Reflection: First Term of MA Creative Writing, A Snapshot Into The Experience & What It Means

When people ask me, 'Why UEA?' I usually respond with a smile, 'Why not UEA?'

When I finally got admission and a scholarship at UEA after three attempts, I knew this was exactly where I was meant to be.

When people ask me, 'Why UEA?' I usually respond with a smile, 'Why not UEA?'

My initial attraction to UEA wasn't exactly about the university itself, but its Creative Writing program. It was the reputation, the alumni and the opportunity to immerse myself in a community that values storytelling the way I do. It felt like the perfect place to refine my craft and challenge myself creatively.

Some facts that influenced my decision:

• UEA launched the first MA in Creative Writing in the UK in 1970, making it a pioneer in creative writing education. It has since become a leader in the field.

• The program has produced many acclaimed authors, including Ian McEwan (Booker Prize winner), Kazuo Ishiguro(Nobel Prize in Literature winner), Anne Enright (Man Booker Prize winner), Tracy Chevalier, Ayòbámi Adébáyò, Tash Aw, and Deepa Anappara, among others.

• The program has an impressive faculty roster, including published authors, poets, and playwrights who are actively engaged in their fields.

• UEA Creative Writing program is one of the most respected creative writing programs.

The list goes on.

Now, as I reflect on the past three (or so) months, of being part of my dream creative writing program and immersing myself in the academic community at UEA, I am convinced that this, indeed, is the place for me.

I came into this program with one goal: finding myself out of the lost abyss of one of my ongoing novels.

I had been stuck in it for years, unsure of where to go next, or perhaps no longer enthusiastic about it at all. But thanks to a helpful combination of workshops, tutoring, and a fresh perspective, I’ve begun to rediscover my passion for the story and find my way forward once again.

And for me, that’s worth mentioning and reflecting on. So far, I’ve found the experience incredibly helpful. It has reignited my creative spark and provided the clarity I desperately needed to move forward with my work.

Any MA/MFA Creative Writing program experience can be a brutal one (though UEA works hard to soften the blow for its participants), and so I do not write this oblivious to the fact that there were some “interesting” moments which left me wide-eyed. That there was some emotional tumult (for me and others), and a lot of hard-hitting doses of reality about being in such a program. (I have an essay in the works that dives deeper into my experiences and what they’ve truly meant. Be on the lookout for that too).

Ultimately, despite the challenges and moments of uncertainty, this program has proven invaluable in ways I hadn’t anticipated (or maybe had. It is the reputable UEA Writing program anyway).

It has pushed me to confront my limitations, rediscover my love for writing and embrace the unpredictable journey of creation.

I’m grateful for the lessons, the growth and the opportunity to be part of a community that constantly inspires and challenges me.

The journey is far from over, but I’m excited to see where it takes me next.