tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post5567266596489193662..comments2024-01-12T00:48:48.031-06:00Comments on Go Teen Writers: What Should I Study In College If I Want To Be A Writer?Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-82387837130521878022015-12-18T09:47:20.372-06:002015-12-18T09:47:20.372-06:00This is such an awesome post! Though I do hope to ...This is such an awesome post! Though I do hope to be a full-time writer someday, I'm actually not planing to study writing in college. I might take a few classes, but I'm mostly going to focus on getting a teaching degree, and develop my writing craft by simply writing. :)<br /><br /><br />Alexa<br />thessalexa.blogspot.com<br />verbositybookreviews.wordpress.comAlexa Mintahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13865586987033390255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-85248482150110409912015-12-13T17:47:21.825-06:002015-12-13T17:47:21.825-06:00THIS WAS SO HELPFUL!! Thanks so much. I want to be...THIS WAS SO HELPFUL!! Thanks so much. I want to be an interior design but also a writer. Also, I've been wondering, is getting published similar in other countries, for example Australia?Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-43581835481989001742015-12-09T13:11:00.580-06:002015-12-09T13:11:00.580-06:00This is so encouraging. I'm studying to be an ...This is so encouraging. I'm studying to be an elementary school teacher (because I love kids) and I'm surprised about how many people have told me I should changed my major if I want to write. I've kind of been second-guessing what I want to do, but after reading this, I am so glad that I decided to study education. Thanks, Stephanie! (:Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10469955355822267713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-20720820156994853382015-12-09T10:55:04.408-06:002015-12-09T10:55:04.408-06:00Thank you! That is so encouraging and helpful! S...Thank you! That is so encouraging and helpful! So far I have only written novel beginnings, with bits and pieces of middles and ends. There is one that calls to me to finish it though, and I have lots of ideas ... perhaps too many. I'll take your advice and just not overthink or worry about it. That is good to remember-that writing a novel is supposed to be hard, because it is! I'm very excited now to just keep writing and see what happens:)Mallory O'Bierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12356144327554609468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-54343685287649980562015-12-09T10:35:39.017-06:002015-12-09T10:35:39.017-06:00I hope so, because I ALWAYS feel insecure about th...I hope so, because I ALWAYS feel insecure about the book I'm writing. Here are my thoughts on your first one:<br /><br />1. You're doing a very hard thing. Telling a big story from beginning to end is hard work. Which is why for a long time, I only wrote story beginnings. Pushing through to the end taught me so much, though, and it's a big milestone for a writer. <br /><br />2. "Somewhat good" is a great goal for any first draft. Here's a link to a post I did on how bad a useful first draft can be: http://goteenwriters.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-bad-can-bad-first-draft-be.html<br /><br />3. Do your best to just have fun. That's your job right now. You don't need to worry about how long it is or what Grandma will say or if you're telling the story right. Try to have fun with the creation. You can fix mistakes in edits - that's what they are for!<br /><br />And here's a link on tips for finishing first drafts: http://goteenwriters.blogspot.com/2014/05/5-tips-for-finishing-your-first-draft.html<br /><br />Press on, Mallory!Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-86655275026943755882015-12-09T10:30:43.504-06:002015-12-09T10:30:43.504-06:00Great question!
