tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post60403603248146777..comments2024-01-01T11:51:53.860-08:00Comments on Babbles from Scott Eagan: Creative Writing Programs Need To Change FocusScott Eaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209357682070126879noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-22064452709825273952011-10-05T13:05:19.074-07:002011-10-05T13:05:19.074-07:00While I know or know of quite a few people who wer...While I know or know of quite a few people who were satisfied with their MFA program, the top complaint I've seen is that they were taught nothing about the business side of the equation. They knew how to write a great story and maybe a query, but beyond that, they were in the same boat as the rest of us amateurs. The economy is poor right now, and even people with "reliable" degrees are having trouble finding work. I'd be angry if I paid for an MFA program that didn't do all it could to prepare me for reality, especially because it's one of those degrees many would call "useless" because there's no guaranteed success from it.Kristin Laughtinhttp://kristinlaughtin.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-46928123185146344862011-10-05T08:21:00.130-07:002011-10-05T08:21:00.130-07:00I took some writing courses at my local college an...I took some writing courses at my local college and got the evil eye from the instructor each time I asked a fellow student who they saw as their audience. <br /><br />So while I agree with you about the need for business aspects in the writing programs, I feel that audience/readership potential should be addressed first.therese patrick, authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14624202282411832436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-50484712379856525312011-10-05T07:58:31.392-07:002011-10-05T07:58:31.392-07:00My undergrad was a BA in Arts and performance with...My undergrad was a BA in Arts and performance with an emphasis in Creative Writing. I think it helped my writing, but there was nothing available in the program that taught you how to make writing a career. I think that's a huge hole that should be filled.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1163829887162955058.post-54461581381682574552011-10-05T07:36:55.362-07:002011-10-05T07:36:55.362-07:00It's been my experience that working writers m...It's been my experience that working writers make the best teachers because they know plot, structure and character but they also know the business of writing. I'm with you one hundred percent, Scott. Writing for writing's sake is fine if you never expect to be published. But if you want a chance at creating commercial fiction, find an instructor who lives in the real world of writing.havenwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09982315911559750695noreply@blogger.com