It’s time for me to work in the open again, so I am going to try to find some dialogue with you, whoever you are, existing reader. Hi, how are you?
Every few years, as I spin out about what it is I want to be and who I am and the work I should be doing and otherwise question my existence, I think about getting another Masters (or, God forbid, a PhD). The last couple of times this has happened, I’ve seriously considered going for a Masters in Creative Writing. Specifically, this one from Open University as it’s online, accredited, and I’ve heard good things about their programmes. Three years ago I went so far as to register and then decided last minute not to do it. At the time a friend said, “What do you need a degree in writing for? Just write.”
Since I’m on sabbatical and not earning any money at the moment, this time around I’ve been questioning the tuition. I’ve also been thinking about the hierarchy and structure of a Masters programme more generally. I asked a writer friend what she thought and she said something along the lines of “Do you really need someone telling you what to read and what to think about it?”
No, I actually don’t. But I need something. I looked at the Novelry (again), and I don’t think that is the motivation I need. Besides, my brain informed me that if I’m going to spend that kind of money, there better be a degree at the end of it.
Orly, Brain? You are dismissive of potentially learning about the industry and making connections, but value a degree? Interesting.
To shut my brain up by stuffing its mouth full, I’ve decided to make my own programme. Maybe I will award myself a degree. Or, hm, badges!? If universities can award honorary doctorates to random famous people for being famous, I can award myself things too. It will cost me time, but not money, unless we start talking about time being money, which at the moment, my time is assuredly not money.
So what does a programme for a writer who has her own body of work, sort of style and a tiny readership look like? What didn’t I learn decades ago when I wanted to get the hell out of my undergraduate programme and thus graduated one credit shy of a minor in English? What did I sleep through in AP English all those years ago?
I have started to design something that will help me deepen my craft, interrogate my own stories, and reflect on my legitimacy as a writer and an artist. I am trying to encourage myself to do this work in the open.
An Emergent Programme Arc
Initially I aimed to build out a unit every three months, but arbitrary time-based intentions are arbitrary. I started designing a programme arc last week and have already figured out the first several units. Since it’s my Not a Masters (NaM), I give myself permission to be both rigorous and flexible.
I intend to read a couple of books in each unit and do reflective writing assignments. I will look for an appropriate writing community to get some constructive criticism and peer feedback from. I want to gather some feedback from people who have really considered creative fiction because that’s what I like to write most, fiction. My own fiction. Anyone have any experience with Critique Match? Or a suggestion for a good writer focused slack channel?
Given that my brain had a specific response to the legitimacy of a writing programme versus a Masters degree programme, I’ve decided to start with an interior scan. I have internal stories about the legitimacy of art. I’m interested in what other mythologies and assumed knowledge I have lurking under the surface. After that, I will figure out what I don’t know about literary tools and techniques before smacking myself in the head with a form shift to screenwriting. Sometimes my ideas are scripts not books.
- Unit 1: The Stories I Tell Myself
- Unit 2: Literary Tools and Techniques
- Unit 3: Character & Plot Development (in progress)
- Unit 4: Genre & Form (suggestions? Will this reveal itself to me?)
- Unit 5: Writing for Script and Screen (no idea but maybe you do?)
- Unit 6: Industry Go Get ‘Emness (or whatever)