Here's how I did it without c...Great question!<br /><br />Here's how I did it without college: <br /><br />I wrote. I wrote a lot. <br /><br />I read book after book about the craft - Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott and On Writing by Stephen King were the first two that I discovered. James Scott Bell has lots of great ones, and his are very clean. <br /><br />I read lots of books in the genre I wanted to write. I went to those authors' websites and soaked up their story and any resources they had for writers.<br /><br />I went to local writers conferences that I could afford. I listened to their advice. I made writer friends. We traded material and critiqued for each other. Mostly it was helpful, but I also learned to ignore advice that was dumb. Like the writer who told me I shouldn't name Skylar's boyfriend Eli because it sounded Amish to her. <br /><br />I read lots of blogs. And if you want an amazing, free education on writing, start listening to the Writing Excuses podcasts. There's gold in there. http://www.writingexcuses.com/<br /><br />But these things only work if you keep writing along the way.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-24800220447917421772015-12-09T10:16:12.029-06:002015-12-09T10:16:12.029-06:00Can you recommend any particular methods or resour...Can you recommend any particular methods or resources that can help a writer (like me) who is still struggling to complete that first novel? I want to do it right, if you know what I mean, even though I realize that there is probably no wrong way to write just any novel, I do want it to be somewhat good ... is it silly to feel insecure about writing a novel? Mallory O'Bierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12356144327554609468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-36317885596757001772015-12-09T03:27:08.229-06:002015-12-09T03:27:08.229-06:00A question... If college is not an option, how do ...A question... If college is not an option, how do you recommend that a writer continue his "writer's education" and improve his writing?Rebekah D. Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02216040512555099417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-87954499117511056642015-12-08T22:59:26.446-06:002015-12-08T22:59:26.446-06:00The only downfall is the fact that unlike everyone...The only downfall is the fact that unlike everyone else here, my choices are sort of limited. I don't like math and I'm very bad at it. I'm not a fan of history. And science is not something I'd be happy doing my entire life. I have a very tiny personal talent pool. All I'm good at it is writing and fashion which I why I wanted to go into fashion journalism. Sadly my chosen college has no classes related to fashion at all.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11881323297366779812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-60949407633091531682015-12-08T14:40:34.468-06:002015-12-08T14:40:34.468-06:00I might go to college to get a teacher's certi...I might go to college to get a teacher's certificate... Because I might need it in the future if it becomes a must for homeschooling your kids. Who knows where God will take me, though. :-PCarrie-Anne Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02840611324784474990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-40378672950612805222015-12-08T10:42:46.464-06:002015-12-08T10:42:46.464-06:00Thank you so much, Cindy. What awesome advice. So ...Thank you so much, Cindy. What awesome advice. So many of my friends who thought they'd found The Perfect School wound up transferring somewhere else. Or those who thought they knew what they wanted to do discovered they were a better fit with something they didn't even know existed until they went away to college. Like you said, it has a way of working out.<br /><br />I haven't looked into Writer's Digest Tutorials. Thanks for the tip!Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-66313719993384329692015-12-08T10:40:18.067-06:002015-12-08T10:40:18.067-06:00Thank you, Joy! My husband and big kids slowly see...Thank you, Joy! My husband and big kids slowly seem to be on the mend around here, and the baby and I are still healthy. <br /><br />I'm glad you said that, Joy. I remember feeling so much pressure to know exactly where I should go to school and exactly what I wanted to do, and I know my friends felt the same way. The truth is, there's time to figure it out, even if you're already in college.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-13125820555374730872015-12-08T10:37:46.304-06:002015-12-08T10:37:46.304-06:00I hear good things about Taylor University too. I ...I hear good things about Taylor University too. I haven't looked into it myself but it seems like it could be a good choice.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-88688855782625295072015-12-08T10:36:47.032-06:002015-12-08T10:36:47.032-06:00Those all sound like great choices, Andrea!Those all sound like great choices, Andrea!Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-48227465959249108582015-12-08T10:35:12.538-06:002015-12-08T10:35:12.538-06:00Sorry, Hailey :( I hope you feel better soon!
Cre...Sorry, Hailey :( I hope you feel better soon!<br /><br />Creative writing won't hurt you, certainly, but I can't think of a single writer friend of mine with a major in creative writing. If your goal is to use your degree to make money, I would pick something else. Writing you can learn much cheaper from blogs, conferences, paid critiques, and just plain doing it. Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-68891570376354520712015-12-08T10:32:02.683-06:002015-12-08T10:32:02.683-06:00Which is the best goal you can have, Eliza :)Which is the best goal you can have, Eliza :)Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-18692777846814266982015-12-08T10:30:48.790-06:002015-12-08T10:30:48.790-06:00I think it's not only possible, but it's a...I think it's not only possible, but it's a reality for many authors to work full time and do the writing thing. Writing is one of those jobs where there's always something more you could be doing. You can always revise one more time. You can always make another marketing push. You have to learn by trial and error to say, "This is how much time I can commit to this right now" and just do your best with what you have.Stephanie Morrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-5357666948456370372015-12-07T21:39:08.498-06:002015-12-07T21:39:08.498-06:00Stephanie, thank you so much for posting this.
