Many students enter college with the hopes of becoming professional writers, but after completing their undergraduateships, they may struggle to secure a job in a literary field. Fortunately, there are options; students can become majoring in creative writing and land an attractive job with some decent pay to support their lifestyles.
The following will discuss a few of the steps involved in becoming a creative writing major.
Decide Which Type
The first step in the process is to decide which type of creative writing you wish to study. Do you want to specialize in fiction or non-fiction? Many universities offer both, but if you are unsure which is the better route, then it’s a toss-up as to whether you should study creative writing or another subject. It’s a good idea to read some of the publications by the students at your chosen university so you can get an idea of what types of work they are producing and whether you want to be part of that or develop your own style.
In general, fiction is viewed as stories that are mostly made up of dialogue, descriptions of scenery, and situations that can be interpreted in different ways, while non-fiction is often defined as the reporting of facts. It’s a well-established fact that creative writing students generally gravitate towards either fiction or non-fiction, with few degrees specializing in both. If you’re still deciding which type of creative writing you want to study, take some time to read a few publications produced by students, either in your university or other reputable institutions across the country. This will help you gain a better understanding of the form and what is expected of you as a creative writing major. Deciding which type of creative writing you want to study is, in other words, a bit like choosing a college major—you want to pick a subject that you are passionate about and that will help you in your job search and further education. Once you’ve made up your mind, take some time to explore your options and choose a major that will equip you with the right skills to enter the job market successfully.
Decide On The Level
The next step in the process is to decide on the level of study you will pursue. Although most universities offer undergraduate degrees, there are often variations in the number of credits required. Some universities may offer a 3-year program with only a bachelor’s degree, while others may offer a 4-year program with a bachelor’s degree plus a master’s degree. This decision will depend on your chosen university, but you should ask about the different types of degrees offered there, as well as what additional courses are required for those degrees. Not only will this give you an idea of what is required, but it can also help you determine if continuing your studies is the right option for you. Remember, you are only beginning your studies and thus far, have only decided on a bachelor’s degree; continuing with postgraduate studies is something you should explore, but only after you’ve secured a job in a creative writing position.
Decide On The Format
The format of your creative writing is something you need to decide on, as well. Do you want your work to be in the form of a novel, short story, or essay? In most cases, you will have the option of choosing between the traditional written format and the newer digital format. The latter offers some distinct benefits to students, such as the ability to write and revise your work online. Many universities offer workshops and classes where you can learn to format your work in digital style, so be sure to take advantage of those opportunities and acquire the necessary skills.
When selecting a format for your creative writing, you must consider the target audience. If you are writing for an academic audience or to be published, the traditional written format will most likely be required. However, if you are writing for your own private amusement or to be entered into a creative writing competition, you may want to opt for the digital format. Bear in mind though that if you decide on the digital option, you will need to learn to format your work in a particular manner. Some software programs, such as Microsoft Word, can be used to format documents for the web. If you are looking for a specific layout, you will most likely need to stick with the written format and learn some HTML or CSS to go beyond the basic template.
Decide On The Method
The last thing you need to decide on before you begin your studies is the method you will use to learn, process, and develop your creative writing skills. There are numerous options available to you, including taking a class or an online tutorial with a reputable writing tutor, reading books and blogs about writing, and joining a campus writing center where you can take part in workshops and get one-on-one help from professionals in the field. In addition, you can also take a look at our collection of the best online creative writing degrees to see if any of the reputable institutions offer anything that suits your needs.
As you can see, there are numerous factors to consider before you begin your studies in creative writing. Deciding which type, level, and format of degree to pursue should be something you take into consideration, as should the method you will use to learn and develop your skills. The choice is ultimately yours, but you should opt for a program that suits your needs and that will equip you with the right skills to enter the job market successfully.