MFA Programs Creative Writing Workshops

MFA programs creative writing workshops have been around for decades, and competition for these programs is stiff. Thousands of writers apply for highly coveted scholarships and stipends to pay for their degrees. Some programs are part-time or low-residency, but these tend to cost money and not award as many financial scholarships to defray costs. During the program, students get structured feedback from peers and instructors, who themselves are published authors and publishing industry professionals. This feedback looks and feels very different from the friendly nods and snaps heard at open mic nights. It tends to be very rigorous in nature, so that writers can continue to hone their craft and improve.

The hallmark of the creative writing MFA is the writing workshop, where a small number of students gather in a room for several hours at a time to workshop one or more students’ submitted work. Through routine practice and access to feedback from dedicated writing peers and a teacher, writers develop a keener sense of their readers, learn how to translate their life or imagined experiences to the page, and develop good writing skills along the way. But MFA programs creative writing are not the only way to replicate this experience.

An Alternative to MFA Programs Creative Writing

However, writing workshops like Story Mastermind offer a more affordable and efficient alternative to the traditional MFA programs creative writing. Writing workshop intensives provide writers with the same level of feedback and instruction as a creative writing MFA, but in a shorter amount of time, and for less money. At Story Mastermind, these intensives are typically six months long and focus on providing writers with the tools they need to improve their storytelling craft. Writers also benefit from the support of a community of peers who are all working towards the same goal.

The writing notes that writers receive in a writing workshop intensive is just as valuable as the feedback they would receive in a traditional MFA program. It helps writers objectively evaluate their work and recognize their strengths and opportunities for growth as a writer. It also helps them to develop their skills and become better writers. Some writing workshops will also feature some focus on the publishing industry, and on getting published. A lot of MFA programs creative writing will not address industry questions or talk about manuscript submission, but this can be a missed opportunity, as many students want to publish.

For aspiring writers who want to get serious about their craft but don’t have the time or money to commit to a traditional MFA program, writing workshop intensives are a great alternative. They provide writers with the same level of MFA programs creative writing feedback and instruction, but in a shorter amount of time and at a fraction of the cost.