Memorial’s Department of English Language and Literature has accepted creative theses from master of arts (MA) students in the past with great success but always on a case-by-case basis. Now, as a result of a 2012 departmental review, this practice has been formalized and extended with the September 2013 launch of an “official” MA in English with a creative thesis.
A creative thesis, according to graduate co-ordinator Dr. Andrew Loman, can take the form of a novel, a collection of short stories, a play, a body of poetry or a work of creative non-fiction. Dr. Loman says it was important to formalize the creative option so that more prospective students would know about it.

“We want this option to be widely known, not just to the lucky few who learn about it informally,” he said.

He adds that the change will give the department’s creative writing faculty more opportunities to nurture the most talented members of a new generation of writers.

A fully integrated program, the new MA is a combination of two disciplines – literature and creative writing. Following a model from the University of Calgary and the University of Toronto, MA students in English literature and creative writing will take courses together. Those doing an emphasis in creative writing will have their theses examined under the same criteria as those focusing on English literature. Students admitted to the creative writing stream must also meet the same academic requirements as all students applying to the MA in English.

Iain McCurdy is a student in the program and is optimistic about what it offers him.

“This degree is giving me the best possible environment to put together a finished and publishable piece of writing,” he said. “We have a mind-blowing faculty here and I have them at my disposal to help shape this lump of an idea I have into something meaningful. The formalization of the program is a nod to their collective genius . . . we have it here in spades. I am very thankful for how encouraging and welcoming everyone has been, and I am very excited for what might come of it. It is quite literally a dream come true.”

Memorial’s English department has had long-standing relationships with writers in the local community, many of whom have taught in the undergraduate creative writing program and have acted as writer-in-residence. That list includes current writer-in-residence Robert Chafe, Marjorie Doyle, Jessica Grant, Andy Jones, Ed Kavanagh, Mary Lewis, Don McKay, Lisa Moore, Claire Wilkshire and Kathleen Winter. It is hoped that many of them will be involved in the graduate program, as well.

Students will take graduate level courses in fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, and writing for stage and screen. Being taught by professional writers, they will also get a sense of the practical realities of being a writer, which will include expectations from the publishing world and how to develop a publication trail.

“You can't teach creativity in writing or anything else, but you can observe it, encourage it and make suggestions about how it can be developed,” said Professor Larry Mathews, longtime co-ordinator of the undergraduate diploma in creative writing and founding member of the famed Burning Rock Collective.

An online element is in the plans for the future but current students will be taught in a workshop structure, where their work will be critiqued and discussed by professors and peers.

Dr. Loman believes that the new MA will open up the graduate English program to non-traditional and returning students.  Those interested in the program can contact him at aloman@mun.ca.