Technique

Yea or nay for an MFA?

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Tomorrow we’ll pick up with our series on clues in non-mysteries!

We’ve talked before about getting an MFA. I’d love to get a grad degree, and I’d love to improve my writing. But in the end, I’m not sure an MFA program is the best choice for me, or for many writers.

And I’m not the only one who feels that way. Gabi Pereira of DIY MFA fame holds a real MFA. She’s grateful for the experience, she’s glad she did it, and she’d do it again, but if you ask her flat out whether she recommends an MFA, the answer is no.

As she actually told an interested MFA student:

“Seriously, if your only goal is to get published: go home, sit yourself at your workspace and write the book. If you think getting an MFA will help motivate you or improve your writing, then it sounds like a good fit for you. But if all you want is a ‘get-published’ card, then just go home and write the book.”

Among other points she makes in a whole series (several of which we mentioned when we talked about it last):

  • An MFA is most likely not the only way to get where you want to be in writing (unless that’s teaching).
  • It’s dang expensive!
  • It’s not the best path to publication.
  • Putting your life on hold to study writing isn’t realistic—learning to make writing part of our day-to-day lives is
  • Non-literary fiction is often discriminated against.

To be sure, there are a lot of positives to an MFA as well:

  • Writing is a priority
  • Reading is a priority
  • You can survive harsh critiques
  • How to work within the writing community

That said, I haven’t totally given up hope. I just have to find a program that is local or low-res, well-funded, into genre fiction… that’ll happen, right?

What do you think? Is an MFA for you?

Photo by Joshua Nixon

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One thought on “Yea or nay for an MFA?”

  1. I’ve always wanted one, too. I agree that non-literary fiction can be discriminated against. I agree there are positives, but the cost has gotten too high. Best to just write and work with critique groups. Writers might learn even faster that way. And, being out of school might mean having money for conferences, pitch sessions, etc. On the other hand, for a wealthy, young, single writer with few responsibilities, I’d say…DO IT! : )

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