Do I need an MFA to be a real artist?
The return of my very occasional advice column, "Can You Relate?"
“Can You Relate?” is an occasional advice column in which I answer your questions about writing, motivation, inspiration, audience-building, work-life balance, snack recommendations, and the zen of creating art. 💫
It’s been a busy few weeks with little time for newslettering, so I figured this was a good time to answer a few Qs from my queue. These were submitted a very long time ago (oops)—if you have fresh questions, send them in and I’ll try to answer in a more timely manner!
Hi Chrissy!
What would you say about starting an MFA to someone who's looking grumpily at 40? [Editor’s note: You’re probably 41 by now—sorrrrrry.]
Don’t do it! Just kidding. Kind of.
I started my MFA back in 2011, when I was 29, and I remember feeling like an ancient grandmother compared to my cohort, the majority of which were under the age of 25. (This is hysterical in retrospect—we were all absolute babies!!!)
At the time, I chose to get an MFA because I wanted to focus on my art, build friendships with other writers, and finally write a novel—everything you'd expect from an MFA. But I also wanted to quit an unsatisfying career as an academic librarian, leave Texas, and move back to the East Coast. I needed to make a huge sweeping change in my life, and entering an MFA program was a great way to do that.
I’m now 41, basically the same age as you, and blowing up my life in pursuit of an art degree doesn’t have quite the same allure. I like my life the way it is. I’m at a good place in my career, I own a home, my husband has a job he loves, and we’ve spent over a decade building a community in North Carolina. I’m pretty good at making time for my art, and don’t require an immersive experience to write a book. I’m also much more debt-adverse than I was in my 20s and 30s, which makes grad school far less attractive.
But maybe you’re different. Maybe you’ve never had that immersive experience, and you long for it. Maybe you need a big, sweeping change. Maybe you want to find a creative community, or learn from writers you admire, or prove to yourself that you can do it.
If I were considering an MFA today, I’d start by looking at low residency programs, the kind that meets in person for a week or two each semester, but the bulk of the work and writing is done independently. This might offer the best of both words—the benefits of the MFA degree, without the emotional and financial ruin of graduate school. But I would also remind myself that an MFA is only one path to being an artist, and it’s not a golden ticket or a permission slip. If you want to be a writer, you don't need a degree. You just need to write.
Hi Chrissy!
At what point would an MFA be most beneficial? When I already have a novel drafted or before, when I just have a few ideas?
Personally, I vote for the latter—the MFA is most beneficial when you have a few ideas. Think of it this way: part of the MFA is learning to be a better writer, being exposed to new ideas, unearthing hidden talents, trying wild things and seeing what sticks. If you’ve already written a draft, you might find yourself stuck with that book, unwilling to see beyond the story on the page, even as you’re growing and changing and learning.
The MFA should be a time of experiments, of generation. You’ll have the rest of your life to work on that novel. In my opinion, the best way to enter an MFA program is with an open mind and a blank page. It can be scary, but that’s sort of the point.
Montana Break
Speaking of MFAs, I've spent the last few days in Montana, traveling with my MFA BFF and our spouses for the wedding of another friend from our program. We spent one day soaking up incredible sights in Yellowstone, another day soaking up minerals at a hot spring, and two days celebrating the happy couple in a downright idyllic setting. A great trip, a great adventure, and maybe the greatest reason to get an MFA. 🤠
Relatable Recommendations
Reading: I just finished Birnam Wood, a literary thriller about an anarchist gardening collective, a billionaire doomsday prepper, and many shocking twists. This is exactly the kind of book I love—full of deep character studies, great dialogue, and interesting ideas. Highly recommended!
Growing: The remnants from Idalia tore up my tomatoes, but they’re somehow still growing. Alas, the summer garden is nearly at its end, and we’re starting to prep for fall. Thinking a season ahead is hard, but we’re getting better at it!
Eating: Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese. My favorite seasonal delight!
Feeling: Grateful for the opportunity to travel to a new place, for wonderful travel companions, for mini MFA reunions, for love and an excuse to celebrate it.
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👋 About Me: I’m Chrissy Hennessey, an enthusiastic snacker and native New Yorker living in coastal North Carolina, where I stayed after earning my MFA in 2014. My writing has appeared in a decent number of journals, I’ve received fellowships to some fancy residencies, and I’ve written three novels, all currently unpublished! This newsletter is a passion project I started in 2019 as a way to connect with readers and writers, share my creative journey, and build a community. Thank you for being here!
PS: At the end of each year, I donate 20% of anything I earn from this newsletter. I appreciate your support!