Writing is my passion and my dream is to be a published writer, but I wonder if it would be smarter to go to college. I write novels, so having a degree would not help me get published in any way. I'm a widowed, single mother of four, so I know I wouldn't have enough time to do both. I worry that if I go to college, between the classes and the kids, I won't have time to write. But I also worry that the writing may not work out, and then I'd need a degree as a back up plan. Financially, I am very stable, so I can afford to do either.
2007-05-06 19:57:14 · 8 answers · asked by theblackenedphoenix 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
You can only learn to write for publication in a college classroom...WRONG I learned how to do it reading books on writing and by joining writer's groups.
Write when college is over...with 4 kids I can only go part time so it will take me at least 8 years for it to be over. How would you feel if I told you that you can't do what you're passionate about until 8 years from now?
2007-05-07 14:52:07 · update #1
As for the "starving artist" thing, maybe you missed the part where I wrote that I'm very financially stable.
2007-05-07 14:55:05 · update #2
Let me see if I got this right: You've got enough funds to support you and your family for a couple of years and if you pursue your writing in that time instead of the degree and it doesn't work out, you'll then have to find a regular job but have no degree to help you get one? That's a tough one. Do you know what kind of degree or career you would want if the writing didn't work out?
The passionate "sieze the day", "reach for the stars" side of me is really rooting for you and wants to tell you to make a go of it. On the other hand, one needs to be realistic and even if you're an excellent writer, it's a very competitive market and there's so much chance involved. Even the best writers of all time got rejection letters for years and years and some never had their works even valued until they had already passed on.
Can you do both on a part-time basis? If you don't think that's feasible and you're ready to take a chance on yourself... I just have to lean toward the "sieze the day" side of me. I say go for it and more power to you!
Okay, but now you have to turn your writing into a paying job, right? You're a novel writer and that's great, but unless you've got a few under your belt already or a great agent, you need to work hard to get yourself noticed and PAID. Try some writing contests. A quick google search will turn up some great ones. I found a bunch who's entry fees were under $20 and the payouts are in the several thousands. There's even some for full or partial novels. Pretty cool!
Try your pen for a year or so and if it's not working out, you can sign up for those classes and check out some jobs - telling the prospective employers that you're working on your degree.
In the end, you gotta do what is best for you both practically and what is true to yourself on a deeper level. I wish you all the best!
2007-05-06 20:25:35 · answer #1 · answered by tenayaledeux00 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The most responsible decision is for you to go to college. Of course, this doesn't restrict you from become a published writer, though, it empowers you! Writing novels takes skills and knowledge of the writers market that you cannot gain anywhere but in a college classroom. Also, going to college will give you an option of making another career for yourself, as most writers are deemed "starving artists" and rightfully so. There are a few who have made it big, but since there is no guarantee, do yourself and your children a favor and choose to become a writer and earn a college degree.
2007-05-06 20:10:13 · answer #2 · answered by Kari Grace 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really should go to college. Very few who want to become published writers ever make it, and you will want skills to fall back on. Why not go to college and major in writing? Join a campus newspaper, or some other way to get your creative juices flowing, practice your form, and get all of the beginners errors out of the way. If it's something you really want, it will happen someday, if you don't let anything stand in your way. However a college education is important. There's a lot to know about writing, proper form, the route to take to get published, etc. You can learn all of that, and so much more by going to college, and if you ever change your mind, or don't make it big writing, you'll have something to fall back on.
2007-05-06 20:20:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I tell any student that is interested in a job that requires talent (writing, singing, acting, painting, etc) to have a back up plan. There is no guarantee that you will make it. I know that you are worried that you would not have time to do both writing and a college degree. College will not be forever and you will definitely have time after to write. Also, if you do a degree in creative writing, you will be writing.
2007-05-07 07:57:15 · answer #4 · answered by Firefly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do both. im a sophomore working on a degree in English with an emphasis in creative writing, and being in college will put you in contact with some great connections at publications, where you can get started with short stories, essays, or whatever, while working on a novel during your off time.
2007-05-06 20:06:56 · answer #5 · answered by begeeman13 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to college and take writing classes.
2007-05-06 20:04:34 · answer #6 · answered by newyorkgal71 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is not either/or. Going to college could give you some skills to market your writing, and may give you some unexpected inspiration to write about.
Going to school is never a bad idea.
2007-05-06 20:03:09 · answer #7 · answered by yurbud 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you're financially stable shoot for the publishing
2016-05-17 07:52:06 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