Comments on: Rapping on the Teaching of Creative Writing http://storyinliteraryfiction.com/blog/2010/02/rapping-on-the-teaching-of-creative-writing/ Blog Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:30:18 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: William Coles http://storyinliteraryfiction.com/blog/2010/02/rapping-on-the-teaching-of-creative-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-1883 William Coles Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:22:47 +0000 http://storyinliteraryfiction.com/blog/?p=429#comment-1883 I must answer your question with care; I don't want you to fail to seize opportunities that might help you. But a few facts. 1. Many English majors take MFA programs to earn qualifications for teaching positions. There are now so many MFA programs that many English majors are not successful in obtaining spots, and they tend to clog the enlightenment of serious fiction writers who want to write great prose stories. 2. MFA programs take a lot of time and many programs have neither the resources or the quality of education that makes the time spent by a student valuable. However, the majority of MFA graduates express pride and worthiness of their degree; still, there is no way to know if their fiction writing improved or is even adequate. 4. Most MFA programs teach creative writing, including memoir, creative nonfiction, and poetry. How valuable this is for a fiction writer is very individual and difficult to assess. 5. Teachers of fiction in MFA programs vary widely in talent and ability to nurture students. There are many famous teachers who are very poor at what they do, and to be stuck with such a teacher can be a detriment. Almost all teachers in MFA programs teach classes and workshops outside the program. These courses can be a few days to a few weeks. It is a reasonable way to develop as a writer, that is, to take courses with as many good writers, good teachers, and good writer/teachers (which are rare) as possible. (If done well, this can be cost effective, since MFA tuitions seem to be going up.) This allows you to determine how they think about writing and avoids a burdensome MFA curriculum that may have questionable value with extraneous assignments. Simultaneously, isolating the great writers you enjoy, then meticulously discovering what about their writing and their story construction moves you may be the single most worthwhile undertaking of your career. And it is free, and enjoyable. It is a mystery why there are so many ways to learn to write fiction. Everyone differs in their attitudes (and competency). To find good teachers, word of mouth helps. I can recommend a few names of teachers I believe have skills, intelligence, and knowledge to help the student who wants to write great literary fiction. Lynn Freed, Tom Jenks, Jim Shepard, John Biguenet, Peter Ho Davies, Margo Livesy are among the best active teachers today. But ask friends. Read websites. Read samples of works. You are astute in seeking ways to maximize the quality of the time educating yourself and It seems to reflect a desire to write the best fiction you can. Truthfully, resources for fiction writers of value are scarce. Most MFA programs may not be worth your time, unless you want to make contacts with writers and publishers and enjoy nonfiction activities. And if you use longevity and fame as criteria for workshop choice, you may make mistakes. Some of the most prominent MFA programs can be the worst choices for dedicated fiction writers eager to learn imaginative story structure and prose with movement and meaning. All the best in your endeavors. Investigate, as you are, but in the long run you'll have to go with your gut feeling as to what is best for you. WHC I must answer your question with care; I don't want you to fail to seize opportunities that might help you. But a few facts. 1. Many English majors take MFA programs to earn qualifications for teaching positions. There are now so many MFA programs that many English majors are not successful in obtaining spots, and they tend to clog the enlightenment of serious fiction writers who want to write great prose stories. 2. MFA programs take a lot of time and many programs have neither the resources or the quality of education that makes the time spent by a student valuable. However, the majority of MFA graduates express pride and worthiness of their degree; still, there is no way to know if their fiction writing improved or is even adequate. 4. Most MFA programs teach creative writing, including memoir, creative nonfiction, and poetry. How valuable this is for a fiction writer is very individual and difficult to assess. 5. Teachers of fiction in MFA programs vary widely in talent and ability to nurture students. There are many famous teachers who are very poor at what they do, and to be stuck with such a teacher can be a detriment.

Almost all teachers in MFA programs teach classes and workshops outside the program. These courses can be a few days to a few weeks. It is a reasonable way to develop as a writer, that is, to take courses with as many good writers, good teachers, and good writer/teachers (which are rare) as possible. (If done well, this can be cost effective, since MFA tuitions seem to be going up.) This allows you to determine how they think about writing and avoids a burdensome MFA curriculum that may have questionable value with extraneous assignments. Simultaneously, isolating the great writers you enjoy, then meticulously discovering what about their writing and their story construction moves you may be the single most worthwhile undertaking of your career. And it is free, and enjoyable.

It is a mystery why there are so many ways to learn to write fiction. Everyone differs in their attitudes (and competency). To find good teachers, word of mouth helps. I can recommend a few names of teachers I believe have skills, intelligence, and knowledge to help the student who wants to write great literary fiction. Lynn Freed, Tom Jenks, Jim Shepard, John Biguenet, Peter Ho Davies, Margo Livesy are among the best active teachers today. But ask friends. Read websites. Read samples of works.

You are astute in seeking ways to maximize the quality of the time educating yourself and It seems to reflect a desire to write the best fiction you can. Truthfully, resources for fiction writers of value are scarce. Most MFA programs may not be worth your time, unless you want to make contacts with writers and publishers and enjoy nonfiction activities. And if you use longevity and fame as criteria for workshop choice, you may make mistakes. Some of the most prominent MFA programs can be the worst choices for dedicated fiction writers eager to learn imaginative story structure and prose with movement and meaning.

All the best in your endeavors. Investigate, as you are, but in the long run you'll have to go with your gut feeling as to what is best for you. WHC

]]> By: Marie http://storyinliteraryfiction.com/blog/2010/02/rapping-on-the-teaching-of-creative-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-1880 Marie Mon, 07 Jun 2010 22:25:30 +0000 http://storyinliteraryfiction.com/blog/?p=429#comment-1880 I read this and am concerned about the MFA program. Do you suggest that a writer, such as myself who is interested in writing Literary fiction not waste time at an MFA? or rather, should I be selective? How can I find the goon MFA program? I don't wish to waste time, but am a little curious how I will improve my writing. I read this and am concerned about the MFA program. Do you suggest that a writer, such as myself who is interested in writing Literary fiction not waste time at an MFA? or rather, should I be selective? How can I find the goon MFA program?
I don't wish to waste time, but am a little curious how I will improve my writing.

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