What kind of education or experience do you need to become a writer?

Question

I am interesting in writing books, I am curious to know what kind of degree if any do you need to be able to do so. Also, what is a good way to get started?

Answer 1

Emma:
You need nothing but a good imagination and stories to tell.
I am 69 years old and started writing at 63. Two books now.
If you are serious, keep notes on things people say and do. Pay attention to their stories, their jokes, their actions. I saved my stories for almost 40 years. To busy with life to write. Now retired as I said I have written two books. I could not have accomplished this without my notes. Example, "She looked up at me with those big brown eyes like those of a frightened bush rabbit." Some where, sometime I had heard this and made a note of it. Hope this helps.
Wayne Russell The Vagabond Writer.

Answer 2

You really don't need any specific degree to be a writer... you just have to be able to write well. Some people might major in English, maybe journalism, maybe history... it depends on what you want to write. I would imagine that you want to write about what interests you, so major in whatever interests you the most. A BA in *whatever* is enough to get your foot in the door at a specific company or newspaper or magazine if that's a requirement, but writing talent and knowledg of whatever you're writing about is far more important than a degree.

As far as the best way to get started, it really depends on what and where you want to write. The unversal rule is to WRITE. Write for the school newspaper, write letters to the editor, do internships, write little blurbs for magazines and work your way up. Just get your work out there. You need experience writing and experience in life, because no good writer does so from sitting in an armchair. Live and write. That's all you need.

Answer 3

Well, if ur not writing about some serious school kinda stuff, u don really need any degree or experience. I'm assuming u want to write a story or a novel, maybe a thriller, mystery or romantic novel. Well as long as u have an idea of what to write about, go ahead!
Well, a good way to get started would depend on what u want to write about. Think about what you are going to write, and then just start writing.

Answer 4

A good way to get started is to think of a plot or the idea for your story. An example would be a famous crime fiction writer who suddenly finds herself in a conspiracy she thought would only happen in her fiction. hehehe.

Also, you don't need anything but an innovative mind, a creative imagination, and the will never to give up. When it comes to pursuing something you like, the facts don't count. :)

Answer 5

~You don't need a degree. You need a creative imagination, the ability to put thought to paper, and the skill to make it interesting. Most importantly, you need to have something to say. Then, if you want to make money at it, you need a literary agent and a publisher. You get started by turning out a decent product. The rest will take care of itself.

Answer 6

You don't need anything except your imagination.

Answer 7

a pen and paper is all you need