I haven't finished watching the video yet, but I want to say thank you so much for being willing to share your experience with an MFA despite your bad experiences with sharing your experiences (which is absolutely insane and I am so sorry that happened to you). I am excited to hear what your MFA has been like so far, especially as someone considering doing one! So again, thank you!
You would be an AMAZING writing professor. I’m in college right now and I just know you teaching a class would feel like a life changing piece of my education! I’m a nursing student but I dream of writing a novel one day too
@@kv2661 thank you so much, being able to be a writing professor is a dream of mine and I’m hoping I get the chance to teach the class I’m designing since I’m really excited about it!!
i always considered doing an mfa after i had a great creative writing workshop experience in uni but realized the environment wouldn't be right for me. i love listening to you speak about your mfa experience! i have found that as my online presence grows, my content reaches people who have many... grievances lol.... that they feel they must air in my comments sections. it's tough and demotivating and makes me reconsider sometimes if being online is worth it. your channel is one of my favourites in the writing community!
Honestly the “I just wanted to” feeling for you seeking your MFA is so validating. I always felt like I had to give a concrete reason for getting my bachelors or even going to college, but it does turn out I just wanted to. I never thought of it that way because I wasn’t allowed to. Thanks for opening up that mindset for me!
I always felt the same way - people would always ask why I was studying writing (both during my undergrad and when I decided to go back to school) and seemed to only accept a professional reason, like people would raise an eyebrow until I said something like "I want to be an editor!" or "I want to become a professor!" then they'd be like "oh wow that's amazing good for you!" But the idea you might want to study something just out of interest/passion is hard for a lot of people to grasp, like education is only valid if it'll make you money down the line lol. And those career things were true but I've started to own that a main reason for me is simply that it's what I want and that's enough reason in and of itself!
Can I just say… pursuing a degree because you personally find academic environments enriching and rewarding and simply want to do it… is such a refreshing attitude towards educational attainment. Like, why do we have to treat education as merely a means to a six-figrue employment ROI or otherwise you’re “throwing away” time and money? Why not pursue something because it is fun and fulfilling and because you can? Anyways, thanks so much for this Q&A! Inspiring and informative. Best of luck in your studies! 📓
I imagine mostly due to the sheer cost of it, so for my degree i'm set to be in about £70k of debt by the end of it, probably more. So if i'm not going to be able to earn enough to pay off that debt then my life would potentially be worse off for having done that degree. If you can do a degree simply to enrich yourself on a more personal and fulfilment level then great, more power to you. But not everyone is either in the financial position to do that or is comfortable risking their future financial stability for it and that's okay too. Too make a long point short, no one is in the position to judge what direction people decide to take there lives and I wish everyone the best of luck in their chosen paths.
holy shit! I’m only at 3:46 and I had no idea that was happening. I’m sorry you have to make these kinds of disclaimers. I will never understand how some people can be so outrageously horrible to each other 😰 sometimes I want to make videos but stuff like this is entirely why I don’t. you’re much more resilient than I can imagine being
Great commentary on "MFA vs Real World." I'm currently back in school getting my Bachelor's while still working at a "Real World" job. I think people picture college as campus life, when that isn't the case for a lot of students.
thank you for this long and juicy video, it has been super helpful! seriously, you'd be an awesome professor, you're teaching on this channel relatively non-professionally and it's already helped so many people including myself! your advice is very clear, unique, and in-depth! it's good that you're balancing various aspects of your life, even if you have to step away from this channel, we'll all still be here for when you have more time to make more content. good luck on your MFA! :]]
Hey, thanks so much! I really hope you'll do another video checking in between terms or between years at least. It would be great to hear your thoughts about how it's going. Thanks again
What I love about your Videos Shaelin is your honesty with your good and bad experiences. I've been following your journey for quite a while now (I don't even know how many years it has been). It's interesting to hear what an MFA looks like in your country. I'm from Germany, and it's always exciting to hear how education works in other places/countries. So thank you for sharing your experience. :) I study communication design at a public college (as I said, I'm from Germany). After finishing my bachelor's in a few years (hopefully), I would love to do my master's degree. I started studying design because I WANTED TO, simply as that. At first, relatives asked me if a design major was worth going to college for and if I could even find a job after finishing my degree (yes you can!), but that didn't stop me from trying.
