degree in creative writing

degree in creative writing

The Importance of a Degree in Creative Writing

1. Introduction

So you want to be a writer. There are many paths to take; some people will tell you that a degree in English or Communications is your best bet, but people who are serious about a career in creative writing tend to find that a degree in creative writing is the best option. While an English or Communications degree is still highly valuable, an MFA in creative writing is coveted by employers. Critics and writers from all over the world flock to these programs, and for many it is the first step towards a promising writing career. A creative writing degree is a very powerful thing; it can take you to places in the writing world that you never thought possible. Most people never consider the creative writer’s bread and butter; a lot of business writing is done. Many creative writers do this on the side while they are working on their own projects, and a great deal of them are successful in it. Nathaniel Hawthorne was the first writer to earn his living writing, he was a business writer. He worked in an office and wrote in the mornings to become one of the most famous professionals of his time. In this day and age, a creative writing degree is important for those interested in professional business writing; times are changing, and most employers are now looking for people with specific qualifications.

2. Developing Writing Skills

By no means are creative writers all the same. We each go about developing our skills in different ways, and some of us feel the need to pursue a formal education in order to do so. The benefits are twofold: you can hone your craft among your peers, which will sharpen your insight into your own work, and you will work under the guidance of published writers who know what it takes to work in the publishing world. Oftentimes these professionals serve as mentors, pointing their students in the right direction and helping them to steer clear of the many obstacles they encountered when they started out. This experience is invaluable, and you will emerge from the program not only with a stronger manuscript, but with an enhanced set of writing skills that will carry over into your next project. Also, when it comes to finding a job in the writing field, the experience it takes to earn an MFA is something that can really make you stand out among the competition. Obviously, earning a degree in creative writing is no guarantee of a publishing deal. Many successful writers did not obtain a degree, and many with MFAs have nothing more than a drawer full of debt and rejection letters to show for it. In fact, degrees can actually be inhibitive. Time spent in the classroom is less time spent writing, and many writers find it difficult to switch back into creative mode after working on analytical academic writing. The decision is an entirely personal one that is best made by weighing the costs and benefits as they apply to your own individual situation.

3. Exploring Different Genres and Styles

Students enrolled in an online MFA program in creative writing will learn to write in a variety of genres, including poetry, short fiction, novels, creative nonfiction, and writing for performance. Because the distance learning model allows students to pursue the degree part time while working or fulfilling other responsibilities, the genres they study may change for various assignments, as they explore the range of their interests, ultimately working in the genres most suitable to their artistic goals. Many on-ground programs urge students to pick a primary genre of focus, such as fiction or poetry, and work solely in this mode throughout the degree. At N:AW students are not required to specialize in any particular genre, but will work to find a balance between their creative and critical coursework over the span of the 3-year sequence. An online program is perfectly suited to explore writing in different genres and for different age groups, as students may work within their chosen genres of study to complete assignments for their classrooms as well.

4. Building a Writing Portfolio

In a university setting, an aspiring writer will have the opportunity to participate in writer’s workshops of all kinds, and the experience gained can be extremely beneficial. Workshops are environments in which writers meet to critique one another’s work and dialogue about aesthetics and style. The student’s work will be put under the scrutiny of various sources, and this can be tough, especially for a young writer who is very close to his work, but it is very healthy. Primarily, an individual’s writing will always benefit from becoming more open to the ideas and criticisms of others. After all, literature is communication, not a personal monologue. A writer can learn much from the opinions of others, and often it will inspire them to view their own work in a different light. In that sense, it can be a stepping stone to achieving a more defined idea of what it is exactly that they would like to write.

The other mainstay of entry into a career in writing is the portfolio. The importance of a degree in creating a comprehensive and effective portfolio is crucial, and with the aid of academia, it can be attained. Education provides the environment in which constructive and objective criticism can be found. It provides an easily accessible pool of writers who are usually more than willing to help one another.

5. Career Opportunities in Creative Writing

Public relations workers create and maintain a good public image for the organization by gaining an understanding of the organization and relaying this to the public. They often write press releases and handle publicity for their clients and utilize creative writing skills to effectively communicate their client’s message. This field is highly competitive; however, it is possible to enter with a creative writing degree and build experience.

With a degree under their belt, most creative writers go on to become authors. Writing the next bestseller, Hollywood blockbuster, or television script is part of the goal for many authors and they often use creative writing skills to accomplish this. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 68% of authors are self-employed. They submit manuscripts to publishers and agents in hopes that they can sell their work. Magazine, journal, and newspaper publishers are gradually replacing full-time writers with freelancers. This is due to the fact that many writings can be outsourced to countries where wages are lower. Self-employment can be a financial struggle and require great effort to build a client base, but the ability to work at home is an attractive option for creative writers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 8% job growth for authors over the next decade.