[stylist] Topic for discussion

Thu Oct 6 15:45:30 UTC 2016

Chris,

Agree.

I don't think going the formal education route is the only way to become a
good writer. I think it helps, and for me, it definitely has. But many of my
favorite authors do not have a degree in writing.

With my particular emphasis, which is creative writing, getting an MFA is
best. Most published creative nonfiction writers have a MFA, and it does
help. CNF is a little different beast than fiction. Poetry can be similar to
CNF too. Most CNF writers I like have a degree in writing and/or English,
and a MFA as well.

Teaching at the collegiate level would be something I would consider, but
you have to be published. Most universities want you to have a heavy load of
material published in literary journals and magazines and at least one
full-length book. Even small schools and community colleges want these
publishing creds in addition to the degrees. So I'm a long way off from
that, and at 35, it could take some time if this is a real goal. I'm
competing with a lot of younger people who by my age, are more established.

Ultimately, it's a personal decision for me. I want to polish my writing and
learn as much as I can, and going the academic route works best for me. I
enjoy the academic process. I like the classroom environment. And to me,
writing workshops are invaluable to any writer.

FYI, I was home schooled for a couple of years in grammar school. My mom is
very intelligent and a good teacher, which is what she does professionally.
So my sister and I received a great education. And when we went back to
public school, in some ways, we were advanced compared to our peers. Later,
when my little brother and sister were in school, she home schooled them and
two neighbor kids for a couple of years. Again, when they returned to public
school, they did well. In fact, one of the neighbor kids had been behind
academically, and after my mom home schooled him, he went back ahead of the
game.

However, yes, I've known too many kids who were home schooled, and they are
behind and not well educated. And several lack certain social skills. It all
depends on the parent and their ability not only to teach, but to conduct a
professional, serious learning environment.

I respect those who home school and do it well. Teaching is not my gift, and
I don't have a lot of patience working with young kids and teens. Sometimes
trying to teach my four-year-old certain things just frazzles me, LOL! So I
do respect those who do it well.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chris Kuell
via stylist
Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2016 10:24 AM
To: 'Writers' Division Mailing List' <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Chris Kuell <ckuell at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Topic for discussion

Bridgit,

To directly address your question, I always think education is a good thing.
You can never be too smart or know too much, in my opinion.

To indirectly address your question, it depends on why you want to get your
MFA. If you want to teach, it is almost a requirement. If you want to
publish, it can help you become a better writer, and it may open doors  for
you, but then again, it might not. As an NY agent told me at a writer's
conference several years ago--Stephen King doesn't hav an MFA. He just kept
writing and working on the craft until he started selling.

I believe there is a stigma around self published books, and I don't see it
going away. Being kind, I'd say 80% of self-published books are crap. And
I'm not just saying that--I'm a very supportive friend, and have purchased
at least a dozen self-published books by people I know. Most are okay, but
it's not hard to see why an agent or publisher didn't pick them up. And one
or two were downright awful. I'm also certain there are some excellent
self-published books out there, and we've all heard stories of those one in
ten thousand who actually hit it big with a self-published novel. 

And while there are some published books that I think stink, by in large
publishing houses and agents have vetted them, and they appeal to certain
readers. So when you buy a traditionally published book, you have a greater
certainty that the contents will be of higher quality.

Now--does an MFA assure higher quality work? Again, I might apply the 80/20
rule. Mostly, yes, but I have read some books where I learned the author got
an MFA from this place or that, and I think--you didn't learn much, did you?

I think Julie made a very interesting analogy to home schooling. My wife
teaches Organic Chemistry at Yale, where all the students are top notch. And
every year she has a few students who were home schooled by parents who did
an excellent job. On the other hand, I know a couple at our church who home
school their kids, and are doing a terrible job. The kids read and write and
do math at well below their grade level, because quite honestly, the parents
aren't qualified to teach them.

And that's the source of the stigma behind self-published books. Most people
think writing is easy and anybody can do it.
Good writers know that's not true.     

Chris

_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://writers.nfb.org/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bkpollpeter%40gmail.com