Thank you, I am considering applying for a MFA, so coming across your video makes me happy. Thank you for your words lots to consider, and I am glad you made the video..
Listened to this as if it were a podcast. Creating content for the internet is exasperating; I don't know how you do it without having a psychotic breakdown and setting your enemies on fire. You've explained point-blank to the haters why hating you doesn't do any good but by Murphy's Law a few of them will still trip balls and preach rage to their choir. It's contagious and it resists modern medicine. Totally valid that the academic world is your comfort zone. You've clearly been treading your own path quite confidently. Self-taught skills are often self-rewards. It also serves as a beacon to others in your field. I can vouch that you've taught me a number of helpful disciplines I use in my work. Putting down roots and having them actually stick must be nice. Other people are very fickle ... your personal relationships are none of my business, so take this observation with a grain of salt, but I'm willing to bet the appeal of staying in Canada (outside the MFA) is that maybe you've built to a place where this other person you're seeing won't abandon you when you need her most. That's rare. To keep the definition of 'genre' clear in my head from 'format', I tend to refer to an overall format as the 'medium'. Not telling us the details of your thesis is a good call in part because when it's over, you can surprise us with an awesomely polished story concept that literally earned you an MFA. (I use the word 'surprise' because in 4 years I'll probably be too mentally gone to remember this conversation.) Selection committees! While I can't directly answer the 30:18 person's Q either, I have noticed from experience (trying to get plays produced and earn a living) how most committees are out of touch from the reality of their power. They *will* gatekeep with a total disregard for the impact on those submitting. Don't hold your breath for their empathy, and the further their group falls in the "public" or "non-profit" category, the less you should expect them to accept you based on skill.
This is so exciting Shaelin!! I look forward to whatever you decide to share during your MFA! I've been following you since my undergrad days back in 2015-2020 and I remember reading your Tumblr asks and story updates. For me, you've been a constant light and source of inspiration. Not just as a Canadian writer/authortuber but also as a queer writer. You've given me the final push to start pursuing an MFA. I've always regretted skipping out on a Creative Writing Degree (I have a BA in English/French Literature and a Master's in French Literature from the University of Toronto.) So thank you so much! Whenever I'll get to publish my books, you will definitely be featured in my acknowledgment section and I hope that will be well received on your end? (I don't want to make you uncomfy!!) I can't wait to read and purchase all of your books once they hit shelves! - Sandra, 27, Toronto ✍🏼
People suck so bad to give you any kind of hate for your videos, I find you super inspiring and I've binge watched like all your writing videos! Yet to start writing though 😆 I think maybe soon!
I thoroughly enjoyed this video and I think it’s fantastic that you are pursuing an MFA! I wish you the best of luck in your journey. (I’m even debating whether or not pursuing a masters degree is something I want to do in the future for myself, which is why I enjoy watching videos like this because I like hearing about other people’s experiences who are pursuing masters degrees). I also 100% respect your decision to keep certain details private regarding your MFA program - I think it’s awful that you went through/experienced hate and other horrible things just because you happen to be a UA-camr/have a UA-cam channel, you don’t deserve any of that. Thank you for sharing and creating such an informative video. (And yes, I watched the whole thing).
Shaelin I know you talked about many things for an hour but the most important thing to say is that you looked so fierce. That is a super nice shirt! I also would be interested to know what you submitted in your portfolio to the school you got accepted to/are currently going to. Were they pieces you've already published? Of course, you don't have to share if you don't want to, but I'm curious!
I had a fairly good amount of space for that portfolio so was able to submit a lot of work! I submitted the first chapter of Honey Vinegar (my thesis project is a sort of 'thematic sequel' to that book so that's why I included it, and I knew both my references would talk about it and so I wanted to back up their claims. It's also a more traditional piece that I think showcases very strong character, prose, and setting work), Landline (a short story that'll be published this month (!!) that I picked because it's an experimental form and in a more comic tone, with a lighter/sparser style, so I think it really showcased both my range of style and also interest in experimental forms, which my thesis is) and finally You Know Where Your Body is Buried (published last year, it's one of my most recent short stories and I think an overall very strong but also conceptually unique piece that is very indicative of my interests as a writer - weird, off-kilter, morally obscure characters told in a very intimate pov). Ultimately I think you want to go with your best work, but since I had a lot of spare I tried to pick three pieces that showed different qualities and my range as a writer. I think I used some of the same ones for other schools, but because they all had different requirements it changed a bit school to school.
