I totally forgot one important observation by Chip MacGregor. He has a theory I find verrrry interesting:
The reason there are almost no successful writers in their twenties is that MFA programs are stifling original voice. College grads are all taught to write in the same manner, and it takes several years for them to rediscover themselves.
It's lovely to hear another person--a man in authority--posit this. I had the same theory when I was making the decision to skip university and study writing and lit on my own. It wasn't an easy choice, but already I'm seeing the positive effects. 1) I've finished the first draft of a novel. What college student has time to write a novel? 2) I read for pleasure 24/7, classics and current hits. What college student has time to read? 3) I have a job as a children's librarian, and can save money, rather than dig myself into debt. What a head start on life!
I could go on. But I'll end with the swirling muse, maybe all the people who shook their heads when I didn't go to college will someday be reading a unique voice to their children ... who knows?
6 comments:
That *is* verrrry interesting. Hmm.
College has helped me a lot. I like to write, but I've discovered more about myself. Like the fact that I want to write nonfiction. Or possibly teach introductory college writing courses.
And one of my creative writing courses was entirely about experimenting. It opened my eyes to see ways I could go that I wouldn't have noticed before. I was able to write things and find a different voice--still unique, but I realized I didn't have to play in genre conventions so much.
And I've written almost three novels while in college and I don't have any debt. So I guess it's worked for me.
But interesting points. I agree with a lot of what your saying. Just offering another viewpoint here. . .
Wow, it has worked for you, Heather!
(I found it interesting that MacGregor said this while speaking at a college, btw. :)
But I think that the majority of high school grads feel impelled to attend college, as if there were no other options. For some, it's the right option. For others, it's not. And in the process of funneling everyone into university, many voices are distracted.
Fair enough? It's still a theory, of course. :)
Yes, Noel, quite probably mothers will be reading your fresh voice to their kiddies some time soon. But then, you are probably better educated than many college grads even though you've not gone to college.
The voice stifling can happen anywhere--crit groups, for instance. They all seem to want to Browne and King people. But you are not a woman to be stifled, I'm thinking.
Maybe I'm being nitpicky, and I love Chip MacGregor (and am currently not a serious writer myself--just a college student who loves books and keeps up with the industry), but I'm not sure I fully get this quote--MFA's are Master's degree programs, which is grad school, not college. And I think there are two different things going on here. You can be a college grad without having your voice stifled by an MFA program, because LOTS of college grads don't go on to Master's programs at all.
But I'm inclined to say your voice might be stifled by college (academic) writing, and encouraged by MFA-type programs that focus on creative writing. Offhand, I can think of a group of fantastic writers (The Longstockings?) who met and honed their craft through an MFA program.
Although, obviously, neither is at all necessary to be a great writer, and you seem like you're well on your way without. :)
Just my two cents on the nuances of the issue. Love your blog, by the way. I'm a bit of a lurker.
Hey, Sally and shk, thanks for stopping by. I agree that voice stifling can happen anywhere--for example, when I was madly in love with LM Montgomery, I wrote JUST like her. It was ... bad.
Shk, you're being cruel and forcing me to confess that I may not have remembered MacGregor's exact wording when I wrote down his theory several hours after he spoke. :) Hear ye, hear ye, I admit to posting information that was not double-checked (it was a crazy weekend). MacGregor could very well have said MFA, or just college. I seriously don't remember. *sob* My reputation for truth-telling is ruined. But thank you for pointing this out, and adding your two cents. Much appreciated--lurkers welcome!
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