The Portable MFA in Creative Writing : Improve Your Craft with the Core Essentials Taught to MFA Students

by The New York Writers Workshop

Improve your craft with the core essentials taught to MFA students.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Crafts, Ebooks, Textbooks, Business

282 pages, Hardcover

First published April 29, 2006

Reviews

[Tom Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do have an MFA in creative writing, and I wish I'd read this first (maybe I would have saved some dough). Covers many genres (from short stories to novels to poetry to screenwriting) with a lot of practical advice on craft, character, plot development and the approaches writers can take to get out of writing holes and avoid missteps. Chapters are written by various academics, so the quality/applicability of the advice varies, but overall, most of the "lecturers" hit high marks for clarity and accessibility of the techniques they present. One thing I admired was how realistic and grounded most of the lessons were, in regards the writing world, and have to navigate it, besides the solid specifics on aspects of craft.

[Stefania Dzhanamova · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very useful guide that teaches the basics of writing – how to create believable, three-dimensional characters, how to construct an intriguing plot, etc. It answers questions such as "Should I write only what I know about?", "How to tell a short story from a novel and which is more suitable for a newbie writer?"
The books is divided into different sections – Fiction, Personal Memoir, Poetry, Magazine Writing, Playwriting. All are helpful, graspably written, and fun-to-read in their own right.

I recommend "The Portable MFA in Creative Writing" to anyone who aspires to become an author but is a little (or not little) bit clueless about where to start.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you really want to write, all you need is this book, a pen, and some paper. If you want to teach, you may have to dish out all the dough for an MFA, but this book shows that it's really not necessary. Step by step instructions from the experts. Makes writing like baking a cake!

[R.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had bought this book several years ago in hopes that it would help me hone my writing skills. I finally got around to reading it since I'm finally getting around to writing.

This book is broken into 6 parts; each one focusing on a different genre of writting, such as fiction, memoirs, and poetry. I focused on the fiction section and I was impressed. It isn't earth shaking--several of the tips in here I've read elsewhere. That being said, there are many good exercises and sound advice on characterization, setting, the art of writing in general, and viewpoints. It comes across not as a lecture from a teacher, rather, but as the musings and confides of a friend and mentor. He mixes in antedotes concerning issues he has faced, addresses the fears of all writers, and provides a unique perspective. He also does a great job pulling examples from everywhere: from acclaimed authors to people I've never heard of.

[Pat Loughery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up as a free Kindle offering a week ago. I'm very glad I did.

Past the introduction, which (probably quite rightly) is a diatribe against the cost of an MFA program in a traditional school, the book is five chapters from five writers describing the craft of writing a genre. The first chapter on writing fiction (followed by personal essay and memoir; magazine writing; poetry; playwriting). The fiction chapter was quite thorough if mechanical, but a no-nonsense approach that will make an excellent resource for underway writers. The chapters also contain reading lists, pointers to other writing books, and other excellent resources.

Very nice work on the mechanical side of writing.

[Thomas Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Portable MFA in Creative Writing, New York Writers Workshop, 2006, 282 pages, ISBN 9781582973500, Dewey 808.042

If I don't have a story in me, no amount of instruction will bring one out.

The authors have what they think is the basis for a story, but they couldn't develop it, so they shop it to students to see if anyone can make something of it.

[Brandon Petry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read the intro and the section on fiction writing but I found this to be a useful brief overview. The title really does say it all, and while I think taking your time to do the exercises and reading or re-reading the stories/novels used as examples will drastically increase what you get out of this book, it's still a handy reference to have around. Like any writing/craft book it's best to read and study this info with you're own perspective, taste and goals in mind.

The other sections The Portable MFA in Creative Writing covers that I haven't read are Personal Essay and Memoir, Magazine Writing, Poetry, Playwriting and an Appendix. Each section is written by a teacher of The New York Writers Workshop. I wasn't familiar with them but I found this book to be a useful refresher akin to The Modern Library Writer's Workshop: A Guide to the Craft of Fiction or Writing Fiction: The Practical Guide from New York's Acclaimed Creative Writing School.

I originally came across this on through the Kindle Unlimited program (so if you're reading this and you have that I suggest borrowing it and reading the intro) and ended up buying a cheap copy online because I'm crazy and need a physical copy.

I like how condensed this book was, designed to cut straight through to what is really useful to know when writing and save yourself the cost of a MFA. Take that sales pitch with a grain of salt but I am curious to read the other sections in the future should I feel I'd like to focus on something other than fiction.

