To worry that doing this course would be a conceit?

[IHeartKingThistle]

I want to do an MA in Creative Writing - specifically, I want to do it in Poetry.

I've always had it in the back of my head like a pipe dream. You know, like one day I'd love to buy a vintage campervan and travel for a year, one day I'd love to paint my house pink, one day I'd love to do an MA, that sort of stuff, stuff that normal life gets in the way of, knowing that I'd probably never do it.

But I've just inherited some money from a relative and it is more than I expected, more than enough to do the MA and some other things we want to do (not painting the house pink though!). I'm an English teacher at the moment but only 2 days a week, my DC are older so not so needy and so I find myself in a position where I have the time and the money to do it.

But I'm hesitant - I don't tell people I write poetry. I'm worried people will think it's massively wanky to spend a year doing a course that won't qualify me for anything when I could use the time to do something more worthwhile. I'm worried they'll think that I'm self-absorbed or have inflated ideas of my own abilities or something. I don't know why I care - I never care what people think! Everyone I know would be supportive, and I know the relative who died would have been too. What's holding me back? I'd be full of pep talks if it was someone else!

I don't tell people I write poetry. I'm worried people will think it's massively wanky to spend a year doing a course that won't qualify me for anything

Perhaps you don’t spend much time checking out the CVs of successful, published poets? Because they generally do have a Creative Writing or Poetry degree/postgrad/ PhD etc.

Its unusual nowadays in the Arts to move into the professsional (as opposed to amateur) sphere without at some stage engaging with your discipline’s academic world.

And if it’s a good course it won’t be easy. So the important questions are more about your own curiosity and determination and whether you are in a position to get onto a course taught by people you admire, at an institution which will help to further your ambitions.

Have you identified a university whose application criteria match the writing you’re already doing? Have you spoken to the course tutors and established whether theirs would be the right course for you?

Does the course gave a reputation for really excellent teaching - both one to one and lecturing? Are they known to lead or support artistic innovation, or the opposite? Is there a wide array of workshops, readings, opportunities to share your work? Do they have a strong body of successful alumnae? A lively presence in the local or wider area? Strong contacts with industry professionals - agents, editors, publishers, etc? A relatively high profile in the local/ national/ international media and the ability to attract big name teachers or guest speakers? All these things matter and are what you should be buying with your fees.

And are you prepared to throw yourself into something terrifying and exhausting and competitive and challenging and exhilarating - which will take all your brain and energy? These are the questions you need to be asking ...

(have - not gave, obvs ...)

The point is - poetry is important. Using language to examine / stand up for humanity and our understanding of the world we occupy is a responsibility - why wouldn’t you want to arm yourself with as much knowledge and exposure to other poet’s creativity and experimentation with practice as you possibly could?

That’s what a university is for.

That and really vital professional contacts.

There once was a poster called IHeartKingThistle
Who'd a problem that did make her bristle.
Should I do an MA?
They all hear her say.
Before applying to the Uni of Bristol

I did one! Mine wasn’t in poetry but fiction. It hasn’t served much purpose in my life but I absolutely adored it, it genuinely improved on my knowledge and skills as a writer, I read so many wonderful new writers and loved the critiquing aspect with my classmates and tutor. It’s honestly been invaluable and enriched my life. DO IT!!

Who gives a single, solitary shit if anyone else thinks it’s conceited? You don’t have to justify yourself to anyone! You have the time, you can afford it, you would enjoy it. That is literally all that matters.

Loving your archaic use of a noun OP!

But you do rather need to believe, yourself, that poetry is a ‘worthwhile’ pursuit. Once you start your MA you’ll be amongst peers who take their work, and their ambition, very seriously indeed. It will be wonderful if you are all mutually supportive - but you will need to rely most on your own drive and sense that you’re doing exactly what you should be doing.

The op had a long time plan
To paint the house pink and get a camper van
And to study creative writing cos it was really exciting
So she did it and proved that she can.

