Thoughts on moving to a distance MFA when you have some momentum going, but need community and structure? Thoughts on finding that community in other ways?
What a thoughtful response to an ever-present question in the writing world. Thank you for your insight and balanced treatment. I 100% agree that teaching and podcasting about writing are excellent ways to scratch the nerdy craft-talk itch. As for the rest, I always ask myself what the actual goal is of doing something to see if it matches. If I signed up to do an MFA because I wanted a community that connected around writing and to have meaningful conversations with writers I admire, I would have missed out on being able to do that without the degree. But if the goal really did match and the degree was the beat way to achieve it, why not?
You are indeed the master of creating your own community through podcasting and teaching. :) Can I plug the Secret Library Podcast here? https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com
Really enjoyed your insights here, and of course your humor. Having just completed a low-res MFA, I agree w/ everything here, including Salesses' book being terrific. I enrolled to work with a specific teacher who I'd experienced the year before at an Orion Environmental Writing Workshop. That week was so incredible that, of the 8 of us in the group, 4 of us ended up in that same MFA program (entering at different times). I also wanted the intense mentorship, accountability, focus, craft lessons, and committed cohort of an MFA program, rather than a credential. Because residencies were online during the pandemic, workshop groups were smaller. Everyone was given specific guidelines on giving constructive feedback, which really helped. As a low-key program, it didn't seem to attract That MFA Guy types, but everything about it was top-notch.
Sonal, thank you for sharing this detailed and insightful response to the question, Should I enroll in an MFA? I have an MFA but always find this question difficult because so much depends on the individual and the program. Your articulate response defuzzes the issue. Do you mind if I share it with someone who asked me this question recently?
Dear Wondering about MFAs...I have had this battle with myself over and over about MFA and the community that comes with it. You cannot chose your cohort in an MFA or workshops or classes. Luck of the draw. I am also looking for a tight knit group to nerd out over stories and craft. I lean more toward short pieces rather than novels however. I have made relationships with people in classes but most of them have been short lived. Maybe we can connect and try a small group! I am willing if you are!
Sonal...you are so right about some brilliant writers being terrible instructors. As a licensed teacher I can be a bit more analytical about the teacher's methods too.
It's a good thing to ask around about.... whose classes to take?
I still think the MFA has a lot of value, but it helps to know yourself as a writer, and also know how to find value even amid a less than amazing cohort. (Some of my MFA friendships have started though messaging each other to complain about That Guy In Your MFA.)
What a thoughtful response to an ever-present question in the writing world. Thank you for your insight and balanced treatment. I 100% agree that teaching and podcasting about writing are excellent ways to scratch the nerdy craft-talk itch. As for the rest, I always ask myself what the actual goal is of doing something to see if it matches. If I signed up to do an MFA because I wanted a community that connected around writing and to have meaningful conversations with writers I admire, I would have missed out on being able to do that without the degree. But if the goal really did match and the degree was the beat way to achieve it, why not?
You are indeed the master of creating your own community through podcasting and teaching. :) Can I plug the Secret Library Podcast here? https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com
💗💗💗 My love, you can plug it anywhere you like. I’ve plugged this post and your substack to all my students, too. Love fest!
Really enjoyed your insights here, and of course your humor. Having just completed a low-res MFA, I agree w/ everything here, including Salesses' book being terrific. I enrolled to work with a specific teacher who I'd experienced the year before at an Orion Environmental Writing Workshop. That week was so incredible that, of the 8 of us in the group, 4 of us ended up in that same MFA program (entering at different times). I also wanted the intense mentorship, accountability, focus, craft lessons, and committed cohort of an MFA program, rather than a credential. Because residencies were online during the pandemic, workshop groups were smaller. Everyone was given specific guidelines on giving constructive feedback, which really helped. As a low-key program, it didn't seem to attract That MFA Guy types, but everything about it was top-notch.
Sonal, thank you for sharing this detailed and insightful response to the question, Should I enroll in an MFA? I have an MFA but always find this question difficult because so much depends on the individual and the program. Your articulate response defuzzes the issue. Do you mind if I share it with someone who asked me this question recently?
Please do!
Dear Wondering about MFAs...I have had this battle with myself over and over about MFA and the community that comes with it. You cannot chose your cohort in an MFA or workshops or classes. Luck of the draw. I am also looking for a tight knit group to nerd out over stories and craft. I lean more toward short pieces rather than novels however. I have made relationships with people in classes but most of them have been short lived. Maybe we can connect and try a small group! I am willing if you are!
Sonal...you are so right about some brilliant writers being terrible instructors. As a licensed teacher I can be a bit more analytical about the teacher's methods too.
It's a good thing to ask around about.... whose classes to take?
I still think the MFA has a lot of value, but it helps to know yourself as a writer, and also know how to find value even amid a less than amazing cohort. (Some of my MFA friendships have started though messaging each other to complain about That Guy In Your MFA.)