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El Barto
= Song DB Master =
USA
4020 Posts |
 Posted - 09/10/2003 : 12:47:56
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I've always had an interest in becoming a writer...I've always been a good writer according to those who know me (and the teachers I've had over the years. I remember in 2nd grade I was like, the master of subjects and predicates [sp?]). I've always just had the knack for it, and Creative Writing was one of the few classes I actually looked forward to in High School. I always had the knack for proofreading. Even when I decided to be a rock star, I thought up being a writer as a backup plan because it's almost the same thing...you're either writing stories into song lyrics or you're just writing stories.
I've always been a firm believer in my theory that not everyone possesses a high level of creativity. It's something you're born with, and you work at is as you grow and make it a part of who you are. While I'm good with computers and stuff, I don't see myself getting satisfaction out of doing that for a living. I feel like I would be wasting my talent if I don't make it what I do.
I hated high school and school in general, and I never really wanted to go to college until now. I want to go to college to become a writer. I'm looking for people to give me advice on what to shoot for, if anyone here has gone to college for just that, what I should major in, etc. I'm looking at either English or Professional Writing. I don't want to go for Journalism because that's too specific and not necessarily the route I want to go in...I'd like to write editorials and maybe articles on music or computers, but at the same time be writing fiction, maybe screenplays...what does everyone think, eh?
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FRANK BLACK SATAN WORKSHIP BLACK MASS |
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Brackish Girl
~ Soul Eater ~
Ireland
1750 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 12:52:43
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| good luck! |
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ramona
"FB Quote Mistress"
USA
3988 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 13:11:52
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I think if you want to be a writer, you need to write. That sounds VERY basic, but it's true. There are all sorts of music, computer, and fiction writing magazines which accept submissions on a regular basis. Start writing and sending them in, you will probably get 20 rejection letters before you get any acceptance, but in my opinion, you just have to get in there and GO.
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Crispy Water
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
819 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 13:38:44
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I second that. Just as you say yourself that creativity cannot be taught, I happen to feel the same way about talent. If you have the ability to write pieces that will matter to people it will be the content that dictates your success, not your education. Of course, having a degree with which to back it up could never hurt, but I quit university in large part because I felt the structures were destroying my own writing. I'm not saying don't go to college, that's completely your choice. ramona's right though - if you can get yourself noticed that's the most important thing. Don't get frustrated with the inevitable initial frustrations either; once you do get noticed or published, your name will suddenly mean something and you won't have to concoct a masterpiece just to be taken seriously. That doesn't mean once you're in print it becomes easy, I'm just saying the first breakthrough will always be the most challenging.
Nothing is ever something. |
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ramona
"FB Quote Mistress"
USA
3988 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 13:49:42
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| My father who is an artist says you need to just say "I am a writer" not "I want to be a writer" b/c in his opinion you either are or you aren't and I think that is true. |
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Crispy Water
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
819 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 13:50:21
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Yeah, confidence is definitely a big part of the game.
Nothing is ever something. |
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St. Francis
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
548 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 14:17:24
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I want to be a writer too,
I agree with Ramona that simply writing is the way to do it. I have the skills (although my grammer and spelling suck) that I gained by writing heaps at Uni but I am just lazy when it comes down to doing anything about my desire.
Lately, I have thought of taking some courses to motivate me.
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misterwoe
= Cult of Ray =
Greece
675 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 14:53:43
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If you really want to be a professional writer than you've got to go to college. These days a college degree is essential for things like that. In fact, most magazines and what not won't even look at your stuff unless it's backed by a college degree. Your best bet would be to major in English. With an English degree you can do everything that a Journalism degree would give you and more. Just make sure that you have a minor in jouranalism.
When it comes to creative writing, however, DON'T take any class that you feel may cramp a style that you are already happy with. What would be the point? In creative writing, whether you're doing a script, songs, short stories, a novel, or anything else you have to do it for one person, you. It's impossible to sit down and write a full-blown novel with other people or other things in mind. In the end, you'll be way too critical of yourself and never get pass the first page. If you write something for you and you only it will be a piece of art, and there were be other people who natually appeal to it.
I guess I'm basically trying to say that creative writing classes are bullshit. If you really want to enhance your writing, stick with basic English courses. Most importantly, you should pick a writer you really enjoy and study how they came to success. When it comes to creative writing, I really enjoy Stephen King. I'll sit down and read his books, studying how he builds the characters, and how he pulls off certain elements. Moreover, I'll look at his personal life. I look at the struggles and the creative process he goes through.
Is any of this helpful? I've barely scratched the surface. I myself am working on my English degree right now. I have been a writer since junior high, when I first saw the movie, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I commend you to read "The Elements of Style" by EB White. Very good stuff...
How about some Ether? |
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JamesM
= Cult of Ray =
308 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 15:03:09
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Nah, a journalism minor isn't necessary for an English major; any sort of minor (or double major especially) looks good with a degree in English. We also live in an age where it's quite easy to publish yourself (what's this about an "inter - net"?) - doing so successfully will catch the eyes of prospective publishers / editors. Creative writing courses bullshit? I don't particularly like them, but I don't know if "bullshit" is the correct term; they may actually help some people. But I tend to agree with MisterWoe that the best way to become better is to analyze how other authors, uh, for lack of a better phrase "do things".
