For me, writing class gets more fun as I learn why I love so much the things which I choose to read.

Often when I when I read, I felt like a country boy looking at abstract art. Ive Since aquired a taste that I cant imagine why anyone would not enjoy. Then I remember, it is in writing classes where I studied how to not only write well, but also discern and be able to savour a good text.

Also, I cant say that having Angela as a writing teacher doesnt contribute to a fun writing class…

The real reason I popped in for one more post wasn’t to out myself on my adverbs, but instead to say that can also learn a lot from a good writing text. John Gardner’s “The Art of Fiction” and Janet Burroway’s “Writing Fiction” are both excellent.

An MFA takes a much less casual approach because it’s an academic program. On top of the fiction writing, there are your standard academic readings and essays and the whole gamut of academic stuff that really enhanced the experience for me. I also enjoyed the more disciplined, instructor-driven structure (but like I said, I’m a classroom nerd).

All this stuff is neither here nor there, though, since an MFA is definitely not a necessity. It’s just helpful for some. Of course it is possible to be an amazing writer without any kind of formal training. Some of our best writers who have eschewed formal training are certainly the better for it–their talent was innate, and didn’t end up suffering from the homogenization that can sometimes occur after being subjected to workshop after workshop.

Where I think formal training comes in handy, though, are for those of us who aren’t literary prodigies–good writers, but not great ones–who can benefit a lot from some sit-down instruction in the craft of story-making. This kind of instruction doesn’t have to happen in an MFA program, of course, but unless you happen to find a really fabulous writer’s group, it’s nice to have a really excellent writer/teacher give you some hints and nudges. And I know the MFA stereotype is that the very worst elements of literary fiction (navel gazing, all language and no story, etc etc) are encouraged, but the opposite was true for me. My instruction was about story all the way: where is the conflict? where does the story start? is this dialogue or this flashback or this rumination extraneous? But that was my experience, and I know that horror stories do exist, and as I said before, I had some less-than-wonderful classes myself.

And Liz, one of the ways I felt I was very lucky, stumbling into Hamline’s MFA program, was that I didn’t feel very censored at all, as far as writing about Mormon characters or themes were concerned. I didn’t have much of a Mormon agenda (meaning, I tried hard not to proselytize in my work, and just let the characters be), but most people were very open and even downright interested in my Mormonism. I know it wouldn’t be the same in a place where Mormonism was a relative rarity, though.

I also agree that a lot of what draws me to an MFA prog. are benefits that could be found in writing groups. But, to be honest, I’ve had a hard time finding a superior group that will still accept members. Hobbyist writing groups are everywhere, but I’m looking for what you described in your comment. I’m now to the point where I’m trying to start one of my own which is proving challenging.
Another reason I’ve been interested in getting my MFA is so I can teach. I’ve volunteered at a summer writing program for a local high school, and really enjoyed working with teenagers/young adults, and helping them express themselves through words. It’s been very rewarding, and I’d like to make that a career.

I will admit that it’s not a cut and dry situation for me, though. I’ve been working with some old creative writing professors of mine as I’ve been trying to develop a chapbook to submit with my applications, and I’ve had many stumbling blocks. My poetry has a tendency to focus on religious, although not inherently Mormon, themes. And that’s not going over very well.

So, it’s a struggle. And I do question whether or not I want to censor myself (which I feel I do) in order to be accepted into a program.

I don’t have much experience with either so I must admit that my opinions are all based on hearsay. But I’ve heard some nightmare tales about the attitudes of MFA students, of classroom environments that weren’t supportive unless you were part of the in group (meaning that you bought in to the literary attitudes of the group which may or sometimes may not reflect those of the instructor).

I’m also somewhat hesitant about attempting to professionalize a field that has historically not had that kind of academic support. This is not to say that a master’s degree program should only prepare one to enter a profession — heck, mine is in comparative literature. But I’m not sure what positives this whole idea of an MFA provides that couldn’t be provided better elsewhere.

I also wish that there was a broader appreciation of genre writing in MFA programs. From what I can tell, support for genre writers is slim to non-existent.

But it’s quite possible that I have a stereotypical, skewed view. And I’m quite sure that there’s also part of me that’s a bit resentful of those who can indulge in an MFA degree as most students in such programs that I’ve met had some level of financial support from family or spouse — something that was not available to me (and something that once I peel back my knee-jerk reaction I don’t actually begrudge). Not that I ever wanted to do an MFA. Time to write on the other hand…

Actually I don’t really want that either. My strengths seem to fall more into the critic/cheerleader/facilitator section of the field.

And if I go back to school, it will probably be for an MBA.

(And, Angela, I’ve ordered your book and have suggested it to my friends and family).

In answer to the question about what makes a writing class fun, I’d have to echo Angela’s comment, and add that I enjoy being involved in other’s creative adventures!

I love seeing pieces evolve, and change. I love getting immediate reaction to something I’ve written (good or bad) and watch people’s faces as they hear a phrase or paragraph that I feel is beautiful, and seeing that they feel the same way (or don’t–which is helpful, of course).

The writing classes I’ve taken have actually pushed me towards enrolling in an MFA program myself which I’m currently working on. Despite all the controversy, and some doubts I still have, I’m looking forward to surrounding myself with people engaged in the struggle of creation (and getting some helpful deadlines to push me along).