tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666428222057179965.post8624838531009576858..comments2020-07-03T21:48:03.939-04:00Comments on Nathan Hall: To MFA or not to MFA...?Nathan Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13320202299197522559noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666428222057179965.post-77274017236069311572011-12-16T16:38:28.949-05:002011-12-16T16:38:28.949-05:00I received my MFA from FAU and I can honestly tell...I received my MFA from FAU and I can honestly tell you that the amount of stress and money that I spent in the process is not worth it. I am currently working somewhere that has nothing to do with my degree and I am underpaid. If you love to write, I say to just submit your stuff to journals and keep on writing. An MFA is not necessary in order to succeed as a writer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666428222057179965.post-78147112467827828822011-12-02T15:04:06.031-05:002011-12-02T15:04:06.031-05:00Thanks for the feedback Gail! As much as I'd l...Thanks for the feedback Gail! As much as I'd love to just go back to school out of frustration, I think you're right... the numbers just don't add up. When I look at costs the decision becomes apparent quickly.<br />Thanks to some of the links you have on your blog I've looked into a few writers groups in the area. Do you know of any genre specific groups?Nathan Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13320202299197522559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666428222057179965.post-44324152208502200212011-12-01T12:16:01.238-05:002011-12-01T12:16:01.238-05:00I got an MA in creative writing at U of Florida be...I got an MA in creative writing at U of Florida before they had an MFA, more than 25 years ago. I looooved it. It absolutely gives you time to concentrate on nothing but writing; there's the sense of camaraderie (and competition); and you have access to excellent teachers (depending on the program you choose.) Would I do it now? No. Back then, the education was dirt cheap. Now, it's just too expensive. Once you add up the tuition plus the time spent off work, you're probably looking at an investment of over $100,000. That's money you will never, ever, earn back. What to do instead? Go to writers conferences and take the intensives. Sign up for weekend (or even week-long) craft workshops. Join a writing group that meets weekly or monthly at night. Take on line courses (like the Writers' Digest courses, or those offered by Media Bistro.) This is how I've been continuing my education for the last year and a half, and it's working beautifully. There's my two cents, for what it's worth.Gail Shepherdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16998497900316232330noreply@blogger.com