[S.W. Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Instead of discouraging prospective writers from "wasting money" on an MFA, I think this book should be read by all people entering an MFA program to help them squeeze every ounce of opportunity out of the MFA experience and get the most return on their investment. Although many successful writers are self taught, I suspect having mentors and colleagues would facilitate the learning process. Just like sex, it can be performed alone; however, it is much more enjoyable and rewarding with a partner. I found the appendix on " MFA Dos & Don'ts" to be particularly helpful and the workshop commandments should be adhered to as much as possible by participants. I immediately recognized my flawed tendencies to rewrite other writers' work in my own style and to focus on the meaning instead of craft. I also could see myself becoming very defensive when receiving feedback and trying to explain away any criticisms instead of listening quietly. Thank God I haven't started my workshop yet. Without these useful insights, I'd have come off like an annoying, pretentious twit (which may still be true, but I hope to evolve).

[Amy Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, this book is a great substitute for spending thousands of dollars on graduate school. The only thing the author claims you won't get from the book is the "degree" and all that comes with it. Every sentence, thus far, is packed with writing wisdom I only wish teachers had given me in college. Maybe it's a bit premature for me to be praising the book, but if I change my mind, I'll let you know!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slowly reading through this book I found free on Amazon years ago. It would definitely be worth getting an MFA in Creative Writing.

[Selim Tlili · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't "finish" this in the classical sense of reading it cover to cover because I didn't need to complete the book to get the value I desired.

The book is broken up into chapters for the type of writing you aspire to do. At the moment my boy desire is to improve in my ability to craft decent fiction. I perused some of the other sections; personal essay and playwriting. I skipped other sections completely; poetry and magazine writing.

Since the whole ethos of the NY writers workshop is to work on crafting the work the compels you I decided not to read the rest.

And that is wonderfully liberating. There is so much out there to read and it's just great that I can get practical advice on becoming a better writer without having to go through other valuable things that I don't want to focus upon at this point in my life.

This book convinced me that I need to take one of their classes this year. I wish they had something on screenwriting as well as playwriting but that a rather nitpick my criticism of an otherwise exceedingly useful book that I have no doubt I will return to down the road. The exercises alone made my time well spent.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that was long on theory. It gave lots of good, textbook level advice but didn't deliver on practical examples and ways for me to IMPROVE my writing. While reading it felt to me that I was in a lecture hall being lectured to by a professor.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I finally get around to writing my novel... this will be my entire toolbox.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read 90% of the first chapter ("Fiction") and the Appendix. I did not read the remaining sections ("Personal Essay and Memoir," "Magazine Writing," "Poetry," and "Playwriting"). Overall, I think this is a good reference work, but it drones on far longer than it needs to. But I definitely learned some stuff!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book dramatically overpromises about what it can provide, claiming that it "gives you all of the essential information you would learn in an MFA program in one book" from "some of today's greatest teachers." With only about 70 pages devoted to each of five genres, of course that's not possible, and to claim it is, is silly.

Each section does provide some useful information and exercises that can be a starting point to develop your writing. Of the three genres I write — fiction, personal narrative and magazine articles — the personal narrative chapter is strongest. In the magazine section, it's disappointing that dated pieces such as Gay Talese's "Frank Sinatra Has a Cold" are still held up as paragons. Even allowing that this book was published in 2006, Talese's article was already more than 40 years old. There are so many contemporary journalists doing fascinating work worth studying. In fact, there are noticeably few women or writers of color listed in any of the recommended reading sections that end each chapter. While I don't write plays, and so don't have firsthand experience to offer, the section on playwriting seemed particularly boring and didactic.

All that said, the poetry chapter is excellent. Its exercises are organized into eight weeks, like an academic term, with detailed, well-structured guidance on how to read deeply and write thoughtfully. I'm no poet, and it made even me want to give it a try.

Overall, the suggestions in the book are generally on point, as far as they go. Just be realistic about what it can give you — it's no substitute for an academic program, and it shouldn't pretend to be.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the biggest problem that I have with this book is that there was absolutely no consideration given to reading this book on a ereader, no table of contents, no differentiation between chapter headings, section headings and the like. Not really knowing where I was in the discussion of each individual topic (5 of them: novel writing, personal essay, magazine article, poetry and playwriting) or how the topic fit into the overall structure of the book, really left me floundering and irritated. Each "chapter" is really a lengthy essay by one of the instructors at the New York Writers Workshop. Individually each of these essays would be a fine piece of instructional material, but they don't work together at all. Each essay addressed it's target STUDENT audience in varying degrees of success. I'd rate the poetry and magazine articles ones as the most directive, teacher-like, and instructive. The personal essay wandered too much for me. Novel writing crammed so much in that it was just a survey of every possible topic associated with writing a novel and really didn't given any instruction or exercises. To be honest, by the time I got to play-writing, I gave up and just flipped through to the end.