Omg I haven't watched the video yet but I'm SO SO hyped for more Shaelin content!! I'm so happy that you get to focus on yourself, your studies, your beautiful girlfriend, but I must admit authortube is kinda lonely without you :')) Also, I must thank you and Rachel and Kris for enlighting your experience with studying writing because rn I'm in my last year of undergrad as a philo major and I've decided that I would pursue an MFA in writing here in France where creative writing is a very shy topic (they still believe in the writing prodigy myth) and is taught in very few universties (mine being one of them ahhh)
I am currently at my first full time job with my first book on submission and it really feels like I'm going through the motions waiting for my book to sell and change my life. It's ruined my connection to writing. Everyone says start your next book while on sub, and I have, but none of them have given me the joy that my first 2 books unagented did. Hopefully I sell this book, and first find my love for my work again.
@@Shardai_smith I totally relate to this, being on submission is by far the hardest thing I’ve done as a writer, I’m sure it’ll be worth it in the end (for both of us!) but I totally understand how brutal being in sub can feel
Funding was very important to me when applying for my MFA. I have been lucky to go to a school with full funding (no tuition + a sizable living stipend) for all three years (I’m in the states and some programs are two or three years). And I do not have to teach to receive my funding, which is great for me because I do not want to teach. I only wanted to focus on my craft. Looking forward to graduating next spring!
I have been thinking about getting an MFA after a very extended time off from school and also not to necessarily get a job but for personal fulfillment so it was great to hear your thoughts on this!
No matter which path you choose, good luck! I don't think it's ever too late to go back for an MFA so that path is always there if/when you decide it's the right time!
I have a question. My professors said my flash fiction could "absolutely be published in the right magazine," but I know it's extremely light on plot-taking place in a car with no dialogue-and could maybe be considered prose poetry. Will that turn most magazines off?
Most flash fiction is either very light on plot or doesn't really have a plot at all! Flash fiction often functions more like poetry (and the line between flash fiction and prose poem is...murky haha) in that it's more about an emotional shift or turn. So, as long as you submit to magazines that accept flash fiction (which many do) you should be good! If you're looking for a magazine suggestion, I had success publishing no-plot/no dialogue flash fiction in Vagabond City Lit.
Good luck with your MFA - you are still young and it’s probably a good idea (I would not be able to do so - due to my age) I am 45, wouldn’t finish til 50 five years from senior citizen (LOL), I hope to graduate at 45, put in 29 year work and retire at 65, with a decent retirement. I started late, but I do not have regrets - but if I was younger I would BFA/MFA. So, I wish you the best.
Just saw your video and have enjoyed others you've made. As for the naysayers, "The good thing about the internet is it is open to everyone, the bad thing about the internet is it is open to everyone". Keep up the good work. I'll leave you this: A few years ago I took classes that completely changed my life for the good. During this time I had people say negative things about it. When I asked them if they had attended any of the classes they vehemently responded NO WAY! After that I realized if one really wants to know about classes or any other form of education, just ask someone who had never attended them! (lol) l I'm sorry you even had to respond to someone who feels the need to challenge you and apologize for their lack of class and social etiquette.
Sorry this comment is kinda irrelevant to the video. It's just that, after watching this Q&A, I'm thinking about my own life. I'm an undergrad in psychology right now. There's a lot of pressure to get research experience before I graduate (which sucks because I have none, it's competitive, and I don't even WANT to do research in the future). The thing is, if anything, I feel like creative writing is my research. I'm so much more compelled by the idea of exploring human psychology and various human experiences through unpacking complex characters instead of surveys/experiments. And, instead of research, my education in psychology could be used for direct patient/client care. That's my vision for my life... My hope is to get a master's in mental health counseling or something similar. I will probably never officially publish anything in my life but if I could make a little bit of change on the side online with writing and art, that'd be really cool. It's so inspiring and terrifying to hear you talk about your future because mine personally feels so uncertain. I want to look at academia in the same way you do, and I want to use academia to truly immerse myself in what I want to spend my life doing. But right now, all I can think about are the 0 potential references I have, my unremarkable GPA that's likely worsening after this semester, my 0 internships, and my scattered work experience. I'm just a little scared for the future, I guess. Sorry for the vent, and thank you for this video.
