The world is full of talented writers. Many of them are probably sitting at home right now, wondering why they aren’t already published and earning an income off their work. If you’re one of these writers, then this blog post is for you! Here are a few reasons why you should consider applying for an MFA in creative writing so that you can get your foot in the door of the publishing industry and begin to earn what you deserve.
Freedom Of Expression
One of the primary reasons that I decided to pursue my Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is because I believe passionately in the power of expression. I had always been concerned with the idea that as a woman, I wouldn’t be able to express myself as well as a man could. After all, what are women supposed to do when they want to write about something? They are usually expected to be submissive, understanding, and compassionate, but that can get pretty tiring after a while. As a writer, you are always going to be limited by society’s perceptions, but that should never be a concern of yours. Take literature for example; most people consider it to be a man’s domain, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are countless literary works that are immensely successful and popular that were written primarily by women. They include, but are not limited to: Jane Austen, Emily Brontë, and of course, the very namesake of the genre, the novel, Jane Eyre. In fact, the 2019 Scotiabank Giller Prize, the most prestigious international award for literature, was awarded to a woman for the 1st time in the award’s history. So, if you want to express yourself through writing and aren’t satisfied by what society has to offer, then an MFA in creative writing will allow you to do that and much more.
A Public Profile
If you’ve spent any time on social media, then you’ll know that it’s become quite the popular pastime. Twitter has become an essential part of everyday life for many, connecting them to a world of ideas, thoughts, and people that they would otherwise not encounter. However, although social media may be a useful tool in terms of connecting with like-minded people and gaining exposure, it can also be a great source of competition. If you’re looking to break into the industry or just want to promote your work, then you’ll need to put in the effort to build a public profile. An MFA in creative writing will give you the opportunity to do just that through various platforms, such as:
- And others.
These are the places that you’ll want to be active on, in order to start building a reputation as a writer. Doing so can be highly beneficial, especially if you want to become a published author. It won’t take you long to find and follow many established writers and authors who are very willing to help a fellow aspiring writer. So, by studying creative writing, you’ll gain the tools to stand out among the crowd and achieve your goal of becoming a published author.
A Better Understanding Of The Craft
If you’re already a competent writer, then you’ll probably agree that writing can be a very confusing process. It often requires a lot of trial and error before you find the style or technique that works best for you. Many people find that writing with a partner can be helpful, as it forces you to reevaluate and improve your craft, and that of your partner as well. An MFA in creative writing will provide you with the tools to better understand how language and structure can shape a story into something captivating and unique. It’s never easy to put your thoughts into words, and the only way to get it right is by trying out different styles and techniques. An MFA will help you find the one that works best for you, enabling you to become more confident and competent as a writer.
The Industry Vibe
If you’re looking for a career in arts administration, then you’ll probably want to consider applying for an MFA in creative writing. There is a distinct vibe in the industry that you’ll want to be aware of, which will help you get your foot in the door, as well as provide you with the opportunity to develop strong relationships with literary agents and publishers. There is also a large amount of flexibility in terms of potential careers, as the industry is largely closed to outsiders, barring those with a particular creative bent. If you can become a registered nurse, you can work in a hospital; if you can become a lawyer, you can work in a law firm; if you can become an accountant, you can work in an accounting firm; and so on. As you might imagine, there is an overwhelming amount of choice when it comes to potential careers in the creative writing field. It’s not like most other graduate programs, where you’ll have to settle for one or two options as a potential career. In creative writing, you’ll have access to a virtually limitless number of career paths, all of which are related to writing!
A Creative Mind
If you’re a creative, innovative thinker who is interested in writing as a means of expression, then an MFA in creative writing is a fantastic choice. You’ll have the opportunity to grow as a person, exploring different ideas and approaches to various problems, as well as gain new skills, such as:
- Research
- Editing
- Craftsmanship
- Presentation
- Prose
- Poetry
- Blogging
- Vlogging
As you might imagine, gaining an MFA in creative writing will not only open up a world of opportunities for you, it will also enhance your creative mind in countless ways. When you combine a love for literature with a creative bent, then you’ll be able to shape stories in your own unique way, bringing your creative voice to life in the form of art. This is a very exciting prospect, and one that is worthy of your considerable talent.
The Research Opportunities
If you want to become a published author, then the first and most important thing you need to do is gain as much research experience as possible. No, not just any research will suffice; you need to aim for the best, get a first-class degree. An MFA in creative writing will open up a world of research opportunities, not only providing you with books that you can analyze and take notes from, but also allowing you to become a valuable asset to theses libraries. If you can’t spend a lot of time going to and from classes, then you’ll need to become extremely efficient with your study times, maximizing the amount of information that you learn. One of the primary reasons that I decided to get my MFA was because of the excellent research opportunities that it provided. Not only did it allow me to expand my knowledge greatly, but it also helped me develop and hone my research skills. I can’t understate how crucial this was in allowing me to land my dream job, which I gratefully hold in a prestigious institution.
The Networking And Relationships
If you want to become a published author, then the most vital thing you need to do is build as strong of a network as possible. This applies not only to securing a literary agent or publisher, but also to gaining access to a plethora of writing-related opportunities, via:
- Blogs
- Online forums
- Fanpages
- Social media
- Career fairs
- Conferences
- Meetings
An MFA in creative writing will open up a world of networking opportunities, providing you with the chance to meet with established writers and literary agents, as well as gain valuable insight into the industry. Strong relationships with key people in the industry can prove to be invaluable, especially if you want to become a published author. It is always a great idea to begin by reaching out to people via social media, online forums, or even good old-fashioned email. Most importantly, however, is building relationships with key people in the industry via seminars, workshops, and other similar opportunities that the graduate program will provide you with access to. You should also consider reaching out to famous authors and well-known literary agents, whom you can then partner with, to help get your foot in the door.