Yep. Yep. Been there! So many times. Thanks for sharing this story, Kelcey. Have you read Beth Pickens' "Asking" (from MAKE YOUR ART NO MATTER WHAT)? Reading that nudged me over the finish line for a recent grant app.
We were in the same(ish) boat the same weekend, as I recall! I have read that by Beth Pickens, but I should have re-read it in the moment. Though my brain wasn't exactly accepting logic at the time...
Thanks, Niki! It feels relatable after the fact, but in the middle of something like that, it's easy to feel like the only one who's ever experienced it. 😂
Oh Kelcey! I cried tears of joy and laughter and recognition while reading your five-step process. We artists share this journey of self-doubt and self-discovery! It’s the endemic disease of creativity. If you need another letter, I’m really good at those, having sent many friends on to the winner’s circle as a hype man. I’m naturally hypey, and I could work up a real enthusiasm for extolling your many virtues! Plus I’ve spent time in Belfast, so I know people who know people. Best of luck. As if you need luck! I just hope the application readers can see what a brilliant badass you are.
You are so right: the vicious cycle of self-doubt and self-discover...it's the disease of creativity! Thanks for the support, cheers, tears, and hype offers, my friend!
This is wonderful! Whether or not you get the scholarship, I’m so thankful for the story (I can relate). And I, too, love Jennie Nash. Your kids are lucky - to have the both of you.
What an inspiring story, Kelcey! Thank you for the great graphic presentation, and the profound truth that we have to believe in our work to get it out in the world. Also, really embodying the understanding that what looks horrible one day looks very different after a good night's sleep. I've been a freelance writer for three decades now, and you'd think after 13 published books and hundreds of magazine articles and essays, I would trust that knowledge. But no, I have to re-learn it every single bloody time!
Thank you, Susan! Isn't it wild? I've been awarded many grants and published multiple books too, and STILL managed to get lost in this process. Sigh...
Good luck! When I came to the part where you chose not to apply my heart sank. I'm so glad you found the way through to apply. Whatever result there will be no regrets. Phew!
Kelcey you got over the first hurdle...you submitted. I know what academic deadlines are like 🙄 My friend has been awarded a Fullbright Scholarship from Ireland to a University in New York for Spring semester 2026. She went through all the stress and agonizing processes as you did, believing she hadn't a chance. So, like your students you can dream big and be the CEO of your creative life. And I am hoping to visit my friend in NYC, I have never been there, an opportunity to fulfill my own dream. And Belfast will be a great city to spend extended time in. Fingers crossed 🤞 and Irish luck ☘️
How great for your friend! It doesn't help that Fulbright applications are notoriously complicated. As my department chair/letter writer said, "They probably make it so complicated as a way of weeding people out!" Thanks for cheering me on and sending Irish luck! ❤️
Yep. Yep. Been there! So many times. Thanks for sharing this story, Kelcey. Have you read Beth Pickens' "Asking" (from MAKE YOUR ART NO MATTER WHAT)? Reading that nudged me over the finish line for a recent grant app.
We were in the same(ish) boat the same weekend, as I recall! I have read that by Beth Pickens, but I should have re-read it in the moment. Though my brain wasn't exactly accepting logic at the time...
Dear Kelcey,
Congratulations!
I love this story, regardless of however it ends!
I'm glad it begins! Thank you for sharing!
Love
Myq
I feel like it has already ended! Whatever happens next will be a new beginning! :)
Thank you for sharing and illustrating this very relatable story. I love this so much!
Thanks, Niki! It feels relatable after the fact, but in the middle of something like that, it's easy to feel like the only one who's ever experienced it. 😂
good one - thx
Thanks, AMP!
Good luck!!! Think big and write big!!!
YES! Thanks, Jenna!
So glad you kept going!
I am older than you, & I quit so many times - I tell other creatives to keep going! keep going! partly as a reminder to myself, too
Indeed. I think it’s why I became a creativity coach!
Easier for us to say than do sometimes! Thanks, Jen!
SO relatable. Visualizing you walking the streets of Belfast with your ancestors (and the lucky rest of us reading the book this journey births).
Thank you for putting that image into the world! ❤️
Oh Kelcey! I cried tears of joy and laughter and recognition while reading your five-step process. We artists share this journey of self-doubt and self-discovery! It’s the endemic disease of creativity. If you need another letter, I’m really good at those, having sent many friends on to the winner’s circle as a hype man. I’m naturally hypey, and I could work up a real enthusiasm for extolling your many virtues! Plus I’ve spent time in Belfast, so I know people who know people. Best of luck. As if you need luck! I just hope the application readers can see what a brilliant badass you are.
Ha. And I managed to misspell “Kelcey” in my fan letter. Too enthusiastic I guess. Corrected now.
Lol, autocorrect hates me.
Uniqueness
You are so right: the vicious cycle of self-doubt and self-discover...it's the disease of creativity! Thanks for the support, cheers, tears, and hype offers, my friend!
This is sooo me! Thank you. And Jake is so Karl. 😊
Haha, thank goodness for Jake and Karl! ❤️😂
This is wonderful! Whether or not you get the scholarship, I’m so thankful for the story (I can relate). And I, too, love Jennie Nash. Your kids are lucky - to have the both of you.
Thanks so much, Amy! Isn't Jennie the best?
Wonderful, as usual. I'm guessing the proposal is wonderful and hope, hope, hope you get the grant.
Many thanks, Barb. I think it's got potential if I can ever figure it out!
What an inspiring story, Kelcey! Thank you for the great graphic presentation, and the profound truth that we have to believe in our work to get it out in the world. Also, really embodying the understanding that what looks horrible one day looks very different after a good night's sleep. I've been a freelance writer for three decades now, and you'd think after 13 published books and hundreds of magazine articles and essays, I would trust that knowledge. But no, I have to re-learn it every single bloody time!
Thank you, Susan! Isn't it wild? I've been awarded many grants and published multiple books too, and STILL managed to get lost in this process. Sigh...
Yes, but you found yourself again and submitted the Fulbright application. Fingers crossed for you!
Just barely! But I did. Thanks for the good wishes!
Good luck!
Thanks, Bob!
Good luck! When I came to the part where you chose not to apply my heart sank. I'm so glad you found the way through to apply. Whatever result there will be no regrets. Phew!
Aww, thanks for being invested in the story, Hilary! And you're exactly right: I would have regretted not at least TRYING.
Kelcey you got over the first hurdle...you submitted. I know what academic deadlines are like 🙄 My friend has been awarded a Fullbright Scholarship from Ireland to a University in New York for Spring semester 2026. She went through all the stress and agonizing processes as you did, believing she hadn't a chance. So, like your students you can dream big and be the CEO of your creative life. And I am hoping to visit my friend in NYC, I have never been there, an opportunity to fulfill my own dream. And Belfast will be a great city to spend extended time in. Fingers crossed 🤞 and Irish luck ☘️
How great for your friend! It doesn't help that Fulbright applications are notoriously complicated. As my department chair/letter writer said, "They probably make it so complicated as a way of weeding people out!" Thanks for cheering me on and sending Irish luck! ❤️
Yes thats often the strategy. A stamina test.
I already miss you. Because I know you will win. Because you are Kelcey E. And you are that good.
You have more confidence than I, my friend. But IF I end up there, you have a standing invitation to visit!