She was unsure of just what to do
So she asked the wise mumsnet crew
They encouraged and admired
To do what she desired
Instead of working till she was 102.

I will stick to my day job op

It wouldn't be 'a conceit' and you should know the difference! But we'll let you off.

Surely it's relevant to what you do? I would imagine it would help you be a better teacher if nothing else, and might lead on to other things too. Go for it!

I’m currently on a year off from work spending part of my inheritance on a masters in a practical subject that will allow me to leave or at least significantly scale back on my current job.

After I finish up, I intend to apply for a part-time degree at the OU in the social science subject I should have studied as a youngster. At 40 I’m a bit old for a glittering career in academia I think but it’s a subject I always wish I’d studied and think I will enjoy it. I’ll be doing it purely for self-fulfillment. No-one else approves of the idea and I don’t give a fuck. If I suddenly start giving a fuck, I just won’t tell anyone else.

I’d say go for it. It’s your money, spend it on something you enjoy and be circumspect about telling people you think might be judgey if that’s likely to affect you.

It wouldn't be 'a conceit' and you should know the difference!

This! You're an English teacher with an interest in poetry -- you should know your conceits from your anaphorae!

What GeorgetheBleeder said about choosing an MA in creative writing very carefully they vary enormously in quality, intake and types of teaching some will allow you to concentrate on one genre, other will require you to take classes across several -- and in industry contacts, if that's important to you.

The only thing you don't mention is whether you already write poetry seriously on a regular basis? You will need to apply with a portfolio of work in most cases.

Oh you vipers and your wonderful poems! What a fab thread to wake up to!

Some great advice to really have a think about. Thank you.

And yes, sorry was being a bit old-fashioned with 'conceit' there, forgot about the technical meaning!

DO IT!

Do it, OP! I also came into some money and spent some of it on a Masters. Really rewarding.

It will qualify you for something. Creative Writing is an expanding area in university study; even if you weren't looking to move out of school teaching into Higher Education then if nothing else you could be a guest lecturer. I say go for it - and even if the degree course is an end in itself it matters nothing what other people might think. Do this for you.

marie, the MA wouldn't be what would qualify a guest lecturer. In creative writing it's not that unusual for people without a PhD to guest lecture (or lecture) because they are practising poets, but it's the practising poet bit that qualifies them, not the MA.

(I don't think this matters - the OP doesn't sound as if she wants to go into academia?).

If something will make you happy, it has value.
Achieving a goal, just for the sake of it has value.
Go for it....

Please do it OP! Life is too short to waste on just practical stuff.

"what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

I do think you have a responsibility to yourself to live your life to the fullest extent that you can (without hurting others). Honestly, do you want your gravestone to say: "Here lies Thistle. She never did anything unexpected or wanky".

Definitely do it, but research the course carefully, and look at how and what it teaches and assesses, are the teachers active practitioners, and do you know and like the work of the poetry teachers? how many others will be on it FT at the same time, how much contact time there is, how lively the department is -- are there chances to perform your work? visiting poets and novelists reading a lot? industry contacts? do you produce an annual anthology etc?

What do you yourself want out of it, ideally? A book of poems published with a decent press? Time to write? 'Permission' to focus seriously on your poetry?

But, all that said, grab the chance, and best wishes.

Do it!

Doing something you love and can afford to do is not wanky any more than buying a season ticket and spending every Saturday at the football. You're indulging a passion in your own time - unless you stand in the street shouting out your poetry like a town crier it's no one else's business. The only people who think this kind of thing is wanky are intellectually insecure.

Do it, do it, do it !!

If you can afford it and you have time then yes do it! If you need some practical justification, it will make you a better English teacher. But you should do it anyway - there is nothing at all wrong with learning for the sake of learning.

There once was a budding Mum poet
Who didnt believe she could show it
She decided she could
Joined the course that she should
And now she's a poet - you know it!

Best of luck!

I thinks it's an amazing thing to do and inspirational for your DC that you continue your education and learning throughout your life and that you have a dream and are fulfilling it.

Enjoy!