Did you use the same statement of purpose for all of your apps? I've seen advice suggesting its best to personalize them to the uni you're applying to and I was wondering how much stock to put into it
I personalized them! All the schools I applied to had different word counts for the statement, and I also personalized them to talk about why that specific program was of interest to me. However, I kept the main points the same.
To the uninitiated (me), just hearing the whole idea of discovery writing named as a thing is propulsion toward, I'm not sure what ... completion?? (Not actually sure if the mention of discovery writing was in this video or elsewhere(s).)
Maybe the reason why some people are so strongly against MFA’s is because they themselves or someone they know applied and got rejected? The art school I attended accepts around 20% of applications, out of roughly 1000, so they reject around 800 people a year. Most of those will be mature enough not to take that personally, but I sure have met some people over the years who got weirdly upset just because I mentioned I studied there, and gave me this whole monologue on everything wrong with art education. Of course online it’s even easier to form a small but very vocal minority of irrationally angry people.
@@StayCalmxd it happened like…multiple times too!! wilddddd behaviour I can’t imagine the thought process behind being that mad about a stranger getting their BA in writing lmao
I think you can block words from your channel so I recommend blocking the name of your uni/city and a few others people might guess so people don’t talk about it. You can review the blocked comments if you want to block the people as well
I haven't finished watching the video yet, but I want to say thank you so much for being willing to share your experience with an MFA despite your bad experiences with sharing your experiences (which is absolutely insane and I am so sorry that happened to you). I am excited to hear what your MFA has been like so far, especially as someone considering doing one! So again, thank you!
Wow! 😨😨I've been watching reedsy for years but I didn't know you had a personal channel, I'm glad to be here!
You would be an AMAZING writing professor. I’m in college right now and I just know you teaching a class would feel like a life changing piece of my education! I’m a nursing student but I dream of writing a novel one day too
@@kv2661 thank you so much, being able to be a writing professor is a dream of mine and I’m hoping I get the chance to teach the class I’m designing since I’m really excited about it!!
i always considered doing an mfa after i had a great creative writing workshop experience in uni but realized the environment wouldn't be right for me. i love listening to you speak about your mfa experience! i have found that as my online presence grows, my content reaches people who have many... grievances lol.... that they feel they must air in my comments sections. it's tough and demotivating and makes me reconsider sometimes if being online is worth it. your channel is one of my favourites in the writing community!
Honestly the “I just wanted to” feeling for you seeking your MFA is so validating. I always felt like I had to give a concrete reason for getting my bachelors or even going to college, but it does turn out I just wanted to. I never thought of it that way because I wasn’t allowed to. Thanks for opening up that mindset for me!
I always felt the same way - people would always ask why I was studying writing (both during my undergrad and when I decided to go back to school) and seemed to only accept a professional reason, like people would raise an eyebrow until I said something like "I want to be an editor!" or "I want to become a professor!" then they'd be like "oh wow that's amazing good for you!" But the idea you might want to study something just out of interest/passion is hard for a lot of people to grasp, like education is only valid if it'll make you money down the line lol. And those career things were true but I've started to own that a main reason for me is simply that it's what I want and that's enough reason in and of itself!
Can I just say… pursuing a degree because you personally find academic environments enriching and rewarding and simply want to do it… is such a refreshing attitude towards educational attainment. Like, why do we have to treat education as merely a means to a six-figrue employment ROI or otherwise you’re “throwing away” time and money? Why not pursue something because it is fun and fulfilling and because you can?
Anyways, thanks so much for this Q&A! Inspiring and informative. Best of luck in your studies! 📓
I imagine mostly due to the sheer cost of it, so for my degree i'm set to be in about £70k of debt by the end of it, probably more. So if i'm not going to be able to earn enough to pay off that debt then my life would potentially be worse off for having done that degree. If you can do a degree simply to enrich yourself on a more personal and fulfilment level then great, more power to you. But not everyone is either in the financial position to do that or is comfortable risking their future financial stability for it and that's okay too. Too make a long point short, no one is in the position to judge what direction people decide to take there lives and I wish everyone the best of luck in their chosen paths.
holy shit! I’m only at 3:46 and I had no idea that was happening. I’m sorry you have to make these kinds of disclaimers. I will never understand how some people can be so outrageously horrible to each other 😰
sometimes I want to make videos but stuff like this is entirely why I don’t. you’re much more resilient than I can imagine being
Great commentary on "MFA vs Real World." I'm currently back in school getting my Bachelor's while still working at a "Real World" job. I think people picture college as campus life, when that isn't the case for a lot of students.