It's too bad, because if I had a paperback of this rather than an ebook, I'd bet my experience would have raised this one if not two stars.

[Jessica Loomis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually skimmed Chapter 1: Fiction and read the introduction. Calling this the Portable MFA seems like a brilliant marketing tool, because I felt that while this book will be helpful in teaching creative writing at the high school level, it seems a bit summary for writers at such an advanced level as to be admitted (or thinking about being admitted) into an MFA program. But maybe not. Maybe I'm optimistic.

But I will attempt to use the book as a guide for high school, starting with some exercises on getting started and moving to plot structure, characterization, summary and scene, subtext, description, and revision: all of these being essential components of a high-school level creative writing class. Plus, this chapter's author (Tim Tomlinson) continually pulls in examples that any writer would benefit in reading and studying (I am seeing the same names repeatedly mentioned in reference to stunning prose or almost flawless narrative: Munro, Carver, Hemingway, and Denis Johnson).

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grabbed this from Amazon's Kindle lending program, and it served me well on a pair of recent plane trips. As with any writing book I read these days, I'm happy to grab a couple of encouraging tidbits in the form of advice about things I already do, as well as some well-worded reminders about things I need to do better. I am never, for example, tired of reading different ways that "story" is defined, because they always remind me that, hey, self, it really is necessary to have a character with motivation and stakes at the heart of your story. And then I'm just as happy to skim some of the other stuff, such as the usual advice about dialogue tags, and the outdated advice about how to find and contact agents.

Also, for as much as I liked the section on fiction writing, the excerpts provided were disappointing in a.) their lack of decent formatting for Kindle, and b.) their adherence to some of the stuff-you-read-in-an-MFA-program cliches. So much 80s minimalism! You would think, after finishing this section, that "Cathedral" was the greatest and best-loved short story OF ALL TIME.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read the fiction section for now, but this book is very insightful and motivational for all writers. It covers fiction (the short story and the novel), memoir/personal writing, magazine/periodical writing, poetry, play-writing...choose your poison. I'm not sure it can actually stand in for an MFA, but it was a good effort. I'd say this book should be used to complement an MFA degree (whether read before getting an MFA, during it, or after). Very inspiring--and has definitely made me look into taking classes with the New York Writer's Workshop.

[Heather Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable (and cynical) guide to writing: if you want to be a writer, you don't need an MFA, but you need to write. I love books about writing as much as I love writing, so this is a fun one with plenty of practical tips.

[Serenity · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really does seem to cover a lot, although perhaps too much to be of as much use as the authors claim. Still a really good guide.

[Britta Stumpp · Rating 3 out of 5]

One more book I'm reading for Deeter's class. He basically told us we could go into debt by about $35,000 to $50,000, or we could just read this book.

[PS · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it was an interesting read, I'm not sure I learnt much. A lot of the stuff mentioned was just common sense/pretty basic.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Saturday writing group chose this book for our read. We took one chapter a month and discussed what we learned. Everyone had positives to share at our local coffee shop.

As a resource, The Portable MFA is packed with fantastic ideas, explanations, practical helps, even homework. Although the mantra is to read this book instead of wasting hard-earned money one pursuing an MFA it really doesn't replace the degree...BUT it helps.

I am in an MFA program and find my coursework infinitely deeper, however, not everyone wants to or needs to pursue this degree. If you are interested in the writing craft and want expert information, this is a great book for you.

My favorite chapters were: fiction (naturally, I write and read fiction) and poetry (which is essential for all writers). The other chapters also had great value. I was surprised at how useful the memoir chapter was, realizing a character in a novel is simply telling their memoir. I think I'll read the chapter again.

I highly recommend this resource for any author, writer, or interested person in penning words to page.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, wow that took me forever.

A few years ago, my dream was to enroll in an MFA, but only if I got in on 100% scholarship. Well, a few years later, I did get the knowledge of an MFA through this book even if the rejections were heartbreak at the time.
Really enjoyed this, even the sections I wasn’t interested in. I shall certainly read this again.

I’m hoping to go to New York this year and attend one of these workshops.

[Ricc Eff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read only the part on fiction. Loved it. Probably the most concise and practical guide to writing. I would have liked something more on editing and other topics could have explored more (journalling etc) but that's ok.

[Jessica Marquis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immensely helpful.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful reference for writers.

[Clifford Wollum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Master Fine Arts (MFA)

[Dearwassily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The section on writing poetry is particularly helpful.