing workshop. I submitted two chapters and I got a lot of very, very helpful suggestions,” said Gao. “If I didn’t attend Emerson I don’t know if I could figure out the correct editing I need.”

Gao also believes that this scholarship is just the beginning of great things to come.

“I went to two people in my 20s to ask them about my future. And one said I’d be really rich at 27, it’s 13 years later since I was 27,” joked Gao. “I hope this scholarship will get me good luck to get my goal of being a published writer.”

CATEGORIES

News & Stories

TAGS

Graduate and Professional Studies, School of the Arts, Students, Writing Literature and Publishing

This is published in Emerson Today.

Posted on by listeningmoon

Wandering Wonders: My Hilarious Evening at Wang Yujia’s Minnesota Orchestra Concert

Last year when I was looking for a job, I found a writer’s position opening at Minnesota Orchestra. As an admirer of the Minnesota Orchestra, imagining working with the musicians encouraged me to apply for the job. Therefore, I searched and watched videos on YouTube and got to know many conductors. With YouTube’s recommendation, I was led to a young conductor, and upon searching for his information, I got to know his girlfriend was from China, named Wang Yujia. That was my first time heard of Wang Yujia. 

About one month ago, the Chinese social media Xiaohongshu kept notifying me about Wang Yujia. Most of the information and comments were about how she wore provocatively in her show and very few comments about her professionalism. At the same time, Minnesota Orchestra’s newsletter informed that Wang Yujia would play with them in Minnesota. I decided to attend this concert, to reward myself for my hard work.

Because I purchased the ticket in late time and could only afford the cheapest one, I let the ticket system choose seats for me. When walked into the hall, I got to know that my seat was on the third floor. It was too far that I couldn’t see the mumian on the platform clearly. Worse was that there was a rail in front of me, I could only watch the player on the left platform between the bars of the rail. 

The old gentleman who sat by me was wise: he brought a pair of telescopes with him. As for me, I didn’t know classical music, even though I had taken a course on Music Appreciation in college, I couldn’t tell all the names of the instruments, no need to mention appreciating the music. But my neighbor was obviously an expert. He dressed in a vest. He echoed the rhymes with his hands, shoulders, and head. A satisfied smile hung on his face, the smile I have only seen on children who got their satisfied toys. After one piece of performance ended, he stood up, clapped the loudest, shouted “Oh–ho, whistled, and talked to himself, “Amazing, That’s amazing!” I asked him if he was a musician, and he said no, he plays a bit of Guitar. But he’s a fan of classic music. He said he was very excited about this concert because he had dreamed of these pieces of music to be performed. And today, Wang Yujia made his dream come true, and she made it so perfectly!

Wang Yujia wore a golden shinning short dress with tassels on the bottom. According to the audience on Xiaohongshu, she’s exposed her beautiful shoulders and back. She also wore high-heeled golden shoes. My neighbor said her heels were six inches high, and he also added, “You never know what she would wear until she shows up.” My neighbor is definitely Wang Yujia’s super fan! 

For Wang Yujia, “pianist” is not just a nametag for her. I am shocked at her performance. I wonder how that slim body can hold such strong strength. Her bending body and her fast-bounced fingers on the keys made her music powerful. The whole hall was quiet in listening to her! I think, only when a person spends their whole life working on one thing that is their passion can they reach such a high place.

After the concert ended, I went to my next step: looking for my parked car. I have no sense of direction. Without GPS, I can’t drive anywhere. But I was sure I could make it this time, because after parked my car, I took a photo of the parking number. But the aisles outside the concert hall were so alike, each one looked like the one I came in. I followed the biggest group of people turning right. Through the skyway, I got outside the door, but it didn’t look like the parking lot I parked my car. I walked upwards and, on the turning, I saw a young couple. The girl was from Asia––maybe because Wang Yujia was from China, I found many Asian audiences and heard many people speak Chinese. This couple seemed couldn’t find their car too. They kept going upward, I went down, along with the exit sign, and got out of the building. Standing by the street and trying to recall the road I drove through; I still couldn’t figure out the direction or which entrance I went in. And it was cold outside. I returned to the first floor of the building (it should be the Hilton Hotel), where I met the young couple again. The girl smiled at me. I said to them that I couldn’t find my car, and the young man said with an embarrassed smile, “Same here.” 

I quickly climbed the stairs and walked through the skyway. While walking, I thought that it was a punishment for I left my husband and two kids at home, and I was alone to enjoy the musical night. (The truth is my kids and husband don’t like orchestra). Returning to the concert hall, I found no one was there. Standing there and hesitating for a while, I turned left. Luckily, a young man in a black suit and carrying a black backpack showed up. I ran to him. Getting close, I noticed he just put on lip balm––he must be an exquisite person who loves life. I asked him if he knew the parking lot. He said yes, I showed him my parking picture, he said he also parked in that area, and I needed to walk backward. How fortunate, or I would miss it again and waste time! He pressed the elevator button and asked me if I was there for the concert, I said yes and asked him the same question, he said he belongs to the New York Orchestra. I walked too fast and was too tired to ask him what instrument he was playing. When the elevator reached level 2, he held the door open and pointed to the parking lot, saying my car must be in that area. Then he wished me good luck. What a kind man! I could only say thanks again and again.

As expected, I found my car in two minutes.

To a person like me who is weak in operational ability, driving a car is a big challenge to me, the most difficult work in my life. I had spent five years, taking two times in traffic rule test and four times on road test to get my driver’s license. Driving into the city is always a challenge too. Without any surprise, I exited the wrong way last night, and it took me another eight minutes to reach the parking lot. I followed the signs in the parking lot, but I didn’t know why and how I drove out of the parking lot! I had to make a turn and reenter the parking lot. It was full of cars. I finally found a narrow space by the wall pillar. I thought my small car (2019 Chevrolet Spark) could make it––I chose this style for easy parking. It was a left parking space. To be honest, I haven’t done much parallel or backing parking because places I had been had wide parking lots. I started making a left turn a little bit early and then my car side hit the wall. I heard the scratching sound. I couldn’t make a reserve but to move forward and parked it awkwardly. 

The light was dim last night, plus, I was in a hurry, so I didn’t pay more attention to the scratching. This morning when I checked my car. Oh my god, it was a big scratching and dent, right under the door. It reminded me of my dream one day ago: I dreamed that my nose was bleeding. I checked online the next morning, and it said, I needed to be careful because that meant bad luck and accidents may happen. I thought the scratch was the bad luck. Luckily, it was a small accident, and I didn’t hurt myself or other people or hit another’s car. I am a guru in persuading and comforting myself!

Suppose my dream would tell me this accident would happen, but I still would come to the concert. Art is a magic thing: it can help people build new, beautiful scenes. As for me, a drawing, a photo, a song, a piece of rhythm, a video, or even the views outside of my car window can make me think about my beautiful time in my youth and imagine beautiful future scenes. No need to mention this was an over two-hour concert. The music, performance, lights, and setting together create a brand-new world for me. Engaged in it, I felt peaceful, harmonious, romantic, and warm. At least, in those two hours, I have temporally forgotten my struggles and unhappiness in real life. I have regained confidence in life and re-established my hope. 

This is published in the North Pine County News on April 3, 2024.