what degree do you have to have to be a writer?

Answer 1

You don't need a degree in anything. However, I have found that the better authors usually hold a degree in some kind of profession, or are at least, every well educated.
I will tell you what Martyn Godfrey told me... "Never stop reading." (This next part is my personal choice)... I don't stay within one or two genres. I try to read a wide variety of books, (no offence), but the one genre I can't bring myself to read is those romance novels.
I wish you good luck.
CyberNara
When I refer to "better authors", I am referring to authors who ARE writing books... B.T.W. Shakespeare, came from a very well off family, and was educated, (although I think he might have not finished his education), he was a smart person. Ernest Hemingway, I don't know what his education was, but he did a lot of travelling. His knowledge was based on locations, (travelling), mixed with what is said to be a very imaginative mind, (he is said to blur fiction, and reality). As for the others, I don't know anything substantial about them... But there are exceptions to the rule hence, "I have found that the better authors USUALLY hold a degree in some kind of profession, or are at least, every well educated."

Answer 2

There are degrees of writers? Now is that measured by education, by style of writing (is being a poet that much less cool than being a journalist?), or by pure talent?

Kid, you can be however old you want, in whatever station in life and be a writer. You just have to do it. I have friends who have books published and they are no more talented than I am. They have just taken the time to write it, submit it etc. Right now, my greatest accomplishments are in lit mags and newspapers.

But I'll write a book someday. I've already started a series. The key is to write every day, and you'll find your own path if you truly want to be a writer.

My path began when I was a child, for I loved to read. If that's your starting point, that's fine. Study grammar until it oozes out your ears, freewrite for 30 minutes without stopping, try writing a newspaper article (500ish words, no bias, only facts, interesting angle...), write a short story, attend writing workshops and poetry slams, read, talk to other writers...

I know this is hastily written, but I think it will help you. Have a good one.

Answer 3

No degree is required to be a writer. However, you'll want to have A degree for your backup career. You can't make a living at writing so it's a good idea to plan a secondary career.

I suggest you go for a degree in television broadcasting or public relations or accounting. Keep English as your minor.

Television broadcasting gives you an "in" if you decide to write screenplays. That's where the big money is in writing.

Public relations relates to technical writing and is always in demand by businesses, local governments, and national governments. It will also help with your writing career.

Accounting is a very much in demand career field. You'll never have to go far to find a job in this field. You can work in small towns or cities. You can also get work setting up payroll systems for businesses too small to have a full-time bookkeeper (construction businesses, for instance). These businesses pay well and leave you time to write.

Answer 4

Greatest degree of a writer is the tenacity of going on, you see I am very much interested in writing and I do write but after sometime I loose my interest and delete it. After sometime it comes back at me and I regret why did I delete it?
So, you cannot become a writer in a day. A good writer has got qualities of patience, tenacity because the affairs of what are happening affects the writer and you can also add your own life experience that way.
Good Luck.

Answer 5

The best writers had no degree. Charles Bukowski, Céline, Bill Shakespeare, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Answer 6

A writer of what? Different careers need different degrees.

Most authors of fiction books don't have any degrees related to writing/English.

Answer 7

You don't need a degree. The best preparation for becoming a writer is to read constantly, and to study English grammar and usage.

Answer 8

Every writer should be able to ace the English section of the high school equivalency test (GED). Many college graduates can't, and many fourth graders can.

Answer 9

Only an informal higher degree in the accurate observation of life.