I have a very vague recollection of my grandparents talking about the Great Depression. I do not remember much about it, but I do know that it was one of the biggest economic downturns in history. In the wake of the Depression, people were trying to figure out a way to prevent financial disasters in the future. Some started talking about creative writing as a possible solution.
It was a rough time for everyone. From what I can tell, people wrote letters to their loved ones, entertained themselves, and tried to stay optimistic. The few resources available to people during that time included books on creative writing by successful authors, like Kate Chopin and Sherwood Anderson. These authors inspired many people to pick up a pen and put their thoughts on paper. So even though the Great Depression was more than 70 years ago, the influence of these authors lives on today.
What Does a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Include?
Today, a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is a generic term used when referring to a program that gives you a comprehensive understanding of various aspects of the creative process, including grammar, punctuation, and organizational skills. While the exact requirements of the program may vary, usually you will be asked to take advanced writing classes, complete a research project, and deliver a professional writing portfolio. However, that is just a general outline.
Depending on the school, you may be required to take additional classes such as business management, art history, or marketing. To be eligible for admission, you must have a bachelor’s degree. The good thing is that even though the requirements vary, most Creative Writing MFA programs teach you the same basic skills.
Why Should You Pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing?
Depending on your career goals, a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing can help you achieve them. The thing is that even though the title of the degree is Master of Fine Arts, most people who get one end up using it to put on their resume to highlight their business writing, editing, or non-fiction portfolio. While you may initially see a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing as a purely professional degree, you should also consider using it to broaden your perspective on creative writing as an art form. If you have a genuine interest in writing as a way of self-expression, a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing can help open up countless doors for you.
If your previous education and work experience are in a similar field, you may be able to get a job with a creative writing agency or firm without a problem. And as for the rest of us, well, a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing can help craft the perfect resume to help us get that all-important job interview.
How Do You Start Your Creative Writing Education?
As mentioned by the Harvard Encyclopedia of Literary Literature, creative writing is often referred to as a “stepping stone” or “crutch degree” because it provides you with the necessary education to go into other, more profitable fields. With that in mind, if you’re looking to start your creative writing education, you have a few options. You can either go to school full-time, take classes online, or combine both.
In the 1920s, Virginia Woolf published the classic The Common Reader, which examined the roles of both students and teachers in the creative writing process. In it, she highlighted the importance of teachers playing a role in their students’ education, especially in creative writing. In other words, even though you may be learning how to write for the entertainment of readers, you must also be careful not to copy other authors’ work without giving them credit.
In 1930, H. H. Hodges established the modern-day Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The requirements for admission include a bachelor’s degree in English or a related field, along with an application, resume, and two writing samples. While the form of the degree has changed, the requirements have remained relatively the same. Since that time, hundreds of graduate degree programs in Creative Writing have sprung up across the United States and around the world.
What are the Job Opportunities in Creative Writing?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2018, there were around 130,000 jobs available in Creative Writing in the United States. That works out to an employment rate of one in every forty-two jobs.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that this number does not include all of the various opportunities available in creative writing, just the ones that the government collects statistics on. So the actual number of available jobs may be much higher. When it comes to the types of jobs available in creative writing, there is a wide range. You could start off working for an ad agency or marketing firm as a public affairs writer. From there, you can move into business writing, editing, or publishing.
If you have a professional resume, you may be able to get a job as a copy editor or fact checker for a large media company. Alternatively, if you are looking for an entrepreneurial spirit and love to write, you can start up your own creative writing agency or firm.
Is It Worth Pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing?
Based on what I have described so far, it is easy to see why a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing can be so valuable. Even with the many doors that this degree can open up for you, it may not be for everybody. If you want a purely professional career or see yourself as more of an entrepreneurial writer, you may not need a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. But if you are looking for a more independent and creative life, it may be worth pursuing.