Writing Process

Can I DIY an MFA in Creative Writing?

gerlachness

I’ve always wanted to get an MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Creative Writing. But I just can’t get myself to pull the trigger. Financing is probably the first reason. I was raised to keep a tight grip on my money and not spend “frivolously.” Not to mention all of the applications, credit requirements, and grading that would have to happen in that as well.

Maybe I’m just lazy? Because the idea of going through so many hoops, being rejected, finally being accepted, only to have to play by their rules, and then learn to write how that specific institution thinks is valuable…it sounds unbearable and torturous.

Let’s be honest. It’s mostly because I’m terrified of the rejection and the insufferable academia of it all. And…I don’t think I’d get in…

The fact is, I want an MFA because I want to learn how to be good! Yes, I love entertainment fiction and don’t think I need it for that. But I want to be known as a great writer by other writers. I want my prose to be something other writers look at and think, “how did they do that?!” And I’m just not there yet.

So, I got this idea after finding this book and this website. I could build my own MFA, tailored to my specific interests! Because, you know, that’s so much less work than applying to places (ugh, I don’t understand my brain sometimes). It feels more controllable if I’m the one in charge of this, ya know?

I know that what I want out of a program and how I want to use it, aren’t exactly how typical MFAs run. I’m building my own for my pace, my preferred genres, and my own focus.

So, what does a Traditional Creative Writing MFA include?

We’ll look at something close to home — the UW-Madison MFA in Creative Writing.

Timeline: 2 years

Total Credits: 42 (10.5 credits per semester)

Requirements:

  • 9 credits of writing workshops
  • 3 credits of pedagogy
  • 15 thesis credits
  • 15 elective credits

Thesis:

The final thesis project usually takes the form of a longer piece, typically at least 90-100 pages, polished enough to be publishable. For Fiction writers, that means a publishable novel.

What I want to get out of an MFA-style program

While my major focus would be on novels. I want to focus on a few different things:

  • Plot structure to enhance character arcs and emotional impact
  • Revision techniques for longer works
  • Community engagement and writer support

I don’t have a huge interest in being academically gifted in writing. I have more of an interest in my writing being an enjoyable and emotional reading experience.

Classes I’m interested in:

  • Workshops/Seminars for Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry – I see the value in learning about all of the different genres and not just focusing only on fiction. I want to be a well-rounded writer.
  • Literary Theory – I want to relearn how to analyze and review books. I was never very good at finding the same points as the Professors in my courses. While I did well in my classes, it seemed like I always focused on the smaller character growth moments rather than the big picture or overarching themes.
  • Studying Novels – My BA focus was on Composition and Rhetoric. I missed out on reading a lot of the “classics” because of this. I’d love to focus on reading a lot of novels:
    • Modern American Novels
    • Works in Translation
    • Fantasy/Speculative Fiction Canon
  • Revision Tactics – for both long and short form pieces. I feel like there’s always emphasis on idea generation and composition, but never really a course that digs into revision as a process.
  • Alternative Storytelling – There are so many new and emerging ways to tell a story, and I’d love to investigate those further.
    • Graphic Novels
    • Visual Novels
    • Serial Fiction
    • Fictional Podcasts
  • Psychology/Philosophy – I’d love to dig further into human nature and why we do the things we do. More than that, I’d love to investigate why people dig their heels into certain ways of thinking over others. Philosophy was one of those classes I took but never really latched onto or understood. Again, I did fine in those classes, but never gained the confidence in the subject to be able to discuss it.

My Plan

(A lot of my plan comes from Trailer Park MFA and might be adjusted according to resources I find. I’m working through course guidelines as I go, so any additional resources are always super helpful.)

The Craft of the Novel with a Focus on Genre Fiction

42 Credits

I’m not on a time crunch or looking to pressure myself to finish certain pieces within 15 weeks, like a traditional academic setting would be. That’s a major difference here. There is a group/discussion aspect that I won’t be getting, but I think SubStack has been an engaged place where I might hear some great feedback. I’m still working out how to handle that piece. As for my workshop pieces, I’m a part of a critique group already that is always immensely helpful in showing me my growth opportunities.

But Rachel, you could go to school for this and get credit!

I know this. But something holds me back from taking that route. I’m not sure if it’s fear or laziness or something else entirely. I’ve also tried it before when I was a much younger writer and failed pretty miserably to get in anywhere.

For now, I’m going to listen to that voice. I guess what I’m saying is that I’m doing this for “fun,” as messed up as that sounds. I’m doing this because I miss learning and pushing myself mentally in a structured way.

I’m also probably doing it this way because I’m a control freak and don’t like being told what to do and when to do it.

Want to join me?

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Published by gerlachness

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