Quote:
Originally Posted by crispygoat  I want to apply to University next year. I am currently a college student in an Advertising program, and realized it is not what I want to do. I would like to write for a magazine, entertainment reviews (such has video games, movies, albums etc.) or teach english in school. I would also like to write scripts for video games but I do understand that would be later.
I was wondering which program I should go for? I understand that professional writing is more the likes of magazines, newspapers and the such and creative writing is more about writing from your imagination such has scripts. But if I study Creative Writing am I as qualified to teach english? Write for a magazine/reviews? Or would I be turned down for someone who has a Professional Writing background?
Thank you. |
The standard degree for someone who writes for magazines & newspapers is a Journalism degree - even if you don't intend to work as a reporter. Degree programs in professional writing
per se are more rare, in my experience, although they do exist. More typically, these programs would function as a Business Writing or Business Communications
concentration within a Communications or Business degree program.
If you're sure that you want to be a writer, then focus on a program that will educate you and train you to be a good writer. If you take a program in English, it won't necessarily make you a good writer. Although it would probably help, it's not designed specifically for that purpose. Conversely, taking a program in writing - creative and/or professional - won't qualify you to teach English. It'll qualify you to teach writing.
If you wish to hedge your bets, you could always major in English, possibly with a concentration in writing - then develop your writing skills with additional coursework and professional experience - when you can get it. Because once you have a degree, potential employers and publishers won't really care how you developed the ability to write. Because the quality of your writing will speak for itself. And if you decide to study writing, there's nothing to say you can't study professional writing and creative writing concurrently. Just recognize that there are tradeoffs, whichever direction you ultimately take - go narrow & deep, or broad & shallow.
Only you know how determined you really are to succeed as a writer. As a general rule, I would say that the more determined you are, the more you should focus on your craft - in your studies
and in your application. Otherwise, take the safer, broader route: the English degree. And develop your writing skills along the way...
MM
