Creative writing is all around us. From short stories to songs, television dramas to advertising campaigns, we’re constantly immersed in stories crafted by individuals.
From the beginning of time, humans have been fascinated by storytelling and its impact on our lives. From legends like King Arthur to Shakespeare, who influenced the works of Dr. Seuss, people have always been inspired by stories.
Now, more than ever, people are inspired by stories. Thanks to the rise of social media, which popularized blogs and other such platforms, writers can now reach literally billions of people with their work, generating an endless stream of potential readers.
If you’re looking for a career in creative writing, or just want to be able to tell stories that will stick out in the minds of others, then this article is for you. Here we’ll discuss what you can do with a major in creative writing, and how to go about getting started in the industry.
Become A Professional
If you’ve decided that you want to study creative writing and pursue a career in the industry, then it’s time to think of the practicalities. What steps should you take to ensure that you make the right choice, and what steps can you take to become a professional in the field?
The first step is to decide what kind of writer you want to be. Do you want to write novels or short stories? Do you want to write for television or film? Do you want to be a journalist and report stories for magazines, or do you prefer to stay anonymous and post original fiction on social media platforms?
There are many options available to you, and it’s important to consider what you want out of a career in order to choose the right major and curriculum. Choosing a major that doesn’t align with your goals can seriously undermine your entire education, even if you graduate with a degree in creative writing. This is why it’s so important to take some time to think about what you want out of a career before you make any major decisions. If you can’t decide, then perhaps a double major in English and Creative Writing is what you need in order to find your calling.
Set A Publication Date
Once you’ve decided what kind of writer you want to be, you’ll need to think about when you want to publish. If you’re looking for fame and fortune, then publication sooner rather than later is your best chance of attaining it. However, if you want to be a professional and start gaining clients and experience, then you’ll need to consider how soon you’ll be able to make this transition. One option is to do a fellowship or residency at a creative writing program, where you’ll be able to get some experience and establish contacts in the industry. Another option is to look for jobs online, where you can post your work and get feedback from potential clients. You might also want to consider self-publishing, where you can take control of your work and determine the pricing and terms of your publication. Self-publishing is particularly beneficial for nonfiction writers, who can take their work in a variety of directions, from ebooks to audiobooks to magazines and newspaper articles. Audio fiction, in which you narrate the story for the listener, is also gaining popularity, so you might want to look into that as well.
Choose The Right Curriculum
The next step is to choose the right curriculum for your creative writing degree. There are several options available, so take some time to research the various majors, their application requirements, and what classes you’ll need to take in order to succeed. Some of the more common options are listed below, though keep in mind that these are just a small subset of the degrees, and you might want to consider alternatives as well.
- English/Creative Writing (or Literature)
- Interdisciplinary Studies (with a focus on creative writing)
- English/Film (with a focus on screenwriting)
- English/Digital Media (with a focus on journalism)
- English/Theatre (with a focus on playwriting)
It’s also important to look into various certification routes that are available to you after you graduate from a creative writing program. For example, you could become a full-fledged editor and work for a smaller publishing house, or pursue an MFA in writing and teach creative writing at a university or community college. There are several routes available to you, so take time to explore what makes the most sense for you.
How Do I Get Started?
Once you’ve decided what you’ll do with your creative writing degree, the last step is to figure out how you’ll get started. How will you fund your studies? Where will you apply for jobs? Will you go to grad school or enter into the work force immediately after you graduate? There are several options available to you, so take some time to think through what makes the most sense for you. If you have questions, then don’t hesitate to ask us. We’re here to help you along the way.