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Joe Shmoe: All writing is creative.

Moe Shmoe: Yeah, and all jokes are funny.

Writer-Related Links & Resources
   

For the Writer - Journals and Helpful Links - Creative Nonfiction - Poetry - Screenwriting and Playwriting - Songwriting - Creative Writing Workshops, Conferences, and Colonies - Spotting A Scam - Tool Box - Getting Published - Independent Publishing - Copyright and Publishing Law - MFA - Local Links - Back Rack-Jourals and Zines - Writers on Writing

NEW MFA PROGRAM RATINGS FOR POETS AND WRITERS: List / Article

 

 

Creative Nonfiction

 

Screenwriting and Playwriting

 

Songwriting

 

 

 

 

Creative Writing Workshops, Conferences, and Colonies

 

Spotting A Scam

 

 

Tool Box

 

Getting Published

 

 

Independent Publishing

 

 

Copyright and Publishing Law

 

 

MFA and other creative writing degrees

 

Some points:

 

-The MFA is a terminal degree, allowing the holder to apply for teaching positions at the university level, but it does not guarantee employment. MFA programs are generally very difficult to get into due to a low acceptance rate. According to AWP, an MFA prepares the individual to teach both creative writing and literature at all levels.

 

-The PhD in Creative Writing is usually a literature degree with a creative dissertaion. The AWP does not consider it "the" terminal degree in creative writing. That remains the MFA. However, in recent years, PhD programs have proliferated. Some are listed among the best creative writing programs in the country, although these lists still tend to be dominated by MFA programs.

 

-Many creative writing faculty positions advertise for either an MFA or PhD/Creative Writing. It is rare for someone to pursue both an MFA and/or a PhD, but some people have taken that route. At present, it may only make sense to do this if the PhD is in a field other than Creative Wrting. While this may be advantageous for someone pursuing an literature appointment, it does not seem to make much differance in terms of a creative writing appointment. In this area, publication matters more. In fact, several of the finest programs will accept significant publication in lieu of advanced degrees.

 

 

Deciding whether to choose an MFA or a PhD in Creative Writing--or both or neither--is a very personal decision with no simple answer.

 

-A Masters degree with a creative writing concentration is often used as a stepping stone to an MFA program.

 

-Simply, the MFA is a studio degree, the PhD in Creative Writing is typically a degree in literature with a creative component- programs vary widely.. An MA degree is valuable in its own right and as a step toward a PhD. A Masters with a concentration inf creative writing can provide a profoundly imporant grounding for somenone who wishes to go on to earn an MFA. However, it is not likely to improve one's chances of acceptance into an MFA program.

 

Atlantic Monthly: Best of the Best Graduate Programs in Creative Writing

 

On Choosing the Writing Program Best for You: Some good advice from D. W. Fenza, Director of AWP--The Association of Writers and Writing Programs.

 

UPENN information on the MFA degree

 

Micro Stories and MFA Disgust - a darn good tear down of the whole MFA thing by storySouth's Jason Sanford. 2004.

 

Explore:

 

 

Local Links (Florida, especially N.E. FL.)

 

Back Rack - Journals and Zines

Writers on Writing

 

Kurt Vonnegut on Writing a Short Story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyQ1wEBx1V0

 

Jack Kerouac: Writing Lesson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7IeCEvT_CM

 

Jorge Luis Borges: Excerpts from Harvard lectures. Mp3

 

Borges on Writing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo2Eo-G-1sE

 

Ray Bradbury on Writing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgkVNK6ViJk

 

Philip K. Dick: "How to Build a Universe That Doesn't Fall Apart Two Days Later": http://downlode.org/Etext/how_to_build.html

 

Bob Dylan: "The Song Talk Interview": http://www.interferenza.com/bcs/interw/1991zollo.htm

 

Henry James: "The Art of Fiction": http://guweb2.gonzaga.edu/faculty/campbell/engl462/artfiction.html

 

Mario Vargas Llosa: "Is Fiction the Art of Living?": http://partners.nytimes.com/books/98/06/28/specials/llosa-art.html

 

New York Times: A complete archive of the WRITERS ON WRITING COLUMN: http://www.nytimes.com/books/specials/writers.html

 

The Randy Newman Writing Style: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUnM5SV9trk

 

Orwell's 5 Rules for Effective Writing

 

 

 

 

 

More:

Barthelme samples on the web: Bless you, Jessamyn, and your site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Background image from "Valparaiso Sketch # 30," watercolor and crayon, 1995, by Mark Ari. c. 1995 by Mark Ari.

Music from "Incidental Music for The Rape Poems by Frances Driscoll," composed by Mark Ari,  c. 2000 by