Stacee
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi Michael!I am doing research for a paper on the worth of an MFA in creative writing and would love your input, if you have time. Do you have an MFA yourself? If so, how do you feel that it helped you. Are there benefits to getting published after earning an MFA? If not, do you feel like you missed anything? How have you developed your writing?Any wise words for others considering a writing path? Thanks! ~Stacee
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Stacee,
I'm not sure how much help I can be...no, I don't have a MFA. In fact, I have no post-gradulate degree. Brandon Sanderson does, and he also teaches a college course on writing fantasy, so he may be a better person to ask.
For me, I'm 100% self-taught. I learned how to write by reading books and analyzing how they were structured and what the author did to elicit various emotions.
Do I feel I missed anything? Really hard to tell. In general, I'm not one who works well in "structured environments" especially when it comes to creative endeavors. I did have a scholarship to a prestigious Art school and I ended up dropping out because I felt the classes had the opposite effect on my creativity - stifling rather than liberating it.
In any case, I think this the value (or lack thereof) is going to be highly dependent on the person. For some, it will be great, for others, not so much. That probably doesn't help much, but that's the best I can offer.
I will say this. I won a contest that gave me a semester course in creative writing at George Washington University. It was my only post graduation course I was exposed to. The instructor was a famous literary author and she commented on several occasions that the reason I was as successful as I was could be attributed to my lack of formal education. She felt it kept my work untainted and fresh.
For me, writing is my favorite thing to do, so I don't suffer from any trepidation about "putting my butt in the seat." For others, it may be that a former education helps them to develop a discipline for writing. So, again, very personal and a case where YMMV.
If I were to impart my best "wise words" it would be find what works for you and then pursue that with all the gusto you can muster. That may mean going the route of a MFA, or it may mean just going it on your own the way I did. Either way. Make sure you are enjoying the process you've selected because often in writing there is little financial reward, so you better enjoy the journey as that is where the real satisfaction will come from.
Not sure if I helped or not. But that's the best I can do.
I'm not sure how much help I can be...no, I don't have a MFA. In fact, I have no post-gradulate degree. Brandon Sanderson does, and he also teaches a college course on writing fantasy, so he may be a better person to ask.
For me, I'm 100% self-taught. I learned how to write by reading books and analyzing how they were structured and what the author did to elicit various emotions.
Do I feel I missed anything? Really hard to tell. In general, I'm not one who works well in "structured environments" especially when it comes to creative endeavors. I did have a scholarship to a prestigious Art school and I ended up dropping out because I felt the classes had the opposite effect on my creativity - stifling rather than liberating it.
In any case, I think this the value (or lack thereof) is going to be highly dependent on the person. For some, it will be great, for others, not so much. That probably doesn't help much, but that's the best I can offer.
I will say this. I won a contest that gave me a semester course in creative writing at George Washington University. It was my only post graduation course I was exposed to. The instructor was a famous literary author and she commented on several occasions that the reason I was as successful as I was could be attributed to my lack of formal education. She felt it kept my work untainted and fresh.
For me, writing is my favorite thing to do, so I don't suffer from any trepidation about "putting my butt in the seat." For others, it may be that a former education helps them to develop a discipline for writing. So, again, very personal and a case where YMMV.
If I were to impart my best "wise words" it would be find what works for you and then pursue that with all the gusto you can muster. That may mean going the route of a MFA, or it may mean just going it on your own the way I did. Either way. Make sure you are enjoying the process you've selected because often in writing there is little financial reward, so you better enjoy the journey as that is where the real satisfaction will come from.
Not sure if I helped or not. But that's the best I can do.
More Answered Questions
Justin hight
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
I read on an earlier post that you actually don't mind tropes. Maybe because I'm a little newer to fantasy I found that I'm not sick of them yet. Do you think other authors are trying way too hard to be different ? And dark ? I should worry about just writing a great story ? Now I really want to try your books . I still like an old fashioned fantasy story .
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