Kerry Booth sleuthed around a couple of MFA panels at AWP. Here's what he uncovered:
The Evolution of the MFA: The 21st Century Student – Erika Meitner, Julie Carr, Mary Biddinger, Eric Morris, Raina Fields, Serena Chopra
The changing shape of the field of Creative Writing programs have cause many students to enter into programs “professionalized” – that is, more cognizant and focused toward the goal of being published during or after their time at school, more adept at networking (social and otherwise) and aware of the pedagogical changes in MFA programs.
The increased flexibility of the faculty is one aspect that has allowed the student to adapt to new opportunities and broaden their skill sets.
Just in the last 15 years applications to MFA programs have jumped nearly 500% (600 in 1994 to 3500 in 2010 {anticipated}).
Blogs and other on-line tools have helped prospective and current students wade through the process (mfachronicles.blogspot.com, pw.org/speakeasy, sethabramson.blogspot.com).
Two panelists (current instructor and student) played out two fictional roads to the MFA and beyond – an oddly dated form for getting their points across. The other instructor and student spoke mainly to the sense of commitment and familial feeling the MFA program can engender.
While the MFA used to be known as a battle between professionalism versus pursuit of knowledge – “gazing at the distance and unseen things” – the 21st Century MFA student can and should find the program that give them, the student, the degree and experience they want.
Crime, Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy…Seriously. MFA programs and the genre writer.
The desire to write in genre and pursue and MFA: yes, it can be done. But why did the panelists pursue such a path? To write what they liked to read; to incorporate all of their influences, not just the literary. Genre writing allows the writer to hold up a mirror to society.
The correct MFA program will respond to the writing regardless of genre. Writers intent on focusing their writing for genre will find the programs that know how to teach it. Marginalization occurs with both literary and genre works, just look at your local Barnes and Noble.
Genre writing, with its constraints, can be seen as easier writing, but can also be more restrictive if conventions are mis-used or ignored. While the idea that literary fiction is character driven and genre writing is plot driving is true in some cases, a dull character or unbelievable plot sinks any story.
Writing both literary and genre fiction is possible, as well as achieving an MFA degree. The communities open to writers can, and usually do, augment the writer’s experience. A writer is only restricted by their selves.
Pursuing an MFA—do your homework. Find the teachers that have written what you like. Seek out the teachers that can help you achieve a higher ability with your art—regardless of what you write.
--Kerry Booth