I’m graduating from my MFA in January and it’s been the best experience of my life. Excited for you!
My perfect life would be going to school forever. I completely understand your desire to go back for an MFA. Go, Shaelin!
you get me because SAME
Ahh, this is so great. I send my application this month and have been needing this. 💜 such nice timing. Thank you!
Good luck!! Thanks for taking the time to post new content while working your ass off!
thank you for this long and juicy video, it has been super helpful! seriously, you'd be an awesome professor, you're teaching on this channel relatively non-professionally and it's already helped so many people including myself! your advice is very clear, unique, and in-depth!
it's good that you're balancing various aspects of your life, even if you have to step away from this channel, we'll all still be here for when you have more time to make more content. good luck on your MFA! :]]
Hey, thanks so much! I really hope you'll do another video checking in between terms or between years at least. It would be great to hear your thoughts about how it's going. Thanks again
😢😢😢 the bit about the response from publishers. You’re such an amazing writer and amazing person. You will sell books. 🤞🏼🙏🏼
What I love about your Videos Shaelin is your honesty with your good and bad experiences. I've been following your journey for quite a while now (I don't even know how many years it has been). It's interesting to hear what an MFA looks like in your country. I'm from Germany, and it's always exciting to hear how education works in other places/countries. So thank you for sharing your experience. :)
I study communication design at a public college (as I said, I'm from Germany). After finishing my bachelor's in a few years (hopefully), I would love to do my master's degree. I started studying design because I WANTED TO, simply as that. At first, relatives asked me if a design major was worth going to college for and if I could even find a job after finishing my degree (yes you can!), but that didn't stop me from trying.
Thank you, I am considering applying for a MFA, so coming across your video makes me happy. Thank you for your words lots to consider, and I am glad you made the video..
Listened to this as if it were a podcast.
Creating content for the internet is exasperating; I don't know how you do it without having a psychotic breakdown and setting your enemies on fire. You've explained point-blank to the haters why hating you doesn't do any good but by Murphy's Law a few of them will still trip balls and preach rage to their choir. It's contagious and it resists modern medicine.
Totally valid that the academic world is your comfort zone. You've clearly been treading your own path quite confidently.
Self-taught skills are often self-rewards. It also serves as a beacon to others in your field. I can vouch that you've taught me a number of helpful disciplines I use in my work.
Putting down roots and having them actually stick must be nice. Other people are very fickle ... your personal relationships are none of my business, so take this observation with a grain of salt, but I'm willing to bet the appeal of staying in Canada (outside the MFA) is that maybe you've built to a place where this other person you're seeing won't abandon you when you need her most. That's rare.
To keep the definition of 'genre' clear in my head from 'format', I tend to refer to an overall format as the 'medium'.
Not telling us the details of your thesis is a good call in part because when it's over, you can surprise us with an awesomely polished story concept that literally earned you an MFA. (I use the word 'surprise' because in 4 years I'll probably be too mentally gone to remember this conversation.)
Selection committees! While I can't directly answer the 30:18 person's Q either, I have noticed from experience (trying to get plays produced and earn a living) how most committees are out of touch from the reality of their power. They *will* gatekeep with a total disregard for the impact on those submitting. Don't hold your breath for their empathy, and the further their group falls in the "public" or "non-profit" category, the less you should expect them to accept you based on skill.
This is so exciting Shaelin!! I look forward to whatever you decide to share during your MFA! I've been following you since my undergrad days back in 2015-2020 and I remember reading your Tumblr asks and story updates. For me, you've been a constant light and source of inspiration. Not just as a Canadian writer/authortuber but also as a queer writer. You've given me the final push to start pursuing an MFA. I've always regretted skipping out on a Creative Writing Degree (I have a BA in English/French Literature and a Master's in French Literature from the University of Toronto.) So thank you so much! Whenever I'll get to publish my books, you will definitely be featured in my acknowledgment section and I hope that will be well received on your end? (I don't want to make you uncomfy!!) I can't wait to read and purchase all of your books once they hit shelves! - Sandra, 27, Toronto ✍🏼
I'd be honoured to be featured in your acknowledgements - please reach out when you publish so I can pick up a copy!!
