Re:Writer's education path? - 03/27/2007I'm something of a poet, and I love to dabble in fiction writing myself. Mostly fantasy type stuff though. I've done a few articles here about song writing, and I have a blogged bit that I did, and that's about the extent of my professional writing career, so far. It's so easy to publish stuff, blogs, when you own the site...I've been around here a few days, long enough to get a coffee shop that nobody comes to anymore...I guess I need to change the brew.
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JFG
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Re:Writer's education path? - 03/27/2007I understand what you are saying, thank you.
Another passion of mine is business and investing. So one way that I could go on to write about the world through my eyes would be to do well in business and investing which would allow me to fund a lot of travelling. I already had this idea... but I just wanted to see what professional writers have to say on this. I am glad to know that it isn't necessary to go through a 4 year degree in english. I like to read and write... but I don't like to do either in the fiction genre.
Thanks again.
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Robert the Bard
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Re:Writer's education path? - 03/27/2007It's been my experience that writing about things you understand helps to color what you have to say, and lets you add a unique perspective to it. Especially if you end up writing something as a blog, for example, where it may be openly discussed. If you're wanting to add ideas, or paths for change, it's important to have a full grasp of the topic.
I have written about music, which is something that I do understand, even though I have no formal education. At least, I don't have a degree in music. I am a musician, first and foremost, and having that perspective helps me to write things that I am sure are valid, and that I can discuss if need be.
I don't think you need a degree in politics to write op-eds about politics, for example. If you are involved enough in it to read up, and know what's going on, then you are qualified to write about it. A degree would give you some credibility with the crowd that maybe looks for that, but not having it wouldn't make your opinions any less valid.
I think I'm kinda wandering around through this, but I hope you take my meaning. If you understand enough about a topic to discuss it without having to grab resource book after resource book for facts, although having them would be handy, you can write about it. Understanding of the topic will allow you to elaborate on it in a way that makes it readable, and possibly sellable as well. Hope this kinda gives you something of what you're looking for.
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JFG
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Writer's education path? - 03/26/2007Hello... I'm wondering what education paths writers usually follow? I guess it would depend on what exactly one wants to write about.
Personally, I would want to write about true events going on around the world and in communities. However, I don't want to be a journalist who simply writes what is happening. I want to be free to give my take on it and to suggest new ideas and perspectives. Ideally I would see the world, communicate what I am seeing and feeling... and have others want to buy and read this.
Any suggestions on how I might reach this ideal?
Post edited by: JFG, at: 03/26/2007
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