Today, April 13th, I went to the Creative Writing After College Event that featured English professors’ experiences and their creative writing journeys. I really enjoyed their insight on what it looks like to partake in MFA creative writing programs and how there are some programs that sometimes pay you to attend, you pay tuition, or there is a teaching requirement. Even though I am in my early years of deciding what I want to do post-college, I now have a better understanding of what I can do. It was also very validating to hear that I do not have to be an English major to pursue a path in the creative writing field. Professor Rachel Heng touched on her experience of having to work in a finance job that she did not particularly enjoy and then looked towards writing as a career as an author. I also attended Professor Heng’s reading of her newly released book “The Great Reclamation,” last night, so it was amazing to see her personal journey and how it can pertain to what I may do down the line.
In terms of publishing, I enjoyed hearing their perspectives on what it means to publish and sell your art. I felt empowered by the fact that this art is ours and we should not “publish just to publish.” Another professor mentioned how it is important to release your work when you feel your voice needs to be heard, or when you feel your piece is complete and something you want to share with the world. They made it a point that writing and your identity as a writer is not needed to be proven to anyone, but rather you are writing this art for yourself and your soul. I really resonated with these statements and helped me recenter myself in why I write and why I feel it is so necessary for my life.
*There was no place to sign in for this event, so I have an official record of my attendance*
