Going to get a Masters in Creative Writing, talk me out of it

Judging by the creativity of this thread, I'd urge you to rethink your decision.

0/10

I have an MFA in painting and it was the funnest, most fulfilling and productive 2 years of my life. I would not trade it for anything. I can't believe how much I grew as an artist and person. With that said, have I made it as an artist?, Well not really, but 32 years later I'm still at it. It is a lifestyle thing, just like running. Heck, I was an assistant track and cross country coach at a neighboring college at the same time I was getting that degree.

About 10 years after I got my MFA I decided to go into public school teaching. Those MFA credits drove me up the pay scale from the get go so didn't have to endure the pathetic starting teaching salary thing, and it's paid itself off multiple times over.

I did save the bulk of the cost before hand and only took out one lone, maybe the quarter of the cost. Financially, it is a different game now. You might want to think that one a bit further.

Just so you're not complaining that society owes you a writing job when your done, go for it. There were a number of 40 and 50 year olds in the program doing what you are doing.

MFA wrote:

Bored at my job, going to spend two years and $30,000 just to mix things up and improve as a writer. No real plans of using the MFA to get a job, it just seems like the most interesting use of my time and I've always wanted to be a writer. Entering middle age and realizing it's time to make real decisions about how I'm going to spend my life.

I will be taking loans out for the bulk of the cost. No family to support.

Go for it! It's you life. No kids to support. Make yourself happy, and nail some younger coeds.

(The neurotic one's insecure about their creative writing will be the best in bed, and most likely to have a 3some with another chick. If you pick the one's carrying an extra 30lbs -- you'll be GOLDEN!)

Have a great time.

I was a journalist for 8 years, starting at 25k in 2006, and making no more than 30k by 2014. I had no idea the writing field would suck. Considered MFA in editing/writing but am going to coding bootcamp. STEM and coding is the future.

Choose your path but choose wisely. What you are paying for is the connections and networks moreso than writing (I assume you can write well at this point).

I did mine under similar circumstances, only over four years and with no loans. It was an indulgence. Had one interview at the large company where I work for a writer/reporter position that I would have loved to have. Got through the entire process and was offered the job at 25% lower than what I make now. But that's okay--I passed on it. Still hoping to get some larger works published and I'm happy I did the degree. It's something grand to do if you can afford the time and money and opens up lots of possibilities for personal growth. It's not, generally, a sound investment or a good financial move.

MFA

Misspent Financial Aid

The truly creative don't need schooling. Not in the traditional sense, anyway. Save your money and simply follow your creativity organically. Wherever it takes you it takes you. So wherever you end up is where you're supposed to be.

Are you familiar with the rock GODS that comprise the rock band RUSH? Read up on their drummer Neil Peart. Pure creative genius. How are you with a drum kit?

If you can afford it, why not? Middle aged men burn $30k on all kinds of stupid things like Harleys, Mazda Miatas, and triathlons. You are fortunate to have a passion for something that you can pursue without having to spend the rest of your life working at the DMV because you didn't make it. For most people, middle age is just grinding away at the same job everyday and the only consolation is surrounding yourself with conspicuous consumption or a trophy wife.

Go to Cornell or Iowa and get paid to get your MFA

Creative writing is a type of writing that expresses ideas and thoughts in an imaginative way. It plays a great role in our life. Creative writing encourages students to exercise their creative mind,improves their imaginations and ability to come up with alternatives.Online academic paper writing service will helpful for students to improve creative writing skill. https://sites.google.com/site/bestessaywritingservicereview/

You may be right, but I was in grad school in a STEM field, and I tried to become friends with any MFA student I met because they were by far the most interesting people.

jecht wrote:

I was a journalist for 8 years, starting at 25k in 2006, and making no more than 30k by 2014. I had no idea the writing field would suck. Considered MFA in editing/writing but am going to coding bootcamp. STEM and coding is the future.

Choose your path but choose wisely. What you are paying for is the connections and networks moreso than writing (I assume you can write well at this point).

Super RUSH fan wrote:

The truly creative don't need schooling. Not in the traditional sense, anyway. Save your money and simply follow your creativity organically. Wherever it takes you it takes you. So wherever you end up is where you're supposed to be.

Are you familiar with the rock GODS that comprise the rock band RUSH? Read up on their drummer Neil Peart. Pure creative genius. How are you with a drum kit?

Bukowski didn't need no stinking badges.

answer the following questions:

1) are you independently wealthy, or do you have significant family money?

2) are you a hot chick?

if you answered "no" to either of these questions, do not go

MFA wrote:

Bored at my job, going to spend two years and $30,000 just to mix things up and improve as a writer. No real plans of using the MFA to get a job, it just seems like the most interesting use of my time and I've always wanted to be a writer. Entering middle age and realizing it's time to make real decisions about how I'm going to spend my life.

I will be taking loans out for the bulk of the cost. No family to support.

Just to check off a few boxes.

1. Regardless of your plans, you won't be able to use the MFA to get a job

2. You will not be a writer after getting an MFA...that isn't how it works

3. This is not a decision about "spending your life" but a decision about how you're going to spend/waste your money

4. Taking out loans?! OMG, this is even stupider. Please learn how interest works on those loans, and how much it will be (lots and lots). And then don't do it

I mean, let's be serious. You're middle aged. All the "writing" jobs are on blogs. No blog is going to hire you. They don't really pay anyway. Also, you're too old. You're not going to become a journalist. You're not going to write a best-selling novel...I mean, you're not even going to be able to get an agent. And, anyway, you don't need an MFA to do any of those things you're not going to do anyway.

I have an MFA from one of the top programs. (I also have an MA and BA in English.) An MFA won't make you a writer....or get you a job. It won't really even make you a *better* writer, not in any meaningful sense. Don't waste your money. Please. If you want to write, then write. If you're horrible now, likely you always will be. Learn to read better. That's the best way to become a better writer. A library card is free. Also, be an interesting person.

lol, spot on.

BTW, I can almost guarantee the OP is female.

Perhaps you could be hired by LetsRun because gawd knows the awful spelling, grammar and writing on this site.

Sounds like someone is very bitter after being rejected on numerous occasions from any job remotely related to writing.

Not at all, sweet pea. Let the truth set you free.

Great career with 20+ years experience working in scholarly journals, major print magazines, b2b publications, and a variety of editing jobs. Published plenty in good literary journals across genres. I know bookoo people in all these areas as well as in agenting and book publishing. I have an MFA and know a lot of people who do as well, from my program and from other top programs, and I still know them and know what they're doing now.

Not talking from bitterness, but first-hand experience. I know, it's strange to see on LR.....

Journalism is dead wrote:

Perhaps you could be hired by LetsRun because gawd knows the awful spelling, grammar and writing on this site.

+1..

journalism is dead, yes, sir, 30 years in the field, total collapse of newspapers in the past decade, yet colleges are still churning out the "journalism" graduates to do what, social media? That doesn't pay and you don't need a $200k degree to do it.

MFA classes are full of old ladies who expect to turn their diaries into a book.