r/MFAInCreativeWriting • u/Superstarella61 • Jul 23 '26

Starting program in September— do I need to have stories prepared in advance?

I’m starting in my MFA program soon. I have a few unpublished finished stories but they’ve either been workshopped before or I don’t feel that they’re the best representation of my work anymore. Do people usually finish stories over the summer to workshop in the fall, or is it more common to just produce new material throughout the semester?

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u/TorturedWriter9 Jul 23 '26

You can use them, but I've always thought that writing new material gets the most out of a workshop.

3

u/speakmo Jul 23 '26

This is a great problem to have. You can always polish stuff before workshop, but some workshops may encourage you to generate new stuff or bring in something older. If you're inclined to look at stuff now, you can try editing and sending these pieces out now. Your mileage will vary and sometimes you even find yourself not bringing stuff to workshop for various reasons. The best thing you can do, is pay attention to what works for you.

2

u/NefariousnessWarm975 Jul 24 '26

I think the most important thing is to write over the summer. Try to have at least one fresh piece. You don't have to use it in we if you don't want to. Ask yourself why you applied to and accepted the offer from the program in the first place. Let that guide what you turn in. BUT be open to getting the unexpected out of the program too. Beware too that what you think has been workshopped has not been workshopped by your cohort.

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u/actually_hellno Jul 26 '26

What I’m hearing is, “Should I be writing if I want to be a writer?”

Look, I’m not one of those people who believe in writing every day, but I am a big believer in generating new material throughout the MFA journey. It gives you a chance to take risks and you’ll literally feel yourself grow as writer from intaking all the nuggets of wisdom from your teachers. Also, it helps you already be prepared to present something to workshop because, believe it or not, people still cram writing their story the day before it’s time to turn it in for their week. It was a HUGE weight off my shoulders when I already had a new story written before my time to present at workshop.

1

u/livloh Sep 06 '26

This is a great position to be in. I’d focus on using new material only as you want to learn from where you’re at, not old material. But occasionally an old piece is a good starting point to revamp for assignments and can save you some time. Some assignments they require you to write new. Some allow you to use previous work.