Sometimes I think it would be fun to do a MFA writing program, but they're all like "it costs 50k a year and you'll write 150 pages of a novel for your thesis..." and this seems very odd.

Then... "we don't do genre fiction..." 🫠

Then... "learn from our world renowned faculty..."

And the previously nouned faculty has published perhaps 5 stories each in fancy magazines... VERY fancy magazines...

Maybe I just need nerdy lit friends? We can self study and keep our 100k. 😏

@cheribaker
I've been having very similar thoughts recently. 🙃
I have zero 'official' training in writing, literature, English, etc... yet have been working as a professional writer for 7+ years now, on top of the novel that's now in revision round 3.
I keep finding courses, masterclasses, and the like that seem appropriate, I just can't afford any of them. 🤦‍♂️

@jessekelber I'm thinking about setting up a little self study plan for myself. It's still early days, and I need a week or two to mull it over. If you're similarly inclined and interested in meeting sometime to exchange ideas - let me know. :)

@Miraz Agreed! It's very snooty.

@cheribaker

💯 💯 💯

@cheribaker Maybe you should start a fancy program for writers and would-be writers. Then those faculty members would be able to sign up for your program. Maybe you’d even charge 50 thou for it.

@cheribaker A good friend of mine went to a program in Maine, I believe, where they offered a spec fic MFA program. He seemed to like it, but yeah, it was like $30k?

I keep considering doing the MFA program by me, but again, it's like $35k for a three year program and, frankly, I've been a professional writer for so long it feels sorta like... I don't know?

@cheribaker

I think it mainly comes down to expectations and requirements for "success". Then a decision can be made whether self study (with a group?), retreats or workshop programs are the way to go.

(Nothing to be underestimated in terms of personal perseverance, effort to organize - and conflicts among stakeholders.)

I recall the times when I browsed the conference & events (courses) pages on Writer's Digest back then. A wide spectrum for ideas. (Also in terms of $$$ 😉 .)

@dvewlsh Yeah. Writing is a tough enough gig that it seems unlikely you'd earn that out compared to say, a business or comp sci degree. I suspect I can learn without going into debt. :)

@KolokokoBird Ha! Too much work. :)

@cheribaker The way I see it, MFA programs largely work as a way to hone your craft and gain connections.

Both of which are things I already do and continue to do. I dunno... Considering how hard the writing market is these days, I'm not sure it makes sense.