The Impact of an MFA in Creative Writing: A Path to Improve Your Writing Skills

Many writers often feel isolated when they are crafting their words, seeking guidance and inspiration from the works on their bookshelves. While popular books can serve as a great starting point, the real mark of a classic lies in its ability to make a profound statement about the society we live in and the role of humans within that narrative. However, merely imitating the success of others is not enough. A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing offers the tools, perspectives, and professional credential needed to elevate your writing and develop as a professional.

Professional Credential and Teaching Opportunities

An MFA in Creative Writing equips aspiring writers with a valuable professional credential that can open doors to various opportunities, such as underpaid, non-tenured-track teaching positions at colleges across the country. These roles often require writers to neglect their personal work and assess the often-unserious writing of college students. Instead of viewing these teaching positions as a hindrance to personal growth, MFA graduates can use them to hone their editorial and mentoring skills, which are invaluable in the writing process.

Growing as a Writer Through an MFA Program

During your MFA program, you will be introduced to a wide range of reading materials designed to provide you with a deep understanding of the history and evolution of writing techniques and styles. This immersion in classical and contemporary literature helps you connect with writers who have succeeded, allowing you to expand your own skill set and voice.

Exploring Unfamiliar Genres and Content

One of the most rewarding aspects of an MFA program is the opportunity to work with a variety of mentors who can provide you with feedback on your work. As a case in point, working on a story that deals with highly complex societal and emotional content can be quite uncomfortable but also incredibly enriching. My MFA experience involved working with a mentor on a long, complex backstory that I was ill-prepared to manage. My mentor suggested a whole set of books that offered different perspectives on handling such narratives.

Multidimensional Approaches to Storytelling

The provided books ranged from a novelist who wrote lengthy, detailed works to a writer who produced short, immediate one-offs. Introducing such diverse storytelling techniques helped me see the breadth of possibilities and develop a clearer understanding of how to manage a narrative that seemed overwhelming. This exposure and the iterative feedback from these mentors were instrumental in shaping my own unique style and voice as a writer.

Conclusion

Engaging in an MFA program in Creative Writing provides you with an unparalleled opportunity to grow as a writer. It offers you the professional credential, the tools, and the guidance needed to navigate the complex landscape of writing, both as a creator and an evaluator. By immersing yourself in a wide range of literature and working closely with experienced mentors, you can develop your skills and find your own unique voice in the world of creative writing.