On Creative Writing Degrees

This week, both Maureen Johnson and Justine Larbalestier advised their blog readers not to pursue a degree in creative writing. Their basic thrust is that one becomes a writer by soaking up many different subjects and, of course, actually writing—not by having a diploma that says "Master/Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing." And that having a degree in creative writing will probably not get you a job out of college.

Anyway, as someone who majored in creative writing in undergrad, I have to disagree. Well, not disagree so much as tack on a few "buts." I know, Johnson and Larbalestier are bestselling authors, and I have never sold a book (yet). But. But.

But #1: There's nothing wrong with a BA in creative writing as long as you accept that it will not get you anywhere further than the average liberal arts degree these days—which is to say, not very far without several years' experience, an advanced degree, and/or some poverty along the way. But it won't necessarily get you less far, either. I believe you can become an entry-level corporate drone as readily with a creative writing degree as with a history, psychology, or dance therapy degree. My only college friends who professionally entered their field of study directly out of undergrad majored in computers, science, or engineering. (I didn't know any business majors, but maybe that goes for them, too.)

But #2: Once you're out of college and have spent several years in poverty and/or as a corporate drone and decide you're ready for a career that pays your bills but doesn't suck out your soul, you can look into a graduate program. At least from a humanities perspective, if you're smart and driven, grad schools don't give a flying farfetnugen what you majored in as an undergrad. I went to library school, which glories in generalism. I know CS and English majors who went back for MBAs. I know a music major who went back to school to become a nurse practitioner. College is a starting point, not an ending point. (And consider all that educational debt an investment in your sanity and financial security.)

But #3: Of course, this still doesn't solve the problem of becoming a writer, and I suppose that's probably those authors' point. No degree is a shortcut to publication, assuming that's something you desire. But here's the but: a creative writing program can give you that kick in the backside you need to formulate a writing routine and seriously hone your craft, as well as give you useful professional connections, to get you going. I take the Longstockings as a prime example. They all met in the New School's MFA program, and within a few years, most of them published critically acclaimed novels for young people. Could they have done it without the MFA? I'm sure they could have. But I don't hear a lot of regret coming from their corner, either.

As for me, I should say that I didn't just major in creative writing. I started out in computer science, then switched to psychology. I added creative writing mainly because I'd taken so many workshops by senior year that I thought I might as well make it official. My BS in psych, not the creative writing major, got me my first job out of college. But once I left that job, realizing psych research wasn't for me, I was left exactly where I would have been, money/career-wise, with just the creative writing major. (Which, as it happens, is a lot farther than most people can get without any college degree at all. I have never had to work at Wal-Mart—knock on wood.)

My primary mentor in undergrad, the author Hilary Masters, wasn't keen on MFA programs. His take was that writers in prestigious MFA workshops all come out sounding sort of the same. His advice was to practice, practice, practice on my own. It took several years past college for me to get really serious about practicing, but I'm finally getting there. Sometimes it's tempting to look into an MFA program because I'd like the professional guidance. But guidance can come from other places as well.

I guess my overall "but" is this:

But #4: A degree in creative writing may not help you. But it won't hurt you, either. Remember, everything's grist for the mill.