Getting into a creative writing MFA program is a dream for many writers. There are only a few programs across the country, and even fewer in Canada. It’s not easy to get into one of these programs, and even harder to get accepted once you’re in. There’s a lot that goes into it, and not all of it is good. Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of what you need to do to become a creative writing master.
Join A Creative Writing Club
One of the first things you need to do to get started is to join a creative writing club. It’s not enough to just apply to the program – you need to be doing more than that. You need to be creating value for yourself and the program by being a part of a community. The best way to do this is by joining a creative writing club. This is something that you can do even if you’re not in one already. Many literary organizations have annual membership drives, so you can become a part of a community and start making connections. It never hurts to ask. You can also join online communities like Goodreads and build your network this way. The world of literature is a small one, and it’s best connected through social media. Being a member of a creative writing club will get you access to all of this and more. It’s the best way to learn what others are doing and be able to integrate this into your own work. You won’t find many literary degrees that don’t offer some kind of writing club – it’s just part of being part of the community. Being in a creative writing club is invaluable experience that will help you at every stage of your writing life. It will give you a place to both grow as a writer and meet other students who share your interests. This is particularly important if you want to get into a top-tier program, as the majority of the students in these programs will most likely be other writers. Being able to network and create solid relationships with other students will likely be the key to your success in the program.
Take General Writing Courses
One of the first things that most writing programs require is some kind of general writing course. This is usually a sequence of classes that you need to take in order to be considered for admission. Even if you’ve taken some kind of writing course in high school, you’ll need to retake these classes when applying to a creative writing program. The best thing about these classes is that they don’t necessarily need to be related to writing at all. A lot of the classes that these general writing courses consist of are classes in business, marketing, or communications. Something as simple as revising and improving your writing skills will benefit you in every way. You’ll be able to write better, connect with your audience, and even make more money in the long run. Being in these classes will also give you the opportunity to make connections and find support.
Take Classes In Creative Writing
Once you’ve taken the general writing courses, you’ll be able to move on to more specific courses in creative writing. These are the courses that will get you noticed by the program simply by taking them, as opposed to applying with a piece of writing. Even if you’ve only taken one class in creative writing so far, you can already start applying what you’ve learned to your own work. This is something that will likely make you standout above other applicants. As a part of your general education, you’ll be able to take classes in creative writing and develop your own style and voice as a writer. You’ll have the opportunity to both explore and experiment with different story forms, as well as learn about effective writing techniques. Many of these classes will also have additional requirements that you’ll need to complete in order to earn your certificate or diploma from the program. Some of the things that you’ll need to learn to complete these courses are things like how to use metaphors effectively, how to use literary devices, and even how to structure a story. Being able to take these classes will give you a leg up not just as an applicant, but also as a writer. These classes will develop your creative writing abilities and help you to find your voice as a writer. Strong writing skills and confident experimentation are two of the things that will set you apart as an applicant. When looking for a creative writing master’s program, make sure to search for the requirements for the program that you’re interested in.
Attend Literary Fairs And Festivals
Another great way to meet other writers and gain valuable experience is to attend literary festivals and fairs. Many of these organizations host workshops and seminars that you can attend, as well as award-winning authors who may even give readings. The great thing about these organizations is that they tend to be small in size, meaning that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and talk to a lot of interesting people. For those of you who are in creative writing, this is a great way to get some feedback on your work and even make some valuable connections with other writers. Even if you don’t win any awards, this is still a great way to get some experience and meet others who share your interests. It’s not always easy to get work published, so getting involved in these organizations and gaining exposure is important. Remember, success in this industry is measured in many different ways, but above all, it’s about creating value and being noticed for the right reasons. You never know who might be reading your work and how this could potentially lead to future work opportunities.
Obtain A Published Work
Another great way to get noticed is to obtain a published work. Even if you’ve only recently started writing, you can already start looking for opportunities to get your work published. There are plenty of organizations out there that will look at your work and might even want to buy it. This could potentially lead to higher paying opportunities, not to mention the boost to your resume. When writing, it’s important to know your audience and what they want. You can use online article directories like HubSpot to gain some experience and build your portfolio. Most of these articles will be fairly short and might even be done in collaboration with other writers. The great thing about these types of articles is that they are very easy to write and can be done in conjunction with your other classes. Obtaining a published work is certainly difficult, but it’s an excellent way to get noticed and gain experience. Publishing a work is like taking paid classes – you’ll learn a lot and have the opportunity to build your skills as a writer.
Apply For Scholarships
There are many different scholarships out there that you can apply for, and most of them don’t even have to be related to writing in any way. It’s not always easy to fund your studies, and if you’re applying for a loan to pay for your MFA program, it’s important to look into as many of these scholarships as possible. Many times it’s a matter of connecting the dots and knowing which scholarships to apply for and in what order to complete the application. Once you’ve got your application in, make sure to send it in as soon as possible. That way you’ll have the best chance of being considered for the scholarship. Remember, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get anything, but it’s always better to apply than to not. Many times these scholarships are awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis, so if you’re applying near the end, it’s imperative that you send in your application as soon as possible. Good luck out there.
Getting into a creative writing masters program is no easy feat. It takes a lot of hard work and even more luck. However, it’s all worth it in the end. You’ll have the opportunity to become a better writer and gain valuable experience. Make sure to follow the guidelines above, and you’ll be able to find the help you need to reach your full potential. If you’ve found this article valuable, then check out these resources below:
Books On Writing
If you want to learn more about writing, then you can’t go wrong with books. Specifically, there are a lot of fantastic books out there on writing for digital media. This is a relatively new area of study, meaning that there aren’t a lot of established writers in this field. It’s always great to find a book on any topic, but when it comes to digital media and creative writing, there are a few specific books that you might want to check out. They are as follows: