Hello and Welcome to Sitting in Silence, the newsletter about writing, craft, worry, and joy. It’s been a busy few weeks to say the least. I write tonight (it’s about 11pm) from the Randolph MFA residency in Virginia. One thing I love about teaching creative writing is how so many students come to it from a place of love. They grew up reading, which was perhaps unusual in their families. They probably kept a journal. They started writing little stories and someone along the way told them they were really good at it. And they loved it. They loved their children’s books and historical novels. The feeling of lying in a hammock or by a pool and entering someone else’s world. And then they got the bug to make their own worlds. But were they ready?
I love this. I’m also thinking about how MFA programs can be toxic places for people of color. But I want to I tread lightly as I’ve not attended an MFA program, but I have heard the horror stories from friends and students of mine.
Yes! This is a legitimate concern, Deesha. MFAs need to do a better job at providing an encouraging environment for black folks and people of color. Potential students should investigate the faculty and even talk to current and former students. 💐
My personal feeling, as a 1/3 MFA dropout, is I hesitate to encourage anyone to take on any debt, period. Let alone debt for an art degree. The system in place can leave people with said debt and the only jobs available being to go back and teach in an MFA program and perpetuate the cycle.
But I do agree that it can be a head start, and a guaranteed source of community.
Agreed. The debt burden is real and the job market is unfair. I recommend that people save and make a survival strategy. That said, many authors get good book deals that make it possible to cover their expenses and pay back debt. 💵
Mine was a Film MFA which is a steep challenge to break into for the average fellow. I'm not familiar with book deals or how often they come around but I assume it's much more than a movie studio throwing out money before a product wins a festival.
I was so lucky living in New Orleans to make literary friends, versus the journalism friends I have made my whole life. My literary friends enlightened and inspired me to think in a more expansive way. I was impressed by how they support each other. If you want to be part of that world, I think an MFA could be a ticket. But you should write, no matter what, and get guidance on the tools that will make your writing shine.
This post is right on time for me. I’ve decided to pursue an MFA for all of the reasons you listed—and also because I want to teach writing at the university level. Now, I’m wondering which institution is best for me. I would very much like to do an MFA abroad, but I’m interested in creative non-fiction and I live in Louisiana so I’d love any recs for programs
Natalie: Congratulations on deciding to pursue your destiny! There are so many factors to consider aren't there? Have the faculty written books that interest you? Do their students go on to success? For Louisiana, I'm biased because I teach at LSU where Josh Wheeler teaches non-fiction. I would say don't be afraid to reach out to faculty and students around the country for their advice.
Thanks so much for this. I got an MFA when I was in my late 40s and it was a wonderful experience for me for all of the reasons you said-I wanted dedicated time to write with a community also committed to their work under the guidance of experienced writers who I admired. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. And as a mother of two daughters, it was very special to get my degree with my daughters in attendance - especially as a Black woman. 🙏🏾
I'm thinking hard about applying to the UNO MFA in retirement. I don't see any graduate school limits on Louisiana free tuition for over 55s. I would do this largely because I disconnected from the NOLA poetry community about seven years ago, but have started writing again. I'm looking for community and mentorship simply to make myself a better poet, because I believe I have the chops to get much better. Got a few things in Ellipsis on top of what I published 10-14 years ago, and now aiming higher. I just wonder if I'll be as up to the general grind of regular courses as I was 10 years ago when I went back to finish my B.A. abandoned in 1980. Or if I can try to build my own circle (although I think it would need an senior leader)
There's definitely been a historical opposition to genre work in the programs, Jaq. A lot of places required "literary" writing. I've noticed however that the programs I work in don't seem to have any particular bias. I've read quite a few ghost stories, dystopian pieces, even a western! 💌
That’s awesome! When I was in program I went out and bought one of my professors a copy of The Watchmen and he approved a graphic novel as a thesis project. But overall, it was an uphill battle.
I love this. I’m also thinking about how MFA programs can be toxic places for people of color. But I want to I tread lightly as I’ve not attended an MFA program, but I have heard the horror stories from friends and students of mine.
Yes! This is a legitimate concern, Deesha. MFAs need to do a better job at providing an encouraging environment for black folks and people of color. Potential students should investigate the faculty and even talk to current and former students. 💐
My personal feeling, as a 1/3 MFA dropout, is I hesitate to encourage anyone to take on any debt, period. Let alone debt for an art degree. The system in place can leave people with said debt and the only jobs available being to go back and teach in an MFA program and perpetuate the cycle.
But I do agree that it can be a head start, and a guaranteed source of community.
Agreed. The debt burden is real and the job market is unfair. I recommend that people save and make a survival strategy. That said, many authors get good book deals that make it possible to cover their expenses and pay back debt. 💵
Mine was a Film MFA which is a steep challenge to break into for the average fellow. I'm not familiar with book deals or how often they come around but I assume it's much more than a movie studio throwing out money before a product wins a festival.
I was so lucky living in New Orleans to make literary friends, versus the journalism friends I have made my whole life. My literary friends enlightened and inspired me to think in a more expansive way. I was impressed by how they support each other. If you want to be part of that world, I think an MFA could be a ticket. But you should write, no matter what, and get guidance on the tools that will make your writing shine.
Well said, Michelin! ✨️
This post is right on time for me. I’ve decided to pursue an MFA for all of the reasons you listed—and also because I want to teach writing at the university level. Now, I’m wondering which institution is best for me. I would very much like to do an MFA abroad, but I’m interested in creative non-fiction and I live in Louisiana so I’d love any recs for programs
Natalie: Congratulations on deciding to pursue your destiny! There are so many factors to consider aren't there? Have the faculty written books that interest you? Do their students go on to success? For Louisiana, I'm biased because I teach at LSU where Josh Wheeler teaches non-fiction. I would say don't be afraid to reach out to faculty and students around the country for their advice.
Thank you!
Thanks so much for this. I got an MFA when I was in my late 40s and it was a wonderful experience for me for all of the reasons you said-I wanted dedicated time to write with a community also committed to their work under the guidance of experienced writers who I admired. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. And as a mother of two daughters, it was very special to get my degree with my daughters in attendance - especially as a Black woman. 🙏🏾
You're welcome, Dionne! What a blessing to have your daughters with you.
I'm thinking hard about applying to the UNO MFA in retirement. I don't see any graduate school limits on Louisiana free tuition for over 55s. I would do this largely because I disconnected from the NOLA poetry community about seven years ago, but have started writing again. I'm looking for community and mentorship simply to make myself a better poet, because I believe I have the chops to get much better. Got a few things in Ellipsis on top of what I published 10-14 years ago, and now aiming higher. I just wonder if I'll be as up to the general grind of regular courses as I was 10 years ago when I went back to finish my B.A. abandoned in 1980. Or if I can try to build my own circle (although I think it would need an senior leader)
Mark Folse
www.wellbottomblues.com
Mark, I think there's only one way to find out. ✍️🏾
As an MFA myself, this is all true unless you want to write genre fiction.
There's definitely been a historical opposition to genre work in the programs, Jaq. A lot of places required "literary" writing. I've noticed however that the programs I work in don't seem to have any particular bias. I've read quite a few ghost stories, dystopian pieces, even a western! 💌
That’s awesome! When I was in program I went out and bought one of my professors a copy of The Watchmen and he approved a graphic novel as a thesis project. But overall, it was an uphill battle.