The Disciplined Art of Creative Writing.
~ Catherine is a poet and prose writer whose writing
never fails to touch us. Her pen delves deep into the
heart of the emotional despair and ecstasies that
are inherent within all humans as works-in-progess.
Cynthia: Catherine, your prose is exquisite. Do you feel
the MFA programs have a paradigm set in stone and that
writers are redefined to adhere to this standard? Also,
if the poet's isn't a confident writer there is a chance of
the poet's own style not evolving into his/her own voice?
Catherine: Cynthia, thank you fo such a generous
introduction. This is quite a tricky question and I don't
think there is necessarily a right or wrong in whether one
chooses to utilise the experience and exposure of MFA
in their structure. However, I do think that different
programs will suit different types of writers, for example
some writers would respond better to a more flexible
approach while others might be suited better to the
more structured method. I feel it is important to do the
groundwork to find a course that matches your needs,
goals and objectives as a writer. In the main, I believe
you get out of the MFA program what you choose to
get out of it. Personally, I am a firm believer that to
master any discipline you need a good grounding and
knowledge in that discipline. In my opinion the MFA
program can provide a platform for acquiring that
knowledge through a process of analysis and critical
thinking. I have found that this course of study rather
than redifining me into a different writer has quite
simply enabled me to find my 'persona and voice'
as a writer [though in my mind, there is a tenable link
between 'redefining and the 'finding'] Therefore, as
much as my experience has been a positive one. I do
believe to be a quality writer you have to be a quality
reader. And, I guess the MFA program has worked for
me because it has encouraged me to read, read, read.
Coming from a non-literary background the
MFA has built my confidence as a bona fide writer
and honed by writing skills. To such an extent that
I would like to pursue a PhD in Creative Writing
after this MA as I would combine lecturing at my
University with the ongoing process of seeking
publication. Hence, I see the MFA as a valuable
investment to my writing, career aspirations.
Cynthia: Please share with the readers a typical day
in the MFA program.
Catherine: The breakdown of the MA/Poetry:
Writing Workshops [20 credits] involves working on
your own writing and submitting it for peer critique.
Reading PoetryI [20 credits] looking at modern poets
and their works; reflecting on how it might inform
your own writing.
Reading PoetryII [20 credits] looking at contemporary
poets and their works; and reflecting on how it might
infor your writing.
Text Portfolio II [20 credits] producing a portfolio via
a series of excerises, for example, a synopsis, a dust-
jacket/cover text, an author biography, etc.
Transmission Portfolio [40 credits] an independent
research unit that allows students to explore a
specific or different text form with an accompanying
critical essay.
Final Portfolio [60 credits] A complete poetry collection
of at least 1250 lines.
Another great support offered by the distance-learning
route at Manchester Metropolitan University is the
one-to-one tutorials where students have the wonderful
opportunity of 15 to 30 minutes of a professor's time to
give comment and feedback on submitted poems.
And of course, having portfolio supervision when working
on our final portfolios.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the academic rigor and
discipline of the MA process. The assessments have been
in the form of a critical and/or reflective essays, plus
the creative writing output. I particulary gained so much
from the Text Portfolio process as it focused my attention
on what it is I am trying to achieve with my work, in that
the main objective was to pitch our selves and work to
prospective agents and publishers.
The highlight has to be the Transmission Project where
I had the opportunity to explore the short story form
which I have found liberating and has become a strength
in my writing.
I spend about 10 - 12 hours a week on my creative
writing. Realistically, as much as I can manage with
around my full-time teaching job.
Cynthia: What is the poem, that as Emily Dickinson
writes "takes the top of your head off"?
Catherine: "No room has ever been as silent as the room/
Where hundreds of violins are hung in unison".
Terezin, by Michael Longley.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to share my
thoughts with your readers.
Cynthia: Thank you, Catherine for your detailed critique
into the MA/Poety Program. I can't wait to read a short
story collection authored by you.
*** Please refresh your spirit and read through the
heart-rendering poems written by Catherine on her blog-
http://walumba.blogspot.com/
* Catherine's short stories may be found here:
http://walumba.blogspot.com/search?q=short+story
