Comments on: An MFA Is Also Not… http://www.robertpeake.com/archives/381-an-mfa-is-also-not.html An American Poet in London Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:26:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Robert http://www.robertpeake.com/archives/381-an-mfa-is-also-not.html/comment-page-1#comment-1168 Robert Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:35:59 +0000 http://www.robertpeake.com/?p=381#comment-1168 Hey Joe, I certainly agree that getting inspired by others' work and progress through the program is important and also that nicey-nicey doesn't lead anywhere. I just think it's important to remember there is a bigger aim out there for all of us, which is to participate in a larger literary conversation through venues deluged in slush piles. So, the point is to keep an eye on the purpose of the program, to use one another to get better and stronger -- and not to carry praise or blame too far. Hey Joe, I certainly agree that getting inspired by others’ work and progress through the program is important and also that nicey-nicey doesn’t lead anywhere. I just think it’s important to remember there is a bigger aim out there for all of us, which is to participate in a larger literary conversation through venues deluged in slush piles. So, the point is to keep an eye on the purpose of the program, to use one another to get better and stronger — and not to carry praise or blame too far.

]]> By: joseph duemer http://www.robertpeake.com/archives/381-an-mfa-is-also-not.html/comment-page-1#comment-1167 joseph duemer Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:22:46 +0000 http://www.robertpeake.com/?p=381#comment-1167 Robert, sorry for not following up -- first week of classes here. There is certainly such a thing as too much competition, but I think poets need to be hard in certain ways, have to be able to take a shot. A good grad program can do that, make you tough. I suppose nobody likes egotism & preening, but I think a certain amount of that goes with the territory--such things are a form of camouflage, perhaps--and frankly I'd rather see a young poet strutting around with a chip on her shoulder than starting an encounter group. Maybe it's just my generation. Robert, sorry for not following up — first week of classes here. There is certainly such a thing as too much competition, but I think poets need to be hard in certain ways, have to be able to take a shot. A good grad program can do that, make you tough. I suppose nobody likes egotism & preening, but I think a certain amount of that goes with the territory–such things are a form of camouflage, perhaps–and frankly I’d rather see a young poet strutting around with a chip on her shoulder than starting an encounter group. Maybe it’s just my generation.

]]> By: Robert http://www.robertpeake.com/archives/381-an-mfa-is-also-not.html/comment-page-1#comment-1155 Robert Mon, 14 Jan 2008 02:13:48 +0000 http://www.robertpeake.com/?p=381#comment-1155 Hey Joe, Maybe I'm just at that point in the residency where my brain is mushy and I can see, like a cubist painting, both sides of just about everything -- but it seems to me the line is thin between really bad stuff and potentially great stuff that transcends the revision-by-consensus of workshopping. How the hell do you compete on a playing field where the 100-yard-line is right next to the 10? What does comparison teach you that revision can not? So far, it seems like the biggest ruse distraction around... Best, Robert Hey Joe,

Maybe I’m just at that point in the residency where my brain is mushy and I can see, like a cubist painting, both sides of just about everything — but it seems to me the line is thin between really bad stuff and potentially great stuff that transcends the revision-by-consensus of workshopping. How the hell do you compete on a playing field where the 100-yard-line is right next to the 10? What does comparison teach you that revision can not? So far, it seems like the biggest ruse distraction around…

Best,
Robert

]]> By: joseph duemer http://www.robertpeake.com/archives/381-an-mfa-is-also-not.html/comment-page-1#comment-1153 joseph duemer Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:18:59 +0000 http://www.robertpeake.com/?p=381#comment-1153 I think you're bullshitting yourself, Robert. Of course it's about the poem not the poet, but one of the virtues of a grad program is that it lets you see how good other people are & how far you have to go. I went to Iowa. I know from competition. I think you’re bullshitting yourself, Robert. Of course it’s about the poem not the poet, but one of the virtues of a grad program is that it lets you see how good other people are & how far you have to go. I went to Iowa. I know from competition.

]]> By: Pearl http://www.robertpeake.com/archives/381-an-mfa-is-also-not.html/comment-page-1#comment-1147 Pearl Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:38:31 +0000 http://www.robertpeake.com/?p=381#comment-1147 mm, how yummy. mm, how yummy.

]]> By: Layne http://www.robertpeake.com/archives/381-an-mfa-is-also-not.html/comment-page-1#comment-1143 Layne Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:10:28 +0000 http://www.robertpeake.com/?p=381#comment-1143 Lol, you did bring your long-john's and fleece, didn't you? Lol, you did bring your long-john’s and fleece, didn’t you?

]]> By: Robert http://www.robertpeake.com/archives/381-an-mfa-is-also-not.html/comment-page-1#comment-1139 Robert Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:01:48 +0000 http://www.robertpeake.com/?p=381#comment-1139 Hi Pearl -- it is rich and creamy up here indeed. Hi Pearl — it is rich and creamy up here indeed.

]]> By: Robert http://www.robertpeake.com/archives/381-an-mfa-is-also-not.html/comment-page-1#comment-1138 Robert Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:00:29 +0000 http://www.robertpeake.com/?p=381#comment-1138 Hi Layne, Fun for sure. The warm part I'm still working on. Cheers, Robert Hi Layne,

Fun for sure. The warm part I’m still working on.

Cheers,
Robert

]]> By: Layne http://www.robertpeake.com/archives/381-an-mfa-is-also-not.html/comment-page-1#comment-1136 Layne Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:52:36 +0000 http://www.robertpeake.com/?p=381#comment-1136 Wow, Robert, what an excellent entry here. I hear you loud and clear. I appreciate your fearless dedication to the process and to your goals. Stay warm, and while you're there, be sure to have some fun too. :) Wow, Robert, what an excellent entry here. I hear you loud and clear. I appreciate your fearless dedication to the process and to your goals. Stay warm, and while you’re there, be sure to have some fun too. :)

]]> By: Pearl http://www.robertpeake.com/archives/381-an-mfa-is-also-not.html/comment-page-1#comment-1135 Pearl Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:51:06 +0000 http://www.robertpeake.com/?p=381#comment-1135 Sounds sensible. There can be politicking, and bruhahas. Better to take the high road when partisanship cuts both ways. The main thing is to have deeper understanding, clearer vision, clearer communications on the page and off. Used-car saleman relationships aren't likely to payoff. A support network of people you appreciate and who appreciate you is cream. Get some cream on the side too if your heart can take it. Sounds sensible. There can be politicking, and bruhahas. Better to take the high road when partisanship cuts both ways. The main thing is to have deeper understanding, clearer vision, clearer communications on the page and off. Used-car saleman relationships aren’t likely to payoff. A support network of people you appreciate and who appreciate you is cream. Get some cream on the side too if your heart can take it.

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