@@ShaelinWrites Of course!! Thank you so much ♥
People suck so bad to give you any kind of hate for your videos, I find you super inspiring and I've binge watched like all your writing videos! Yet to start writing though 😆 I think maybe soon!
you're such an inspiration, Shaelin - so thoughtful, so considered
I thoroughly enjoyed this video and I think it’s fantastic that you are pursuing an MFA! I wish you the best of luck in your journey. (I’m even debating whether or not pursuing a masters degree is something I want to do in the future for myself, which is why I enjoy watching videos like this because I like hearing about other people’s experiences who are pursuing masters degrees). I also 100% respect your decision to keep certain details private regarding your MFA program - I think it’s awful that you went through/experienced hate and other horrible things just because you happen to be a UA-camr/have a UA-cam channel, you don’t deserve any of that. Thank you for sharing and creating such an informative video. (And yes, I watched the whole thing).
Shaelin I know you talked about many things for an hour but the most important thing to say is that you looked so fierce. That is a super nice shirt!
I also would be interested to know what you submitted in your portfolio to the school you got accepted to/are currently going to. Were they pieces you've already published? Of course, you don't have to share if you don't want to, but I'm curious!
I had a fairly good amount of space for that portfolio so was able to submit a lot of work! I submitted the first chapter of Honey Vinegar (my thesis project is a sort of 'thematic sequel' to that book so that's why I included it, and I knew both my references would talk about it and so I wanted to back up their claims. It's also a more traditional piece that I think showcases very strong character, prose, and setting work), Landline (a short story that'll be published this month (!!) that I picked because it's an experimental form and in a more comic tone, with a lighter/sparser style, so I think it really showcased both my range of style and also interest in experimental forms, which my thesis is) and finally You Know Where Your Body is Buried (published last year, it's one of my most recent short stories and I think an overall very strong but also conceptually unique piece that is very indicative of my interests as a writer - weird, off-kilter, morally obscure characters told in a very intimate pov). Ultimately I think you want to go with your best work, but since I had a lot of spare I tried to pick three pieces that showed different qualities and my range as a writer. I think I used some of the same ones for other schools, but because they all had different requirements it changed a bit school to school.
wow thank you so much for uploading this video ! currently applying for MFA programs and feeling stressssed
GOOD LUCK
Omg I haven't watched the video yet but I'm SO SO hyped for more Shaelin content!! I'm so happy that you get to focus on yourself, your studies, your beautiful girlfriend, but I must admit authortube is kinda lonely without you :')) Also, I must thank you and Rachel and Kris for enlighting your experience with studying writing because rn I'm in my last year of undergrad as a philo major and I've decided that I would pursue an MFA in writing here in France where creative writing is a very shy topic (they still believe in the writing prodigy myth) and is taught in very few universties (mine being one of them ahhh)
I am currently at my first full time job with my first book on submission and it really feels like I'm going through the motions waiting for my book to sell and change my life. It's ruined my connection to writing. Everyone says start your next book while on sub, and I have, but none of them have given me the joy that my first 2 books unagented did. Hopefully I sell this book, and first find my love for my work again.
@@Shardai_smith I totally relate to this, being on submission is by far the hardest thing I’ve done as a writer, I’m sure it’ll be worth it in the end (for both of us!) but I totally understand how brutal being in sub can feel
Funding was very important to me when applying for my MFA. I have been lucky to go to a school with full funding (no tuition + a sizable living stipend) for all three years (I’m in the states and some programs are two or three years). And I do not have to teach to receive my funding, which is great for me because I do not want to teach. I only wanted to focus on my craft. Looking forward to graduating next spring!
My program is interdisciplinary. We have to take workshops outside the genre we applied with.
A Shaelin video! YAY!
Glad you’re having a great experience so far! I’m in my second year of my MFA and I love it, I’m so sad it’s almost over 😢
so glad you've had a great experience
I have been thinking about getting an MFA after a very extended time off from school and also not to necessarily get a job but for personal fulfillment so it was great to hear your thoughts on this!
No matter which path you choose, good luck! I don't think it's ever too late to go back for an MFA so that path is always there if/when you decide it's the right time!
