Arabela
What advice would you give to someone hoping to enter the creative writing field?
All of my friends refer to me as very creative and I do like to write poems and short stories. Thus, I chose creative writing as a major. I would be fine with any sort of career that involved creating writing. I'm open to any advice at all. #creative-writing
4 answers
Jennifer Webb
Jennifer’s Answer
Mark Marinovich
Mark’s Answer
o Learn the basics. You need to know writing basics -- grammar, punctuation, etc. -- to succeed in any medium. Take journalism and creative writing courses, and don't skip grammar courses. I know -- grammar can be tedious, but you need to at least have a handle on it if you want to impress people who can open doors of opportunity for you later on. It will also help you defend your work -- knowledge is power.
o Be obsessive about whichever medium you chose (poetry, literature, etc.). Read the work of writers you admire obsessively and about their backgrounds and writing advice. And write often -- give it everything you've got if you want to be really, really good. You'll need to be an exceptional writer to forge a career.
o Have a fallback writing career so you'll always be able to earn a living, even when publishers aren't beating a path to your door. I'm a freelance copywriter and work with technology companies. It pays the bills and keeps my writing muscles strong.
You're really smart to lay a good foundation now for a long writing career! Best of luck!
Tory Irwin
Tory’s Answer
Hello!
I was also a creative writing major in college and I've had a few writing jobs since I graduated in 2014. I started my career at a newspaper, then ended up writing product descriptions for a national sporting goods chain before I landed in my current position working at a small liberal arts college in the marketing and communications department. In my current role, I do a lot of writing--whether that's writing articles for our website, communications documents for the college, scripts for promotional video, or even social media posts just depends on the day.
My advice is to be open to whatever writing opportunities come your way. In college, I was the Editor-in-Chief of our college newspaper, I tutored other students in writing, and I worked with various clubs on campus on different writing needs they had. All that matters! You never know who you'll meet (it could be a contact who could help you get your writing out there) and it helps you build a strong portfolio for when you're ready to enter the workforce. Always keep writing and believe in yourself. There are a lot of no's in this business, so confidence is key. Listen to constructive criticism about your work, because it can help, but at the end of the day, you need to be happy with what you've written.
Hope that helps!
s c
s’s Answer
They would often answer something in fine arts (as in your creative writing).
He would say, "Then do that."
If you have an affinity and talent, the money will follow.
Even if it doesn't, you'll be doing something you love, which is preferable to doing something you dislike.
It seems to me that a number of successful writers started as journalists.
That, or teaching, may be options if you don't find success in a short time.
But keep at it.
Write.
Write regularly.
One suggested place to post (you can do this yourself; no agent needed): medium.com
You may not earn much to start, but you'll get exposure and perhaps gain readership.
Best wishes.