W...Stephanie, thank you so much for posting this. <br /><br />Writer's Digest University and their tutorials is a great idea to check into and super simple.<br />Having a marketing or business degree or at least some training, comes in very handy. <br /><br />If I could offer the same advice we gave each of our children when it came to college, it would be, "Pursue what you believe you will enjoy and the money will follow." <br /><br />After all these years of fretting over what degree I needed to become a writer, I realized all I needed to do was to write. <br /><br />This decision can be stressful, but one son has changed his degree 5 times before he finished. So don't sweat it. Life has a way of working itself out.<br /><br />Hope you and your whole family get well. : ) I so enjoy reading your posts.Cindy Joneshttp://www.cindymjones.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-5814871649495687862015-12-07T21:09:45.230-06:002015-12-07T21:09:45.230-06:00This post is perfect! Thanks so much for sharing. ...This post is perfect! Thanks so much for sharing. I'm a college freshman who's still not entirely sure what I'm doing, and this could not have come at a better time :)<br /><br />I'm so sorry to hear that your family is sick! I hope it hasn't been too serious. Praying everyone feels better soon!!Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02062621990781150650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-56474487763588428152015-12-07T21:09:24.598-06:002015-12-07T21:09:24.598-06:00Oh no! I hope everyone feels well soon. I'll p...Oh no! I hope everyone feels well soon. I'll pray for your family. <br />Thank you for addressing this topic. It's one I've had to give a lot of thought to recently. I think I'll go to Taylor University, since they have a 100% publication rate for their students (while they're still in college!), and I've heard a lot of good things about it through ACFW. But I think I might have marketing as a minor. Lol, I'm afraid I ranted longer than I intended to. Anyways, I hope your family gets well in time to enjoy Christmas! Thanks again :) Elizabeth Newsomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15571935976092744536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-82425765150764972692015-12-07T20:47:53.560-06:002015-12-07T20:47:53.560-06:00So much wisdom here, Steph! Thanks for sharing it....So much wisdom here, Steph! Thanks for sharing it. :-)Jill Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11943570354349667196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-50674047568818669762015-12-07T19:34:29.170-06:002015-12-07T19:34:29.170-06:00Wow, this has got me thinking.
I'm still a l...Wow, this has got me thinking. <br /><br />I'm still a long way from graduating high school but I've always known I've wanted creative writing to be a sideline job. Maybe I'll take up law, architecture, or psychology-or even media and advertising (people say I can come up with decent catchphrases and captions.) <br /><br />But that's still a long way to go. What I think works for me though, is when people ask me what I want to be in the future, I answer: "I honestly don't know, but I know I'm definitely going to keep writing." :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-8668078541779637912015-12-07T18:16:01.295-06:002015-12-07T18:16:01.295-06:00Yuck, I've been sick all weekend as well! So I...Yuck, I've been sick all weekend as well! So I've been trying and trying to decide what to major and minor in (I'm a hs junior currently): after college I plan to be a foster mom and missionary working with kids through softball, but since neither one of those will really pay the bills, I was thinking about studying English or journalism to have perhaps a part-time editing job. However, I just completed freshmen comp I and II at a local college, and I honestly could care less if I ever analyze a short story again! I'd also like to publish novels a little further down the road so would creative writing be a good bet as a major? My other struggle is that not all colleges have creative writing as a major, but all have English.Haileynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-47729512669926492212015-12-07T18:01:57.367-06:002015-12-07T18:01:57.367-06:00Thanks for this post! I think I would like to majo...Thanks for this post! I think I would like to major in communications when I go to college. Writing books is something I would really like to do all throughout my life. Other jobs I'm interested in would be teaching at an elementary school or being a DJ on the radio. Supposedly Communications major helps with all of that! Which is awesome! The main thing I want to do with my life is follow God's plan for me :) Eliza Noelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01198630436788681242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-26728992084482768402015-12-07T17:02:50.645-06:002015-12-07T17:02:50.645-06:00Great post! I've been thinking about this a lo...Great post! I've been thinking about this a lot, even though i'm only a freshman. my only conflict is that i want to major in either science or math and get a job in one of those areas. my only question is that is it possible to work in a completely different area and publish a novel, with out it taking over your life? i know a lot of authors do like conferences and do presentations at schools and collages and stuff.<br /><br />thank you so much and i hope your family get better soon!<br /><br />~K.A.C.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17431543441334581991noreply@blogger.com