Kumquattel

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this questions, since I'm new and I'm still just learning. My questions is about MFA programs. Are they beneficial in the writing world? Do they live up to their expectations? I'm considering an MFA having just completed a BA in English/Writing. I would like any advice about MFA programs anyone can offer. Thanks.

Sam Winchester

First, just a little piece of advice: for those of us who don't know that an MFA is a Masters in Fine Art, humour us and leave the abbrievation out.

Second, are you talking about taking an MFA in Creative Writing? I recently began taking classes for A-Level English. I'm doing quite well. Still, it hasn't done anything for my writing. It doesn't teach me how to be a writer. Creative Writing classes may do this, but are they worth investing both your money and your time in? That's entirely your prerogative, but if it was me, I would say no. Still, some successful authors, such as Michael Chabon, Ian McEwan, and Rose Tremaine have all graduated from university with a MFA in Creative Writing.

Sam.

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Kumquattel

That's sort of what I was thinking. A lot of money just to do what you would be doing anyway. But there is the appeal of doing intensive writing and having it critiqued by published authors on a regular basis. I work better under pressure and this would certainly be pressure. I thrive in the academic environment. In the end, though, writing is a pretty solitary endeavor, isn't it?

Sam Winchester

There's always pros and cons, Kum. If you have the money and the time, I don't see that it would do any harm. If you think it will benefit you, who am I to say it won't? A few years ago, I contacted a creative writing company about taking a course with them. At the time, I'd only begun writing, and I thought it would help me become better. In the end, I didn't take the class, simply because I couldn't afford it. Their asking prices were ridiculous - just to teach creative writing! No thanks. That's just my views on it. I'm sure there are people on here who could testify to it being the best thing in the world. In the end, it's personal preference. If you want to do it, by all means do so, but make sure you know everything you need to before handing your money over.

Sam.

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Don't unlock doors you're not prepared to go through.

SilkFX

While I am convinced that, in general, you don't NEED an MFA to be a better writer, I recently got one and am glad I took the time to do so because I think it made ME a better writer. It probably saved me years of additional struggle by bringing my writing up in a way that simply going it alone (and going to informal workshops that weren't adequate for my needs) wouldn't have done.

I find it interesting that so many people are coming to the MFA straight out of undergrad. An MFA by itself does very little to improve your earnings potential or your publication record. All it does, really, is buy you time to spend getting better at your writing. And this assumes that you're in a supportive program with supportive faculty and classmates AND you're getting enough funding so that you're not stressing out (DO NOT go into debt for an MFA, whatever you do).

Personally I think people should spend a few years living and writing before deciding to dive back into the ivory tower -- it's not like an MFA is an MBA or a JD. But that's me...lots of others disagree.

I strongly recommend you check out the Poets and Writers Speakeasy for more information on MFA programs and the people who go to them.

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you can't you can never be sure
you die without knowing
whether anything you wrote was any good
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