Morag Wehrle, a mom of three in Victoria, British Columbia, had been waiting a long time to write the book she knew was waiting inside her. Completing her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction, she honed her craft and discovered the tools needed to bring her closer to her dream.
What drew you to King’s originally?
I was looking for a program that would give me not just advancement in my writing craft, but the practical tools I would need to navigate the publishing industry. King’s was the only program that met those criteria.
What program are you graduating from, and what inspired you to pursue that program?
I completed my Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Nonfiction in April 2025, but the book project I honed during my studies had been waiting for a long time for me to write it. I knew I had an important story to tell about my experience with postpartum depression, but I needed some guidance to bring it to life.
Was there a course, professor, reading requirement or experience that has had a lasting impact on you?
The opportunity to read my work in front of peers and mentors, and to hear my colleagues read as well, was one of my favourite things about the program. It was a great way to build literary community, hear what my fellow students were working on, and receive live feedback in a supportive, friendly setting.
What item got the most use during your degree (ex: headphones, water bottle, a specific hoodie, a certain app?)
I’m annoyingly particular about my pens. I bought at least six packs of my favourite style of rollerball fine-liners over the course of the last two years.
Do you do your best work at night or in the morning?
As a busy mom of three, I get my work in wherever I can find a free 20 minutes. Sometimes that’s at 6 a.m.; other times it’s close to midnight. I find I’m productive in different ways at different times of day, so it’s all about tapping into what I have the energy for at the moment.
If you could relive one day from your time at King’s, what day would it be and why?
Getting the chance to pitch my book to an editor in New York and receiving such enthusiastic, whole-hearted feedback! That experience helped push me to start looking for an agent and gave me the encouragement I needed to believe my project was really and truly viable.
What’s one thing from your time at King’s that you’re especially proud of?
Completing the program to my own high standards while navigating a complex chronic pain condition and the life of a busy parent.
Thinking back to who you were when you received your acceptance letter, what would you tell her?
You’re going to learn so much and meet such amazing people. Put your fears aside and embrace the opportunity to learn from some incredible mentors, as well as your diverse classmates.
As Encaenia approaches, do you have any insights you’d like to share with incoming students?
You will get out of this program what you put into it. Read as much as you can, write as much as you can. Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Allow yourself to make mistakes.
Where do you hope your degree takes you next?
Much to my family’s dismay, I’ve already started looking at creative writing PhD programs. But the next step is finding the right agent to take on my book, The Madwoman’s Ghost, and stepping forward into the next phase of my writing life.