-Jimmy M. |
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St. Francis
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
548 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 15:49:44
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I tend agree with James. I don't think a Journalism degree is necessary... at time a niche will do. I think it is good to write and supplement this with some crazy shit you have seen by other authors... Hunter S. is a good one.
I think a post grad Journalism degree (taken at college in Canada in 9 months a Uni undergrad is a must) gives a little force when trying to open doors. Then again if you have it you have it and it doesn't really matter what you have done but what you can do...
I think the key is not being lazy and writing a lot...
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Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 18:44:49
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| Less chatter, more platter..get writing! |
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Brackish Girl
~ Soul Eater ~
Ireland
1750 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 20:21:16
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everytime i see this thread i see 'i want to be sedated' rather than 'i want to be a writer'. this should be in the sleep thread :).
i just found out i got an A in english on my jun.cert.all hail me! |
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glacial906
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1738 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2003 : 01:45:31
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Hey Jim,
You will definitely need to analyze some other writers for one thing, and in your post about your problems with Megan you said you didn't much like to read. I love to write, and I would like to believe that whatever private insights I choose to bestow to the world in literary medium -- whether it be writing books or writing to this forum -- will strike a chord with some people. But, due to the fact that my mind is one among billions, and operates very differently than any other one person's, it is somewhat understandable when the majority of people don't know what the fuck I'm babbling on about. You need to find a "voice," or some way of refining your own intelligence to appeal to a wider audience. That, in my experience, only comes from studying the works of the masters. There are SOOOOOO many books out there. I'm not saying copy anyone, but when you find someone whom you identify with, whether that person is a contemporary writer or long dead, you will find a method of relaying your message to the world: a little bit of your voice.
"...you can see here by my grin I don't give a fuck..." |
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Frog in the Sand
-+ Le premiere frog +-
France
2715 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2003 : 02:07:40
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As a journalist / writer / screenwriter, the only advice I can give you is : Write, write, write again and again !!!
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blackpurse
= Cult of Ray =
USA
299 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2003 : 05:33:03
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I'll echo the other writers on this board:
WRITE WRITE WRITE!!!!
I'm on a five year plan to get out of IT and back into journalism. Info gathering year started last year, and the pregnancy has put an interruption in the process (now its going to be a 7 year plan, but I noted that in my personal project charter that a pregnancy might push my timeline back).
Seriously, besides writing, I'd strongly suggest getting your hiney into college. I don't agree that creative writing classes suck. Good CW programs provide feedback, editing, revision, basic skills that will help you hone your craft. I have a classic view of a well rounded liberal arts education in that it really does provide a wider look at the world.
I also suggest investigating journalism. I minored in it (even though I wanted to be a journalist) The basic courses will help you get some tried and true practices that will serve you well, no matter what type of writing you pursue.
Finally, what nobody has mentioned and it sounds corny, but you need to start schmoozing and making contacts. College is a great place to do that, and the college paper or literary magazine is a great place to start building up your clip file.
One of my mentors on my five year plan also suggested hitting national writers workshops. I went to one sponsored by the Poynter Institute on the campus of Harvard last fall and it was time and money well spent. They had one seminar about freelance writing that centered not on the writing itself, but on the weird lonliness that accompanies it. The whole weekend tuition is $250 (and the quality of the speaker list justifies it -- most business seminar weekends of this caliber run $500-1000). If you can't afford the hotel (the Hyatt Regency Cambridge, though you can deduct this as a business expense if you itemize), I'm sure there's enough FB fans here in the Boston/Cambridge area who could put you up. Not only will it get you charged up, you will make contacts contacts contacts if you schooze well. I'd be there myself this year if I wasn't going to be nursing an infant and recovering from surgery. In addition, offer to "write a letter to colleagues" from the conference. They become clips. I did eight of them. Here are my two favorites:
http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=10658
http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=10670
And here's a link to info on the conference:
http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/narrative/bios.html
"Sacred cows make the best burgers!"
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5155 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2003 : 05:39:46
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yeah, totally el barto - write your head off. just write anything for now, until you decide what kind of writer you want to be : fiction, non-fiction, etc. i recommend for starters writing what you know about - review some records, write an article about FB, interview the Bennies, etc.
just a suggestion
good luck friend
-brian |
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El Barto
= Song DB Master =
USA
4020 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2003 : 10:45:33
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Ahh! Schmoozing! Aren't most writers, by defition, loners? I sure am! Thanks for the advice guys :)
FRANK BLACK SATAN WORKSHIP BLACK MASS |
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blackpurse
= Cult of Ray =
USA
299 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2003 : 11:15:15
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quote:
Originally posted by El Barto
Ahh! Schmoozing! Aren't most writers, by defition, loners? I sure am! Thanks for the advice guys :)
FRANK BLACK SATAN WORKSHIP BLACK MASS
That's exactly what the freelancers cafe at the Nieman workshop addressed. Schmoozing isn't exactly something independent writers are big on. But its so, so important. Its like the music industry, right place, right time, its who you know. I have more than a fw opportunities before me based on:
-- my former journ prof who remembers me and gave me permission to drop his name. Got me in a few doors
-- my buddies from college who are in the field, whom I worked closely with at the student newspaper
-- people I met at that conference -- two of whom I wrote about
No its not fair, but that's the way the world works.
"Sacred cows make the best burgers!"
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Edited by - blackpurse on 09/11/2003 11:17:14 |
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