Do You Need an MFA to Become a Good Writer?

So you want to be a writer?

Every writers has to ask themselves the MFA question. But What is an MFA and do you really need one to become a good writer?

What is an MFA?

An MFA stands for Master of Fine Arts. It's a graduate degree that's offered in a variety of fields, including visual arts, performing arts, design, and creative writing. MFA programs typically take two to three years to complete and involve a combination of coursework, studio work, and independent study.

My MFA Experience

I got my MFA in Creative Writing from Hunter College in New York City. I chose Hunter because it was one of the few MFA programs in the country that offered a full scholarship to all admitted students. I was also drawn to the program's focus on diversity and inclusion.

My MFA experience was incredibly rewarding. I learned a lot about the craft of writing from my professors and fellow students. Those students are now my writing friends, and we try to meet once a month to read and workshop each other's work. If all I had to show for my two years at Hunter were the relationships I built with my fellow writers, it would still have been worth it. As a writer, the most valuable thing you can have is a community of people who are passionate about the craft and who are willing to offer you feedback on your work.

Will an MFA Improve Your Writing?

Whether or not an MFA will improve your writing depends on your individual goals and needs. If you are looking for a structured program that will teach you the fundamentals of writing, then an MFA may be a good option for you. However, if you are already a confident writer who is simply looking for feedback and support, then you may not need an MFA. What you probably need is a writing group.

Is an MFA Necessary to Become a Good Writer?

On the first day of class at Hunter, our workshop leader told us "you don't need this program to become a good writer." There are many successful writers who do not have an MFA like Abdulrazak Gurnah and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

The most important thing is to write regularly and to get feedback on your work from other writers. If you are serious about writing, then you should consider joining a writing group or taking a writing class.

Consistency is The Game

Whether or not you decide to get an MFA is a personal decision. There is no right or wrong answer. The most important thing is to do what is to first build the habit of writing regularly or developing the practice of sitting to write regularly– even if you don't write anything. Once you have a complete work, then your immediate next step is to have someone else read it and offer you feedback. This could be a good friend or a spouse. But the goal is always to be part of a writing group that hold you accountable to your own determined writing goals. Each one will help one!