On not getting into Clarion
There's a great post over here if you applied to Clarion and just found out you didn't get in. It's worth a read.
I will also suggest you do a couple positive things. You can start doing some of them right now. Or add them to your action plan.
* Join Critters, or another online critique group, or an in-person critique group. If you're not already in one. Or if your current one isn't working out. That's one of the reasons you applied to Clarion, right?
* Plan a trip to a convention. If you've never gone to one, or it's been awhile, or if you've only gone to Creation Conventions, then.. you need to go! Part of Clarion is about meeting fellow sf/f writers. If you go to cons, you'll do the same thing! I highly recommend Wiscon, as you may have noticed. Also recommended through the grapevine: Philcon, Readercon, World Fantasy Con, FOGCon. And whatever cons are local to you. They're cheaper, and you'll get to know people you can meet up with more often.
* Join Broad Universe (more useful if you're a woman) and/or Outer Alliance (for lgbtqia and allies). Another of those connections things. You'll hear about publication opportunities and conventions, and be able to discuss things sf/f and writerly. Or find another group that suits you.
And plan to apply next year. You and your writing will be in a different place next year. And the group of instructors will be entirely different.
I will also suggest you do a couple positive things. You can start doing some of them right now. Or add them to your action plan.
* Join Critters, or another online critique group, or an in-person critique group. If you're not already in one. Or if your current one isn't working out. That's one of the reasons you applied to Clarion, right?
* Plan a trip to a convention. If you've never gone to one, or it's been awhile, or if you've only gone to Creation Conventions, then.. you need to go! Part of Clarion is about meeting fellow sf/f writers. If you go to cons, you'll do the same thing! I highly recommend Wiscon, as you may have noticed. Also recommended through the grapevine: Philcon, Readercon, World Fantasy Con, FOGCon. And whatever cons are local to you. They're cheaper, and you'll get to know people you can meet up with more often.
* Join Broad Universe (more useful if you're a woman) and/or Outer Alliance (for lgbtqia and allies). Another of those connections things. You'll hear about publication opportunities and conventions, and be able to discuss things sf/f and writerly. Or find another group that suits you.
And plan to apply next year. You and your writing will be in a different place next year. And the group of instructors will be entirely different.