Do I have to go to college?

Question

I want to be a writer of novels and short stories and honestly can't see myself doing anything else. It has been that way since I was seven. I'm planning to begin sending out my first novel to agencies by the end of 10th grade. I promised myself that if I don't get any proposals, by the first semester of 11th grade, I'll consider college.
Good idea?

Note: This isn't my first novel, it is about my 20th. This is the one I and readers of it feel the most confident in.
It would be my first published novel.

Answer 1

Quite honestly, it helps. Most of today's authors have college degrees. Some publishers even require it. I got an English degree, but I got a degree in architecture too. Fortunately I have never had to use that degree, but if writing ever slows down for me, I can always build bridges or skyscrapers ... or baseball stadiums. That would be cool. A woman designed Camden Yard and several others.

You also need a contingency plan in case it turns out you aren't going to make it as an author. Only about 5% of all authors make a living at it. You really will need a career to support yourself. Also, you don't send your novel around to agencies. That is not how it is done. It will only earn you a place on the slush pile waiting for a rejection letter. Get yourself a copy of Writers Market and start learning the proper way to query publishers and agents. Also, there are many good answers archived here at Resolved Questions for you to read through.

You have to learn to advocate for yourself. That takes a lot of time learning how things are done. And as for college, I would go along with Stephen King who said in his opus "On Writing", --- "in order to become a great writer you must first become a great reader." I was always a good reader, but I didn't become a great reader until I got to college and found a mentor who recognized my writing talents and helped me.

I truly believe writing is a gift from your Creator that you are born with. But once you receive that gift, it is your responsibility to hone and train it until you have turned the gift into a skill and talent. That requires education. Never underestimate the value of a college education on many levels. It not only teaches you subjects, it also teaches you things like socialization, independence, decision making, prioritization, critical thinking, how to present yourself properly ... and a lot of other important life lessons ... Pax - C

Answer 2

While college is a good idea - helps getting a good salary and all, it's not for everyone or all professions. When your goal is something that can have a one shot opportunity, college can just get in the way.

You sound like you've thought it out, so I would say stick with your plan. Be prepared to be the starving artist for a little while if the first book doesn't get snapped up right away. But I would definitely keep at it.

Good luck!

Answer 3

College is an opportunity to learn new ways of thinking and writing. If novel writing is your calling, you cannot lose with higher education. Consider a college with a good creative writing program. You may meet well known authors and learn a lot from them. And it wouldn't hurt to learn more about English and history. A good college writing program could transform your writing in ways you cannot now know. You're young and you'll be writing for the rest of your life. Go to college now while you're young!

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Answer 4

Great idea! :)

It sounds like you have a great future planned out already and that is a wonderful start. A lot of young people your age have no ideal what they want to do with their life. So I give you 2 thumbs up and wish you only the best in life. I hope to get the pleasure to read one of your novels one day. Good luck again! :)

Answer 5

That's a good idea, but keep in mind colleges can have great classes in creative writing and all that! Also, college is good to have something to fall back on, in case there is a long time span between publishing your first and second novel! =)

Answer 6

I myself write short stories and poems. I would considering going to college a good idea. Don't major in English and lit though. Get something that can be really useful then live life a little. Then pick up on the writing, really its a good idea.

Answer 7

Well, it is always nice to have something to fall on, and there are some great courses out there for writing (in College) that you would never get at High School. I think it is better to go to College after High School than later in life, I could actually be more ahead in life if My husband went sooner, but we are struggling with 3 children as he is getting his Associates and then has to continue on to his bachelors before he gets a better paying job. Show off your skills with all those essays and things you have to write.

Answer 8

college is still a good idea given how being published isn't quick and easy. I want to be a writer as well, but I'm at university and majoring in creative writing. Need to earn money to feed myself and print my manuscript while I try, and minimum wage doesn't cut it.

Answer 9

I think you have a good plan. I should warn you, the chances of getting your first novel published are zero.

Answer 10

That sound's like a pretty good plan.

I was raised to believe that college was mandatory, so I've always planned on it. However, as I've gotten older, I've learned that not everybody chooses to get higher education, which is fine.

If your parents are okay with it, and it works for you, that sounds like a pretty good plan.

Good luck in your writing career!