To some extent, all writing is creative. Writers must consider the words they will use, how they will organize their ideas, and how they will appeal to an audience. However, the term “creative writing” usually refers to the creation of specific types of work, such as poetry, drama, short stories, personal essays, long and short fiction, and some nonfiction. It extends beyond certain types of writing, such as journalism or technical work, and there are times when writing is both creative and professional.
People can study creative writing in many colleges and vocational schools, and they can also study it in high school. Those interested in pursuing a degree in this field should expect to do a lot of reading. They’ll read examples from some of the world’s best writers, both past and present, as well as books, texts, and guidelines on how to get started or improve their writing skills. It should almost go without saying that anyone studying creative writing will need to devote a significant amount of time to practicing the craft.
Students who study creative writing in college can earn a BFA, or Bachelor of Fine Arts, degree. Some people earn a BA in English literature instead, but their college studies were primarily focused on creative works. Students can continue their education at the graduate level, and many programs in the field of creative writing offer an MFA or Master of Fine Arts degree. There are some doctoral programs that may offer this study as well, but they are still uncommon.
People who want to write primarily plays or screenplays may study separately for this. They’ll almost certainly get a fine arts degree, but it might be in screenwriting or drama. This varies by school, but many people who want to specialize in one of these fields look for a school that specializes in that field.
It is not always necessary to major in creative writing or English to pursue this profession. It may attract people from a variety of backgrounds or disciplines. Before writing works like The Firm, John Grisham worked as a lawyer, and J. K. Rowling studied French at university. Other authors, such as Laurie R. King, have studied a variety of subjects, including religious studies.
There are numerous options for pursuing a writing career. While some people prefer to study in a classroom, others prefer to learn by doing and may attend a creative writing workshop on occasion. Many of these can be found online and in a variety of local communities.
It’s worth noting that some of the world’s most successful writers never took a creative writing class, but it can certainly help. Good writing skills are essential, which means that most creative writers must understand grammatical conventions as well as the art forms in which they work. They must have excellent language skills in general.
A degree in this field is not required, but perseverance, as well as the ability to take criticism, is. The majority of writers are accustomed to having their work repeatedly rejected. It’s also not a field where most people will hit the jackpot and make a lot of money. Many people can at least make a living if they keep working and submitting work, and there are now many ezines and Internet sites that pay a small fee for creative works, in addition to more traditional publications such as magazines and books.