All great points. I think one critique that is worth mentioning is that a lot of writers of color do not feel welcome in these spaces, and that's a problem that the MFA world is not addressing enough.
It's no different from academia more broadly and the publishing world in its failings, but that's not an excuse.
Yes! 100% agreed. I'll get into that a little bit in part 2, that there are definitely a lot of writers out there trying to change how workshops are run and administered to counteract those exact issues. It's also a problem in publishing as a whole, and it's become a real chicken/egg problem. I'm not the best person to discuss POCs experiences in MFA programs, but I'd feel remiss without mentioning it. Just because I had a good experience (and I generally did) doesn't mean that's the norm for everyone.
Sounds like an MFA is what you make of it. I’ve looked at low residency programs in Texas and haven’t been impressed enough to enroll. Thanks for giving us your experience.
Yes! Like many degrees, but there are a lot of uses for them that I think get overlooked in the media and general culture. I'll get into it a bit more in part 2, but many of my classmates were there not because they wanted to develop a career as a writer (necessarily) but wanted the time and space to finish working on a specific project they had in mind.
I feel so invested in this piece because I was in your brainstorming thread last week! Love the title you landed on and the information is fantastic! For me, you had me at ‘terminal.’ I always thought I’d get my Ph.D. because I’ve dreamed of teaching at a university, but over the years my passion has moved further from education (my Masters is in Educational Administration) and much closer to writing, so I thought my degree days were behind me. Now you have me thinking that maybe I just need to look in a different direction. Thank you for the inspiration! I’ll look forward to your next piece!
I'm so happy to hear that! I'll get into it a bit more in part 2, but I didn't even realize MFAs were terminal degrees when I was applying and deciding to go. It was the cherry on top once I realized that.
And if you're interested, there are MFA programs that can work within your existing life (clearly trying to sell the low residency programs here lol) but yeah it doesn't have to be as invested as it's made out to be. It's obviously work, I won't wave that away, but given your interest in teaching at a college level, it sounds like it could really be beneficial for you! Happy to answer any questions if you have them.
As someone who wouldn't have met you outside of the program we were in together I am a bit bias 🤣 but getting my MFA also made me realize that there was more than just "those who cannot do, teach" our mentors had so many different view points, perspectives, and venues for income/work that it opened my eyes. We also had a mentor that wrote in the margins of his working life while he supported himself. I believe we had several of those actually. Required for life, absolutely not. Would I trade my degree in for anything (other than fame and fortune), nah 🤣
Yes!!! Absolutely. And they all did so many different things with their degrees - it wasn't just one set path. I think that MFAs get so bogged down by the general perception of them that it's hard to see the forest for the trees. May the MFA bring that fame and fortune 😁
All great points. I think one critique that is worth mentioning is that a lot of writers of color do not feel welcome in these spaces, and that's a problem that the MFA world is not addressing enough.
It's no different from academia more broadly and the publishing world in its failings, but that's not an excuse.
Yes! 100% agreed. I'll get into that a little bit in part 2, that there are definitely a lot of writers out there trying to change how workshops are run and administered to counteract those exact issues. It's also a problem in publishing as a whole, and it's become a real chicken/egg problem. I'm not the best person to discuss POCs experiences in MFA programs, but I'd feel remiss without mentioning it. Just because I had a good experience (and I generally did) doesn't mean that's the norm for everyone.
Sounds like an MFA is what you make of it. I’ve looked at low residency programs in Texas and haven’t been impressed enough to enroll. Thanks for giving us your experience.
Yes! Like many degrees, but there are a lot of uses for them that I think get overlooked in the media and general culture. I'll get into it a bit more in part 2, but many of my classmates were there not because they wanted to develop a career as a writer (necessarily) but wanted the time and space to finish working on a specific project they had in mind.
Sorry about the duplicate comment. Software glitch.
No worries at all! Technology is fun, isn't it?
I feel so invested in this piece because I was in your brainstorming thread last week! Love the title you landed on and the information is fantastic! For me, you had me at ‘terminal.’ I always thought I’d get my Ph.D. because I’ve dreamed of teaching at a university, but over the years my passion has moved further from education (my Masters is in Educational Administration) and much closer to writing, so I thought my degree days were behind me. Now you have me thinking that maybe I just need to look in a different direction. Thank you for the inspiration! I’ll look forward to your next piece!
I'm so happy to hear that! I'll get into it a bit more in part 2, but I didn't even realize MFAs were terminal degrees when I was applying and deciding to go. It was the cherry on top once I realized that.
And if you're interested, there are MFA programs that can work within your existing life (clearly trying to sell the low residency programs here lol) but yeah it doesn't have to be as invested as it's made out to be. It's obviously work, I won't wave that away, but given your interest in teaching at a college level, it sounds like it could really be beneficial for you! Happy to answer any questions if you have them.
As someone who wouldn't have met you outside of the program we were in together I am a bit bias 🤣 but getting my MFA also made me realize that there was more than just "those who cannot do, teach" our mentors had so many different view points, perspectives, and venues for income/work that it opened my eyes. We also had a mentor that wrote in the margins of his working life while he supported himself. I believe we had several of those actually. Required for life, absolutely not. Would I trade my degree in for anything (other than fame and fortune), nah 🤣
Yes!!! Absolutely. And they all did so many different things with their degrees - it wasn't just one set path. I think that MFAs get so bogged down by the general perception of them that it's hard to see the forest for the trees. May the MFA bring that fame and fortune 😁