imaginarycircus

This article in Poets & Writers knocked me on my ass. It is written by a professor in my program. He asserts that MFA programs are not looking for innovation and brillance in their students. They are looking for a tepid sort of immitative ability. I was peeved for about ten minutes and then I thought about what Hollander was saying.

While I still have a whole lot to learn I must say that I had a hard time getting into an MFA program when I submitted more experimental fiction, than the more coventional piece that got me accepted.

Everyone I spoke to today was feeling pissy about the article. I dunno. I think it is good to shake up the status quo and push limits. And even though I have been really impressed by my fellow writers, I have been at times disappointed in their timid choices of subject matter or techniques.

In related news I had my first workshop today. I handed out my armed robbery/assisted suicide story and the feedback I got was weird. I can't actually recall what anyone said. I couldn't tell if they liked it or not. I'm sort of pissed. I wanted MORE of a reaction. crap.