If you’re reading this, I assume you’re interested in creative writing or literature. Creative writing is all over the place these days—from short stories to novellas to graphic novels—and there’s a place for everyone. Let’s take a look at what a creative writing minor can do. It’s not as easy as you’d think!
Build A Portfolio
The first thing you’ll need to do after deciding to minor in creative writing is build a portfolio. You’ll need a few short stories or novels to show off your talent to potential employers. You don’t need to have published works to do this, but it certainly helps. Getting your work out there and showing it to people is how you’ll build up your reputation as an author. Publishing your work is also a great way to showcase your creative side and get some recognition for your talent.
Get Employed
After you graduate, you’ll have a stack of publications under your belt. You’ll also have an academic record to show off. Now is the time to put all these to use and start looking for employment. Creative writing is a popular choice among employers, especially because it combines two of their favorite things: creativity and writing!
If you can’t find a job in your city, don’t be discouraged; look for other locations where you can make a difference. Many large companies operate in almost all cities, and they frequently post jobs online. You might not get the pay you’re looking for, but at least you’ll be able to use what you learn in your career. For more information on how to find a job in creative writing, check out this informational interview with a recruiter from UpWork.
Grow A Reputation
You’ll also want to grow a reputation as a writer. To do this, you’ll need to write a few short stories or novels and see what the market will bear. You can use online tools like Kelly Blue Book and Scribendi to easily track the sales of your work. The more you write, the more you’ll be able to gauge the effectiveness of your work and decide whether or not to continue publishing.
Attend Conferences
One of the great things about creative writing is that it’s so accessible; anyone can do it. This means that there are lots of opportunities to meet people and make connections. By attending conferences, you can do just that. Conferences are a great place to make connections, learn new things, and build a reputation as a writer. From here, it’s relatively easy to get into the writing industry. Instead of looking at universities as your only source of potential employment, consider looking at online communities like Writer’s Digest Café and attending conferences for writers.
Conversely, if you’re looking for a stable job or just want to be able to pay your bills, you might want to consider a more traditional route. For more information on getting a job in creative writing, check out this informative blog post from the Knight Foundation.
Know Your Audience
The last thing you want to do is write something that nobody wants to read. This is especially important if you’re looking for an audience outside of your local area. If you write for an in-house audience, you can be sure that they’ll be able to relate to what you’re writing. If you’re aiming for an external audience, though, you’ll need to take some time to understand their needs. Try out various platforms like Google Trends to see what topics people are searching for and then decide whether or not you’ll address this in your upcoming work.
If you’ve decided to minor in creative writing, you’ve certainly got some career options lined up. You’ll want to be sure to keep your eyes open for job opportunities and don’t just settle for anything. Having a creative writing minor will certainly open up more doors for you than you’d think possible!