Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA
Bio
Writer, bookworm, sci-fi space cadet, and coffee+tea fanatic living in Brooklyn. I have an MS in Integrated Design & Media and an MFA in Fiction from NYU. I share poetry on Instagram as @SleeplessAuthoress.
Achievements (7)
Stories (166)
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It’s Okay to Explore in Your Career
"Find out what you like doing best, and get someone to pay you for doing it." — Katharine Whitehorn When you’re in college, it’s pretty common to change your major, especially in your first year or two. Almost 1/3 of all first-time college students change their major at least once within three years, according to a report from the US Education Department’s National Center for Education Statistics.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Journal
What Failure Taught Me About Patience
“Success is most often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable.” — Coco Chanel A lot of things have been said about failure and patience. "Change doesn’t happen overnight," "Rome was built in a day," and so on — are you sick to death of these platitudes when you’re running at a sprint to achieve your goals?
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Writers
How to Fight Writer's Block with Science
“Don’t waste time waiting for inspiration. Begin, and inspiration will find you.” ― H. Jackson Brown Jr. For us writers, there’s often an expectation that since we always have something to do. I can’t call it a stereotype because it’s largely true. If your other priorities in life are temporarily settled like a rare particularly low tide, there’s always some kind of writing that you could be doing.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Journal
The 3 Types of People Living Near the Beach
Beaches are all different — there are quiet, residential beaches, then there are boisterous boardwalks. But what about the locals? Coastal areas can vary wildly in geography and level of development. You’ll have pleasant, sleepy beaches in primarily residential beach towns, then you’ll have boisterous boardwalks with rides and funnel cake.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Wander
What’s it Like Reading 5 Books a Month?
After I graduated with my BA in Literature, I committed a literary travesty that lasted for several years. I barely read anything. Life was keeping me busy, but still, I’m always looking for different ways to read more. It’s completely possible to have a busy life and still read a lot, but I just wasn’t allocating my time that way.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in BookClub
How I'm Reaching My Health Goals This Year. Top Story - February 2021.
In 2018, I was at my personal rock bottom. I wasn't completely happy with the job I was working, the city I was living in. I was living in a tiny studio apartment with paper-thin walls. I tried to apply to graduate programs for the second time but failed. My target universities rejected me and my safety schools didn't offer enough aid for me to say yes.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Longevity
How to Stay Balanced Pursuing Annual Goals
"It's not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy about?" —Henry David Thoreau As months go by, it's hard not to feel like you're behind. Months slip away, calendar years come to an end. If you have goals you're working toward, time passing tends to beg the same question.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Writers
Sarah J. Maas’ “Throne of Glass” Rekindled My Love of YA
After seeing and hearing it recommended a thousand times, I picked up Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. I’ve seen these books prominently highlighted in book stores each time there was a new release, but I was a stubborn soul. I tend to like sci-fi better than fantasy and I tend to lean toward adult fiction over YA.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in BookClub
It’s Okay to Walk a Beaten Path Sometimes
When you step out of the classroom, you want to have a story that is strictly your own. However, walking the beaten trail can be okay. When you’re fresh out of college and finding your place in the world, the desire to do something unique is strong. It’s particularly strong if you’re a creative person like me, always eager to make your individual voice heard.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Journal
