Ian, Yes, the motivation to do a postgrad degree needs sorting out. From your post your urge to do this sounds a little vague and needs some further work, I think. A badge of self-esteem? The letters after your name will matter to you for about a week and just occasionally when you want to comfort yourself. Meeting others, yes, but there are plenty of other ways to do that. And the cost in money is substantial and in time, huge. Above all, a postgrad course/project will take you away from your writing and require a lot of jumping through hoops, not of your own making and not all congenial. As someone with three degrees to my name, one of which I completed in my fifties I don't find it in me to recommend you do this. If your motivation is 'hot', a burning desire to do a specific project then the idea my have some legs. You will need that urge to sustain you in the rigours ahead if you decide to enroll. Have you thought about how such an undertaking will impact on your existing and future plans? Having 'free time' on 'retirement', there's always the temptation, even fear, to want to fill up that time. In one of your posts you mentioned 'freedom' as one the pleasures of a writing life. Another degree will certainly erode that freedom, not necessarily enhance it. Give yourself time to identify how you are feeling about this. What else might you want to do?
Thanks for taking the time to share this, Jim; much appreciated. I too am concerned about the impact on my own creative work (and freedom), and I'm trying to weigh the time and cost (both considerable, as you say) with what else they might be 'spent' on. I like the idea of doing it, but standing back and being practical may suggest something else. And indeed, I am likely to be more motivated to work on some other things...
I've just rechecked the cost of the MA and realised I misunderstood the pricing structure - it costs twice as much as I thought it did. Which may answer the question for me...
I did a post graduate diploma in Creative Writing at Oxford Uni two years ago. It was mostly on line but we had 3 weeks at summer school. Discussing work with others was the major gain, fun to have so many perspectives, and there were some wonderful writers there. The tutors were varied to say the least but I learnt a lot and above all the investment made me want to keep up the writing. The PhD is doable and will be a major attainment if you complete.
Ian, Yes, the motivation to do a postgrad degree needs sorting out. From your post your urge to do this sounds a little vague and needs some further work, I think. A badge of self-esteem? The letters after your name will matter to you for about a week and just occasionally when you want to comfort yourself. Meeting others, yes, but there are plenty of other ways to do that. And the cost in money is substantial and in time, huge. Above all, a postgrad course/project will take you away from your writing and require a lot of jumping through hoops, not of your own making and not all congenial. As someone with three degrees to my name, one of which I completed in my fifties I don't find it in me to recommend you do this. If your motivation is 'hot', a burning desire to do a specific project then the idea my have some legs. You will need that urge to sustain you in the rigours ahead if you decide to enroll. Have you thought about how such an undertaking will impact on your existing and future plans? Having 'free time' on 'retirement', there's always the temptation, even fear, to want to fill up that time. In one of your posts you mentioned 'freedom' as one the pleasures of a writing life. Another degree will certainly erode that freedom, not necessarily enhance it. Give yourself time to identify how you are feeling about this. What else might you want to do?
Thanks for taking the time to share this, Jim; much appreciated. I too am concerned about the impact on my own creative work (and freedom), and I'm trying to weigh the time and cost (both considerable, as you say) with what else they might be 'spent' on. I like the idea of doing it, but standing back and being practical may suggest something else. And indeed, I am likely to be more motivated to work on some other things...
How exciting Ian! Yeah! Do it.
I've just rechecked the cost of the MA and realised I misunderstood the pricing structure - it costs twice as much as I thought it did. Which may answer the question for me...
I did a post graduate diploma in Creative Writing at Oxford Uni two years ago. It was mostly on line but we had 3 weeks at summer school. Discussing work with others was the major gain, fun to have so many perspectives, and there were some wonderful writers there. The tutors were varied to say the least but I learnt a lot and above all the investment made me want to keep up the writing. The PhD is doable and will be a major attainment if you complete.