Comments on: To MFA or Not to MFA?

By: Randomness » Have Words Will Travel

Randomness » Have Words Will Travel — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:34:51 +0000

[...] That turned out to be a pretty interesting discussion in the comments on the MFA post. You should go read them if you haven’t already. And how nice to get some fresh [...]

By: Kelly Davio

Kelly Davio — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:23:32 +0000

>>The criticisms seem really to be a skepticism over what actually makes a student’s writing better: the teaching aspect of the program, or the fact of the student taking their writing “seriously” (as the main focus of their daily life, not something they “find time” to do)>>

I’m always flummoxed by this question. Could a classical dancer simply improve his technique by dancing alone–very seriously–in his kitchen, or would he require the instruction of a teacher to achieve professional quality? Clearly, any artist must start with some level of talent, but without instruction, no one–dancer, painter, sculptor or, yes, *writer*–is likely to improve a great deal. Teachers show us what we can’t intuitively grasp ourselves, and direct us to materials and resources we don’t come across on our own.

By: grant

grant — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:30:55 +0000

I think while there may be a controversy over MFAs specifically, it’s probably part of a larger feeling about Master’s degrees in general – they’ve become sort of neither here nor there degrees, graduate qualifications that aren’t, you know, really professional like a proper Ph.D.

About the same time I got an MA in English (which has been, as a certification, not terribly useful), my father’s secretary got an MA in Secretarial Science. She teaches high school now, with a smidge higher salary than she would without it. I wonder what her course of study was like.

From an academic perspective (or, well, business-of-academia perspective), MFAs at least are considered *terminal* degrees, which means that a holder is qualified for a full professorship… as opposed to those of us who are qualified only to be adjuncts in order to supplement our writing gigs.

By: Jessie Carty

Jessie Carty — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:52:09 +0000

It is still funny to me how controversial the MFA degree is. I wouldn’t trade having gotten one though. I think when I decided to go back it was to say – I love to write and this show a commitment to wanting to learn and really live a writing life.

Great post!

By: Daniel E. Pritchard

Daniel E. Pritchard — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:43:15 +0000

It is odd that MFA’s remain controversial — they’re so well established now. I’ve always heard that they are great for networking and contacts.

The criticisms seem really to be a skepticism over what actually makes a student’s writing better: the teaching aspect of the program, or the fact of the student taking their writing “seriously” (as the main focus of their daily life, not something they “find time” to do)? The ability to teach verse as a craft does come down to whether one believes “anyone” can be a good poet or whether it takes something innate or “special”.

I’m hung on the question — or, really I’m a skeptic by nature. A mediocre writer can’t be made that much better; or, can they? Who can say for sure. That being said, I have had some really negative experiences with the people of such programs, which has totally put me off the idea of applying.

By: Amanda Kendle

Amanda Kendle — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 02:03:04 +0000

Thanks for the food for thought, Laurie, I’m constantly tossing up whether to study again or not. I’ve often thought that it would help me feel more legitimate as a writer plus improve my writing, but hadn’t really given much thought to the contacts and networks I’d make – something else to put on the pro side of the list.

By: Tanya Chernov

Tanya Chernov — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 22:44:27 +0000

L–I am so glad that you made the leap. Our little snark salon just wouldn’t be the same without you! We are all lucky to have found each other in the process of furthering our literary educations. We’re a blessed bunch of nerds.

By: maia

maia — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:46:47 +0000

Yeah, for me, it was allllll about the connections. And not just the faculty, but the other students I met while I was there. And it’s also buying time, in a way – concentrated time where you HAVE to write – which is priceless for someone who might have the talent but needs to learn discipline.

By: laurie

laurie — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:52:49 +0000

Joy, you do make an excellent point about affordability, although like any college program, most MFAs have financial aid. Of course, nobody goes into writing to make money. It just isn’t there. It amazes me that so many writers DO manage to figure out a way to pay for their degrees! As for your point about an MFA not being entirely necessary for a successful literary career, you are absolutely right. But it helps tremendously. I know I would not have been able to make a successful career for myself in the literary world without it. Yes, a certain type of very talented and motivated person could do it, but boy am I not that person! Heh. (It’s good to know one’s limitations, I suppose…)

Have a great New Year, Joy, and I hope 2010 brings you much literary success.

By: Joy Gaines-Friedler

Joy Gaines-Friedler — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:37:52 +0000

Hey MFA-er and online Addonizio workshop sista – I have a big congratulations for you on EARNING that MFA. I would say that one might not need the degree to get to the same literary place as one who has the degree – there are many paths to literary success. But, those who have earned their letters should be celebrated, credited, and above all respected. Hard work should never be negated. That being said, MFA’s do not come cheaply and not everyone who would like one can afford it. In fact, these days with universities hiring adjunct, rather than full-time faculty, the “return” on the investment in a MFA for a student of a certain age – that is, an “older” student, who would like to use the degree to teach – is not good. However, the investment in the knowledge, the opportunity to work with amazing poets, and, yes, the connections one makes is invaluable. Workshops are another way to get to work with poets – but they are also not cheap and they are not as intensive. There are many reasons to get this degree. But, it isn’t entirely necessary for a successful literary career.