"I don't know what I don't know that I don't know"
-Shaelin, 2024
I have a question. My professors said my flash fiction could "absolutely be published in the right magazine," but I know it's extremely light on plot-taking place in a car with no dialogue-and could maybe be considered prose poetry. Will that turn most magazines off?
Most flash fiction is either very light on plot or doesn't really have a plot at all! Flash fiction often functions more like poetry (and the line between flash fiction and prose poem is...murky haha) in that it's more about an emotional shift or turn. So, as long as you submit to magazines that accept flash fiction (which many do) you should be good! If you're looking for a magazine suggestion, I had success publishing no-plot/no dialogue flash fiction in Vagabond City Lit.
Good luck with your MFA - you are still young and it’s probably a good idea (I would not be able to do so - due to my age) I am 45, wouldn’t finish til 50 five years from senior citizen (LOL), I hope to graduate at 45, put in 29 year work and retire at 65, with a decent retirement. I started late, but I do not have regrets - but if I was younger I would BFA/MFA. So, I wish you the best.
Just saw your video and have enjoyed others you've made. As for the naysayers, "The good thing about the internet is it is open to everyone, the bad thing about the internet is it is open to everyone". Keep up the good work. I'll leave you this: A few years ago I took classes that completely changed my life for the good. During this time I had people say negative things about it. When I asked them if they had attended any of the classes they vehemently responded NO WAY! After that I realized if one really wants to know about classes or any other form of education, just ask someone who had never attended them! (lol) l I'm sorry you even had to respond to someone who feels the need to challenge you and apologize for their lack of class and social etiquette.
Video was made specifically for me.
Shaelin out of context: "There was some werewolf erotica 😶🍵"
Sorry this comment is kinda irrelevant to the video. It's just that, after watching this Q&A, I'm thinking about my own life.
I'm an undergrad in psychology right now. There's a lot of pressure to get research experience before I graduate (which sucks because I have none, it's competitive, and I don't even WANT to do research in the future). The thing is, if anything, I feel like creative writing is my research. I'm so much more compelled by the idea of exploring human psychology and various human experiences through unpacking complex characters instead of surveys/experiments. And, instead of research, my education in psychology could be used for direct patient/client care.
That's my vision for my life... My hope is to get a master's in mental health counseling or something similar. I will probably never officially publish anything in my life but if I could make a little bit of change on the side online with writing and art, that'd be really cool.
It's so inspiring and terrifying to hear you talk about your future because mine personally feels so uncertain. I want to look at academia in the same way you do, and I want to use academia to truly immerse myself in what I want to spend my life doing. But right now, all I can think about are the 0 potential references I have, my unremarkable GPA that's likely worsening after this semester, my 0 internships, and my scattered work experience. I'm just a little scared for the future, I guess. Sorry for the vent, and thank you for this video.
Please let the hair GROW!!
Shut up
Did you use the same statement of purpose for all of your apps? I've seen advice suggesting its best to personalize them to the uni you're applying to and I was wondering how much stock to put into it
I personalized them! All the schools I applied to had different word counts for the statement, and I also personalized them to talk about why that specific program was of interest to me. However, I kept the main points the same.
To the uninitiated (me), just hearing the whole idea of discovery writing named as a thing is propulsion toward, I'm not sure what ... completion?? (Not actually sure if the mention of discovery writing was in this video or elsewhere(s).)
Maybe the reason why some people are so strongly against MFA’s is because they themselves or someone they know applied and got rejected? The art school I attended accepts around 20% of applications, out of roughly 1000, so they reject around 800 people a year. Most of those will be mature enough not to take that personally, but I sure have met some people over the years who got weirdly upset just because I mentioned I studied there, and gave me this whole monologue on everything wrong with art education. Of course online it’s even easier to form a small but very vocal minority of irrationally angry people.
4:30 lmao but on a serious note I can't believe people were making video responses, that's weird behaviour
@@StayCalmxd it happened like…multiple times too!! wilddddd behaviour I can’t imagine the thought process behind being that mad about a stranger getting their BA in writing lmao
I think you can block words from your channel so I recommend blocking the name of your uni/city and a few others people might guess so people don’t talk about it. You can review the blocked comments if you want to block the people as well
@@trinity3272 oh wait that’s genius!!
I just hope that Shaelin see this bc that's such a good advice!
Nice plant
Who the hell made a video attacking shaelin?