You’ve got a knack for writing and a drive for creating. You enjoy coming up with witty one-liners and you feel strongly about social justice. Perhaps you’ve even got a quirky writing style that captures the hearts of your readers. You know when an old cartoon comes on TV and the mouse says “Oh, goodness, another beautiful day” and then the sun comes out and they all live happily ever after? You’re that kind of person.
But you’ve also got a degree in Fine Arts, which means that you’ve got a lot of artistic ability that you’ve been hiding away. Maybe you’ve got a portfolio of your favorite cartoons or comic strips that you’ve curated over the years. Or perhaps an old theater game that you play with your friends has turned into a hobby that you’ve refined into a creative art form. You’re creative, intelligent, and motivated—you just need a chance to let your freak flag fly.
If so, congratulations! You’ve come to the right place. You’re in the right place. You’re home!
Consider Your Options
It’s time to reevaluate your situation, which may be a bit awkward, considering that you’ve got a couple of degrees already. You’re going to have to make some tough decisions, which is perfectly normal, as there are a lot of options for you to choose from. But before you make a decision, you should do some research and consider your options. The most important piece of advice I can give you is to get a firm idea of what you’re signing up for. Not every program is for you and, believe it or not, there is more than one type of creative writing program out there. Some of them are more focused on fiction, some are more focused on non-fiction. Some are for graduate students, some are for undergraduates. Some have specific requirements for online degrees, some require you to complete a residency in a specific place. It’s important to research the various pros and cons of each option.
The Essentials
No, I’m not talking about your underwear here. I’m talking about the essentials. You’re going to need a few things to get started in your chosen field. These are things like a computer or a notebook, a desk, a chair, Internet access, a dictionary, etc. You’re going to have to set some money aside for rent, too. If you’re looking to live in a shared house, you’ll need to budget for bills such as food and electricity, which can add up. If you can, it’s preferable to purchase these essentials over time or in advance, rather than to buy them at the end of the lease.
The Dos And Don’ts
Speaking of which, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of your creative writing program. This is where you’ll learn the ropes, meet your instructors, and hopefully gain some wisdom. You might get some good advice, which is all you need. There are a lot of things you should avoid, though. You should definitely avoid doing any of the following:
- Throwing away your degree
- Taking on too much debt
- Smoking (tobacco) or drinking (alcohol)
- Being disrespectful to your teachers or instructors
- Getting involved with illegal activities
- Having bad hair days
If you meet any of these people, you’re probably going to end up in a world of hurt. Keep your wits about you and you’ll be fine. Above all, have fun! Make sure your instructors know that you’re having fun, because when they see your enthusiasm and see how easily you learn, they’re going to have fun, too.
The Research
Believe it or not, a lot of people get a thrill out of doing research. Some even see it as a creative challenge. Many professors love to work with their students, which is awesome, because it means they’ve got a whole pool of writers to choose from. When you’re doing your research, you should look for publications in your chosen field. This will give you a good sense of what else is out there and you can start to build your own knowledge base. Never, ever use a paid service to do your research for you. That’s cheating. The information could be outdated, false, or just plain wrong.
Make A Plan
After you’ve got all your essentials taken care of and you’ve got your research done, it’s time to make a plan. A plan is a good idea, because now that you’ve got all that research done and you’ve got the basics taken care of, it’s time to start thinking about what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. That’s the big difference between a plan and just going with the flow, which can often lead you to nowhere. Having a plan is not going to guarantee that you’ll get things done on time or that you’ll do them perfectly, but it’ll at least give you some structure and a better chance of moving forward in a logical manner. It’s also important to note that having a plan does not mean that you have to follow it to the letter, but it can certainly help. In the end, you’ll probably find that you don’t always follow the plan exactly, but it’s better than just going with the flow and hoping for the best. That’s usually how things end up horrible. Believe it or not, having a plan can even make things go more smoothly. There’s a famous saying that has helped many a creative writing student overcome their own obstacles: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” That’s probably the biggest reason why you should absolutely put a plan in place—so you don’t end up failing, because you didn’t plan properly.”
Get Inspired
If you’re struggling to come up with ideas for your creative writing assignments, it might be a good idea to get inspired. You can do this in a variety of ways, but the most effective (and possibly the most fun) is to look for the inspiration in the news. It doesn’t have to be world news or national news; it can be anything that inspires you. Look at what’s happening in your own backyard, too. If you’re in a small community, it’s going to be easy for you to get inspired by the everyday happenings. Do you have a friend who’s got a baby that just started walking? Or a puppy that just learned to walk but is already pulling on the leash? Can you smell the barbeque? Or perhaps you’ve just seen a really funny YouTube video that made you laugh out loud? These are all things that you can use to get writing. If you’ve been meaning to try a new craft or want to try something new with your creative writing, look for opportunities to get inspired. You might just find that what you’re looking for is right next to you.
Join A Society
If you live in Europe, you might want to consider joining a society of writers. These are groups of people who get together periodically to share ideas, feedback, and get some inspiration from each other. If you live in America, you can find similar groups of writers on social media, where people get together to share their writing and get feedback. The advantage of joining a society is that you’ll have access to a lot of talented writers. You can also find competitions and get the opportunity to showcase your work to a wide audience. If you’re looking for a way to get your work out there and in front of potential employers, competitions can be a great way to do that. Some of the societies I mentioned above even have scholarships available for new members. It’s a great way to get started, without having to worry about paying for your tuition, especially if you’re just starting out.
Do Your Research
Speaking of scholarships, many universities and colleges have them as well. Some of these are specifically for creative writing students, so don’t forget about those. You might also want to consider applying for funding through the school’s general department. The important thing is to keep your eyes open and do whatever you can to help out with your studies. Make sure to do adequate research for your projects, though. You’re a creative writer, you should know how to conduct proper research. If you do happen to run into trouble, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your instructors and tutors should be willing to help you out. Your family and friends can also help. If you’re really stuck for ideas, there are plenty of places you can go online and get some good tips. The key to success in this field is to have a little bit of everything—an interest in a variety of topics and an openness to new ideas. If you can master these two things, you’ll be able to create something memorable, which is what matters most.