What Major would writing be under?

Question

Say I wanted to be a professional novel writer...what college major would that be called?

Answer 1

Creative writing would be included in an English major. Many programs have English majors with creative writing emphases (that means you take more creative writing than literature classes). But, of course, you could still write even with a literature or linguistics or comparative literature major (all English degrees).

The terminal degree in creative writing is the M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts) in creative writing. (The M.F.A. is the terminal degree for many creative subjects, including dance and theatre.) With an M.F.A., you could land a university professorship or teach in many other capacities.

P.S. It is very difficult to support oneself as a full-time "professional novel-writer," since money in all writing professions (but especially in creative writing) comes erratically and sometimes does not come at all. Start thinking now about other types of English- or writing-related careers you might like to work in - in addition to writing - for at least supplemental income. Many talented artists otherwise spend their nights waiting tables and making drinks.

Answer 2

Any major. It's a bold answer because schools no longer teach storytelling which is what writing a novel is all about.

Since the 1960s schools have moved towards the extrinsics of storytelling and focus on psychology of the author, gender identity, literary analysis, beat, and everything that writers don't consider when they actually write a story. That used to not be the case and it's more than a coincidence that the Golden Age of American storytelling on page, screen, and stage ended in the 1960s.

If they did offer storytelling, dramaturgy, and other prose arts it would be great...as a painter maximizes talent with craft by taking art classes or a musician takes music classes, you can maximize your talent by taking storytelling courses.

But the classes no longer exist.

To get published you simply must have a story well-told. It doesn't have to be eloquent prose (doesn't hurt) but it can't be purple prose!

Focus on how to write a story and you'll do well. Forget about going to college to learn how to write a story as you'll be wasting your time (college is better suited for other things). There is one exception to this. Film schools still teach about how to write a story. You could focus on screenwriting and learn about how to write a story but that's really not required and they don't really offer enough courses as they should, but at least it would offer you more than any other college or university.

There are lots of websites and message boards with tutorials and articles to help you. They will be infinitely better than any college writing course.

Additionally, I highly recommend "Story" by Robert McKee and "Screenplay" by Syd Field. You can buy them on Amazon or in your bookstore. These books are used as textbooks at the top film schools. Although they have "screenwriting" in the names, they focus on storytelling, not form which should be far from your mind if you're writing a story anyhow.

Read that book. Read fiction. And write. That will do you far greater than taking any creative writing or English courses that aren't actually about storytelling.

Answer 3

ingenious Writing or English per chance. yet make positive you carry out slightly study into what the route includes because i imagine that once interpreting English you do not do this a lot of your own writing, it truly is extra gaining understanding of about literature, some thing like ingenious writing might want to likely have extra emphasis on practise you a thanks to write down. yet interpreting English might want to nonetheless be a sturdy foundation for a writing occupation i'd imagine.

Answer 4

I attend a really cool college that has a Creative Writing major. Hehehe. www.Mala.bc.ca

Check it out.

Answer 5

English or Journalism probably. Talk to your school counselor.