Happy New Year, writers!
As a creative writing teacher, I often work with students who are considering MFA programs. It’s a decision filled with questions: Will it make me a better writer? Is it worth the investment?
These are difficult questions to answer—even though I have an MFA—because each person's writing journey is unique. Since I struggle with how to address these questions, I’m thrilled to host author Jim Naremore on the blog today, as he's here to shed light on exactly that.
Jim brings a unique perspective, not just as a graduate of the Solstice MFA program from Laselle University but as an accomplished author whose latest novel, American Still Life, is already making waves.
In his guest post, “MFA: What Do Those Three Letters Get You?” Jim shares his candid insights about the MFA experience—what it taught him, how it shaped his writing life, and what aspiring writers should know before taking the plunge.
I’m glad to have Jim here to share his wisdom. Let’s dive into his perspective on what those three letters really mean.
Enjoy!
~Kaecey
MFA: What Do Those Three Letter Get You?
by Jim Naremore
The idea of getting an MFA in creative writing can be daunting. Burnout, time issues, money, and doubts about value and what the degree does for you as a writer can prevent anyone from taking what is admittedly a big step in getting an advanced art degree.
From the outset let me say that I do not believe that getting an MFA is necessary to be a “real” writer. I wrote and published over a dozen short stories and my first novel, which won awards, before I even thought about going for my MFA. Things like desire and diligence and curiosity are far more important than any degree, and no degree will make up for a lack of any of those. An MFA will not “make” you a writer. But it stands a very good chance of making you a better writer in a lot of ways, some more obvious than others.
"An MFA will not 'make' you a writer. But it stands a very good chance of making you a better writer in a lot of ways, some more obvious than others."
After spending years and considerable money getting a regular degree (or two or three), the idea of being burned out on school is real. But writing is a true calling, and if it’s something that is burning a hole in you to do, that will easily overcome any burnout. I wasn’t sure I was ready for school again when I signed up, but it was what I deeply wanted, and that love, and desire, carried me through many of my burnout issues. The cost issue is also real but realize that many traditional MFA programs can be tuition-free if you are willing to teach freshman comp or English 101 to the incoming class (MFAs also open up the world of teaching writing as a full time job in colleges), and dozens of fellowships and stipends exist to help differ the costs in programs where teaching isn’t offered as an option. The real question many writers grapple with is, however, value. Is getting the MFA worth it?
"The real question many writers grapple with is, however, value. Is getting the MFA worth it?"
As I said, no degree will make you a writer. Neither will it make you a dancer or a painter or a musician. The desire and an innate talent needs to be there, but I found at some point that I had gotten about as good as I was going to get on my own. Writing is lonely and doing the occasional workshop or class at a local writer’s center only gets so far, especially if you happen to be more experienced than other members of the group. Going into a good, accredited MFA program challenges you and it puts you in a group of other writers that are driven and talented as well. That’s very fertile ground. It took me out of my comfort zone and forced me to look at the infrastructure under the artform. I’ve taught the craft of writing a novel before and the first thing I present is the idea that there are no rules. The second thing I present is that there are a million rules and the better you know them the better writer you will become. Rule number one is art, rule number two is craft. The MFA is about craft. And the more firm your grasp of craft, the better your work will become. As a member of my cohort in my MFA said: “Meaningful writing is hard. The MFA taught meaningful writing.”
"Going into a good, accredited MFA program challenges you and it puts you in a group of other writers that are driven and talented as well."
The MFA has also given me a strong writing community of equally talented and serious writers that I continue to work with to this day, which might be the greatest value of all, and real connections in the writing and publishing world. Fairly or not, I think people take me more seriously.
Another component of this cannot be ignored: the Scarecrow effect. Remember at the end of The Wizard of Oz when the Scarecrow, who has gone throughout the movie lamenting his lack of a brain, is presented with a diploma by the exposed Wizard? Suddenly he has a brain! We all have nagging doubts about our ability, negative self-talk, fears of imposter syndrome. These can be crippling. I have found that going for and achieving my MFA has helped me take myself a bit more seriously (or maybe just “for real”) as a writer. Maybe I’ve got a brain after all!
"We all have nagging doubts about our ability, negative self-talk, fears of imposter syndrome. These can be crippling. I have found that going for and achieving my MFA has helped me take myself a bit more seriously (or maybe just 'for real') as a writer."
So, no. Getting an MFA will not make you Toni Morrison. But if you have the drive and the desire it can make you better than you already are, and it can open up new realities both outside yourself and inside. For me, it was worth the effort.
About Jim
With roots in the American deep south and the Midwest grounding his sense of place, Jim Naremore has published an array of short fiction and the award-winning novel The Arts of Legerdemain as Taught by Ghosts (Belle Lutte, 2016).
Jim holds an MFA from the Solstice program at Lasell University in Boston and currently lives with his partner and cat in New York’s Hudson River Valley.
Here's how to connect with Jim online:
His website: https://www.jim-naremore.com/
Instagram: @jim_naremore
About the Book
Trapped in a web of her own creation, Skade Felsdottir, a gifted but deeply troubled photojournalist, returns to a place she swore never to go back to: the town where she grew up—a town that forever hosts her darkest traumas and secrets—to try and finish a book project.
She reconnects, against her better judgment, with an old boyfriend, and meets a deeply traumatized and broken young woman, Kitten “Kit” Dyer: toweringly tall, awkward, achingly lonely, and savant-gifted as a puppet creator and puppeteer.
As Skade and Kit work feverishly to get Skade’s book finished before her deadline, the two of them begin a parallel journey toward healing together, until a shocking revelation and a critical failure of judgment put Skade on a tipping point between life and oblivion. We are all drowning, and we are all rescuers.
Title: American Still Life
Author: Jim Naremore
Publisher: Regal House Publishing (2024)
ISBN: 1646035054
ISBN: 978-1646035052
Print length: 296 pages
Enter this giveaway by January 19th to win a copy, or purchase a copy of American Still Life on:
You can also add American Still Life is to your Goodreads reading list!
Read More by Jim or Learn More About the Book:
Interesting in reading more from Jim or checking out reviews, giveaways, and excerpts from American Still Life? You can stop by The Muffin, or check out these remaining stops on the WOW! Blog Tour:
Have you read American Still Life? Or do you have thoughts on what Jim has to say about the MFA? Let me know by sending me a message or an email!
Happy Reading & Happy Writing!
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