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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Rediscovering the Magic from Your Childhood Favorites
We all know how hard it is to still enjoy the stories we loved as children. I had a literature professor back when I was an undergrad who delighted in ruining everyone's favorite fairy tales by telling us how they were originally written. Time has a sticky way of changing the way we see and experience media.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Humans
When No One Will Support You, Support Yourself
When you have a serious goal, it lives inside your mind. It’s a burning desire that doesn’t go away. Even when a bout of demoralization or simple uncreativity strikes, you still have that goal burning. It’s smoldering, perhaps not burning strong, but it’s still there.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Humans
10 Ways to Survive Apartment Hunting. Top Story - January 2021.
One of the most daunting parts of life is finding places to live. We’re looking pretty low on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs here. We all need food and shelter, after all. And that's why you need an apartment hunting survival guide.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Journal
My Strained Relationship with Being a Morning Person. Top Story - January 2021.
I have an interesting relationship with being a morning person. Some people will tell you that echoing the habits of a CEO and being a morning person will instantly make your life more satisfying.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Longevity
Better for a Queen Than a Wine Bottle
My grandmother can do it all. She knits, she crochets, she even makes unbelievably complicated amigurumi. She's been making scarves, hats, and gloves for everyone in the family going back as far as I can remember.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Petlife
6 Reasons to Take Creative Writing Classes
“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” —Richard Bach Out of all the courses I took while working on my BA, my creative writing classes were my absolute favorites. I felt like I benefited so much from writing workshops, I took several non-credit workshops at Johns Hopkins University, since I didn’t want to feel like I was stagnating.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Education
Spontaneity Should Never Be Abandoned
Spontaneity can take many forms. It can be deciding to stop at that restaurant you’ve never been to before but pass every day on the way home, it can be deciding to try a new recipe on a weeknight, or it can be buying those discount airline tickets off of SlickDeals.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Wander
How to Use Meditation to Improve Your Writing
Writing and meditating are very different activities, but how can one help the other? If you’re having trouble meditating, here are a few ideas on how you can use that time to fuel your craft. I think we should all be pushing to start doing true meditation, but if you’re having trouble fully emptying your mind, relaxing and thinking about your creative projects spurs some fantastic ideas.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Writers
Have You Ever Wondered if Job Interviews Make Sense?
The nature of hiring is insanely difficult. Whether you’re fresh out of college or have a few years of experience under your belt, finding a job you like with people you like is no easy task. And frankly, even the most thorough interview is only giving you a glance through a peephole at the door you’re about to open.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Journal
This Is Why I Practice Yoga
If you work in an office, there’s probably one thing you have too much of. Stress. And another thing you don’t do enough of might just be exercise. My interest in yoga came to fruition because it seemed to promise a partial solution to both of those problems. Here’s why I pay for a yoga membership; it’s expensive, but I love it. I was a chronic gym-hated, but yoga has helped me get routine exercise.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Longevity
4 Reasons Your Favorite Literary Journal Shut Down
If you frequently read literary journals, you probably have a few favorites. Whether it’s because you really like the literature they curate or because you have a soft spot for them for choosing your work for publication, it’s only natural to have a few favorites.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFA5 years ago in Journal
