by Beth Barany · Published · Updated
Don’t get an MFA.
Just write.
All an MFA does is prove to yourself that you are committed to your writing. That’s the ultimate experience you want, right?
You don’t need an MFA, all those expenses for that.
Just write.
And take a class at the local college. or hire a writing coach. Or read a book, or many books. Or do NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Or join a critique group.
Tags: book writingMFAwriting
by Beth Barany · Published August 26, 2015 · Last modified September 25, 2015
by Guest Contributor · Published April 23, 2024 · Last modified April 18, 2024
by Beth Barany · Published October 14, 2024
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Just to be clear: I don’t have an MFA, I have a MS in computer science and
dropped out of getting my PhD. I have a day job (computer software
engineer), have written a book that will be published in two years, and
am working on a second, among other projects. So I can attest to the fact
that it’s far from necessary to get an MFA in order to write.
And what have I done? Taken classes and workshops, online and in person,
worked with a coach, joined several critique groups, worked with a writing
buddy. All of which work.
Still, the idea of an MFA intrigues me — or if not the degree, certainly the
masters level writing classes. And why? Not because I want to teach
at the university level, an entirely, IMO, valid reason for going for the degree,
but just plain because I think it would be a blast.
It’s not going to happen any time soon, but it is on my long list of things to do
someday.
And getting myself writing is usually not a problem — getting the housework
done before I sit down to write is.
Margaret, LOL about the housework. You could always do the housework as a reward for having written! Yes, you’ve done all the tings available to a writer to improve craft and understand the biz. RE: another reason to get an MFA — networking with those in the know. For example, I am actually thinking of getting an MFA in Young Adult literature. So I can learn from some of the best. I don’t need the MFA to confirm my abilities, though I can always improve as a writer.
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