It’s official: summer is here. Which means one thing: it’s time to go back to school. For many of us, that also means it’s time to hit the books and get some coursework done. There’s no question that finishing school is one of the most exciting times in a student’s life. However, it can also be one of the most stressful. After all, you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you. But, thanks to the explosion of creative writing courses in urban areas throughout the United States, things are a little bit different these days. More and more students are seeing their dreams of becoming a writer come true. So, let’s take a quick look at how the creative writing scene in Indianapolis is changing, for the better.
The Rise Of Short-Lived Trends
One of the things that make the creative writing course so attractive is that it doesn’t require a lot of coursework. In most cases, you’ll simply need to attend class regularly and sit down with your instructor to work on new assignments. Which is great because it means your creative writing degree can be completed in a relatively short amount of time. As a result, there’s been an explosion of short-lived trends in the city. People are interested in writing for films, trying their hand at graphic novels, or writing a novel in 24 hours. While many of these ventures may sound fantastic, they’re definitely a bit dangerous. If you don’t put the time in to actually finish the project, you could lose a lot of money and goodwill. So, it’s important to set up regular writing time and stick with it. Otherwise, you’re just setting yourself up for disappointment.
More Opportunities
Another potential pitfall of any creative writing course is that it can sometimes put you in a bit of a rut. After all, you’re spending all of your time getting your creative on. And, if you don’t get out there and network, you’re just letting your creative writing degree get stale. The good thing about many urban areas is that there are so many opportunities for budding writers. From journalism to advertising, there’s a career path for everyone. Plus, many companies will even pay you to write promo material for their products. Or, if you’re looking to write for the screen, there are plenty of courses specifically designed for that purpose. With so many options, it can be hard to decide what to do next. Which is why networking is so important. You never know when a connection could lead you to your next opportunity.
A Tougher Audience
Although creative writing courses can be an amazing opportunity, they can also be quite challenging. After all, you’re not just writing for your own entertainment these days. You’re writing for an audience of one, your instructor. Which means that, at least in theory, you have to write something that will compel them to keep coming back for more. As a result, you can expect to face some pretty tough criticism at times. Even tough criticism can be an amazing source of growth, though. Especially if you use it as a teaching tool. When you get an ‘F’ in a creative writing course, it can be hard to see what you’ve written. But, when you compare that to the pride that comes with an ‘A’ on an important project, it’s not hard to see what would make the difference. Getting a good grade in a creative writing course can also mean that more people are interested in your work. Which can open up a whole new world of opportunities. Even if you don’t end up pursuing a writing career, you’ll still be able to use a creative writing degree to pad your resume.
More Than Meets The Eye
As much as we all love to see success stories, it’s important to remember that, in many cases, a good chunk of the credit goes to the people who helped him or her get there. In the case of Brandon Sanderson, who hails from Indianapolis and is now a successful author, this sentiment is more than just a cliché. Sanderson credits his success to a combination of talent, hard work, and luck. While he worked hard to get where he is, he also admits that he had a lot of help from people who believed in him. In fact, he mentions his “Indie Creative Writing Community” more than once in the following interview with The New York Times.
“I credit the ‘Indie’ part of my name with giving me the confidence to take a chance on a few projects I’d never even considered. I also credit my local writing group with helping to get my first book, The Reckoning, published. We had no money to spend on ads or publishing fees, so we decided to self-publish. I had no idea how much work was involved in doing this, so I owe an incredible amount of gratitude to my friends and family for helping me to see this dream through.”
Indie Vs. Traditional
Whether you realize it or not, you’ve already started down the path to becoming a writer. Every time you write a novel, screenplay, or short story, you’re creating new work and honing your skills. The good news is that, as an aspiring writer, you have countless opportunities ahead of you. Whether you decide to pursue a traditional route and get a degree in literary arts or go the indie route and fund your passion for writing through your own hard work and determination, the sky is the limit.
As we’ve mentioned, creative writing can be a great way to fund your writing career. And not just because it can lead you to a successful career. Even those who decide not to pursue a writing career can benefit from the experience of writing for the sake of writing. Self-reflection is also a great tool for anyone, regardless of whether or not you decide to pursue a career in writing. If you get a chance to try out a creative writing course, take it. No matter what, you’re sure to learn something new about yourself and your writing career.