Read this chapter before you invest in an MFA…

Provocative ideas from Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love), in her recent book, Creative Magic.

“Creative Living Beyond Fear” is relevant to anyone. Whether you already feel creatively confident, or are struggling to find your path as a painter, writer, entrepreneur, or anything else, the book transcends stereotypes about the creative life.

Is it really a good idea to seek a graduate degree in the arts? Ms. Gilbert appears to (mostly) think not. Fine if you are rich, or given a free ride, but she has deep reservations about anyone in the arts taking on massive debt.

I was able to get two graduate degrees (Sculpture, Therapy), and a five year professional degree in Architecture on the cheap in the late 70’s / early 80’s, but I probably wouldn’t spend 12 years in college at today’s prices.

If you are thinking of applying to a graduate program for Creative Writing, Art, etc., read this Chapter from Big Magic, and see if it changes your mind. The one thing an MFA can do, in my opinion is connect you with Your Tribe, of fellow creators. But Elizabeth seems to say, work very hard on your art, and then get out there and meet people, send letters and images as broadly as you can, and prepare for a lot of rejection, until something breaks through.