Comments on: ISBW #17 - MFAs http://isbw.murlafferty.com/2005/12/19/isbw-17-mfas/ The podcast for wanna-be fiction writers by a writer who's still learning. Writer Mur Lafferty discusses rejection, cover letters and getting the oomph to keep going. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:00:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Anonymous http://isbw.murlafferty.com/2005/12/19/isbw-17-mfas/#comment-142 Anonymous Fri, 20 Jan 2006 15:01:01 +0000 http://isbw.murlafferty.com/?p=36#comment-142 Good points/bad points MFA<br/><br/>Good: terminal degree (like a PhD), gets you jobs in academia if you want<br/>Good: contacts with other writers, publishers, agents<br/>Good: a place to write for 1 or 2 years.<br/><br/>Bad: cost<br/>Bad: time<br/><br/>If you already make a living writing, why bother? If you want an academic job, you'll need it.<br/><br/>Listen to Susan Straight on the podcast "Writers on Writing" by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett. (on iTunes) She needed the MFA to get her to write. But that was when she was young and unpublished.<br/><br/>(Don't let your age fool you. No matter what you do, you'll be older next year. (As in, I'm 40, I'm too old to do X, Y or Z. I'll be 42 when I finish. You'll be 42 if you finish or not.) Good points/bad points MFA

Good: terminal degree (like a PhD), gets you jobs in academia if you want
Good: contacts with other writers, publishers, agents
Good: a place to write for 1 or 2 years.

Bad: cost
Bad: time

If you already make a living writing, why bother? If you want an academic job, you’ll need it.

Listen to Susan Straight on the podcast “Writers on Writing” by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett. (on iTunes) She needed the MFA to get her to write. But that was when she was young and unpublished.

(Don’t let your age fool you. No matter what you do, you’ll be older next year. (As in, I’m 40, I’m too old to do X, Y or Z. I’ll be 42 when I finish. You’ll be 42 if you finish or not.)

]]> By: Ali Al Saeed http://isbw.murlafferty.com/2005/12/19/isbw-17-mfas/#comment-121 Ali Al Saeed Thu, 29 Dec 2005 10:09:40 +0000 http://isbw.murlafferty.com/?p=36#comment-121 This is brilliant!<br/><br/>That's the way to do'em. Congrats on the sale, but most improtantly, congrats on this kick-ass concept.<br/><br/>Is this yet another twist in the re-shaping of literature and publishing? <br/><br/>Looks like it. :) This is brilliant!

That’s the way to do’em. Congrats on the sale, but most improtantly, congrats on this kick-ass concept.

Is this yet another twist in the re-shaping of literature and publishing?

Looks like it. :)

]]> By: Tara Alton http://isbw.murlafferty.com/2005/12/19/isbw-17-mfas/#comment-119 Tara Alton Fri, 23 Dec 2005 08:51:20 +0000 http://isbw.murlafferty.com/?p=36#comment-119 I love your podcast, and I listen to it all the time. Congrats on your first sale. I love your podcast, and I listen to it all the time. Congrats on your first sale.

]]> By: Jeff http://isbw.murlafferty.com/2005/12/19/isbw-17-mfas/#comment-118 Jeff Thu, 22 Dec 2005 19:08:54 +0000 http://isbw.murlafferty.com/?p=36#comment-118 Seeing as how I got mentioned by name on the show, it's a given I liked it. :)<br/><br/>I've hopefully clarified the sitch on the forum for going further. Seeing as how I got mentioned by name on the show, it’s a given I liked it. :)

I’ve hopefully clarified the sitch on the forum for going further.

]]> By: Nienke Hinton http://isbw.murlafferty.com/2005/12/19/isbw-17-mfas/#comment-117 Nienke Hinton Wed, 21 Dec 2005 20:48:37 +0000 http://isbw.murlafferty.com/?p=36#comment-117 I'm so happy I happened on your site. My favorite part is your sign off, "Thanks for listening. You should be writing." It's a kick in the ass I need often. <br/>I'll be back!<br/>Happy holidays. I’m so happy I happened on your site. My favorite part is your sign off, “Thanks for listening. You should be writing.” It’s a kick in the ass I need often.
I’ll be back!
Happy holidays.

]]> By: Anonymous http://isbw.murlafferty.com/2005/12/19/isbw-17-mfas/#comment-116 Anonymous Wed, 21 Dec 2005 00:58:56 +0000 http://isbw.murlafferty.com/?p=36#comment-116 Congrats on the first sale! And another good episode of ISBW. Looking forward to more insights and great interviews in '06.<br/> Have a great holiday for with the family. And take your own advice and relax and kickback (of course that's after you've gone out and bought all the gifts, wrapped them, cooked, and cleaned..and and...)<br/><br/>~Bill Congrats on the first sale! And another good episode of ISBW. Looking forward to more insights and great interviews in ‘06.
Have a great holiday for with the family. And take your own advice and relax and kickback (of course that’s after you’ve gone out and bought all the gifts, wrapped them, cooked, and cleaned..and and…)

~Bill

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