what is the general path taken for an aspiring writer/novelist academically?

Trauntj · Jan 19, 2010

for a while now, I've been compelled to write more than ever. I'm currently majoring in Pre-pharmacy in my sophomore year in college, but I feel like my true calling is writing novels and stories. I currently have a folder with 5 different novel plots outlined (only 1 manuscript barely started, but that's only because I still need to get the hang of the novel format as opposed to essay) I've always had an above average vocabulary, english classes I could get A's without lifting a finger (I know lots of people who have much loads of trouble with formal writing) and can crank out essays and term papers by in a fraction of the time it usually takes most people, and have always thought of myself as very creative.

so, if lets say I would want to become a writer instead of a pharmacist, what path through college would be most beneficial? I know that college wouldn't even be required to be a writer, but I'm still deciding on whether to change my major or not. I wanted to become a pharmacist because I love chemistry/calculus/physics and mainly to help people (plus the 120K a year isn't bad either), but I just have a large amount of ideas for novels (a few of which I haven't seen before) and a yearning to tell them. I always figured I would just write on the side, but somehow I know nothing would get published.

I'm not sure what I want to do, but what did you guys do (if you're a PT/FT writer) and how did you know when you wanted to devote yourself to writing? I'm giving myself the rest of this semester to figure out what to do, so it'll give me a little time to think over how I might want to plan my life.

if this off-topic, feel free to move it.

sunandshadow · Jan 19, 2010

Well, I majored in English (emphasis in creative writing but probably 2/3 of my classes were literary theory). I could have gone on to pursue a master's degree in English, but I didn't have the money and didn't get offered a teaching position or any scholarships. I did not end up being a part or full time writer, and really regret not majoring in something that would have given me a well-paying day job. I think I would have had more fun with writing had it remained my hobby, instead of something I tried to do full time and failed at. It sounds like you have a totally different personality than me though.

Other than English, my university offered a separate program in playwriting, but to my frustration you couldn't get into any of those classes if you weren't majoring in the subject. That makes no sense to me - writing a novel and writing a play are very similar, and most people who want to do one would benefit from studying both.

James D. Macdonald · Jan 19, 2010

Get the degree and be a pharmacist.

Write on the side.

Krintar · Jan 19, 2010

Writers come from all walks of life. Study whatever you find interesting - there are no necessary qualifications for writing. Definitely don't change your major solely because you feel the new one may be more writerly; if you're interested in Pre-pharmacy, keep going with it, because that way you'll have the qualification to get a job with which you can support yourself (quite handsomely too

) for however long it takes to break into the writing biz. If there then comes a point when you can afford to (and want to) pull out of that and write full-time, go ahead and do it then.

JackinElgin · Jan 19, 2010

Me? I'd be a pharmacist. Why? I'm greedy and I like not worrying about rent and keeping my lights on. You'd be surprised how easy it is to create stuff when you're not hungry.

Look into what your favorite writers did before they became writers. Chances are more than a few had a "regular" job. How do you think John Grisham writes a good court room drama.... he spent a minute or two in a courtroom. Joseph Heller wrote arguably the greatest novel of the 20th century about being a WWII bombardier after being a WWII bombardier. There are dozens of examples of this.

Why does Stephen (with a fucking PH and not a V) King write fantasy horror so well? Dunno... thats another nut crack. But he does certainly write an excellent car accident scene... that might be because someone hit him with a car.

So maybe you're going to write the best "pharmacy detective drama" of all time (which isn't so far fetched) but saying that If you don't devote yourself to writing full time you wont be published is hog wash.

I wont bore you with the details of my story (because it's boring, you see) but I actually wrote of my upcoming debute in about the worst most distracting location on the planet earth to write and I got it done... I just said "I'm going to pass my time by writing this and then I will force it on the world and force them to pay me for it." and now it might actually happen (if I can ever get my damn rewrites! ARGH)

Trauntj · Jan 19, 2010

thanks guys, I've thought about just becoming a pharmacist and writing on the side, which I think I'll continue to do. I think as S&S said, I much prefer writing now because I can take it at leisure, as opposed to getting an English degree and not being able to write because then I'm forced too for all my income.

Ehab.Ahmed · Jan 19, 2010

I don't know about college classes for writers (wondered about that myself) but about the other issue: please, oh please, get your degree in pharmacy! Write on the side. Writing doesn't take that much of time for it to be a full time job, especially if you're not published yet. So my advice is to get the degree, find online (or offline in any college) classes to help you better with writing. Maybe creative writing classes.

ETA: Oh, I see you've decided to continue with pharmacy. I'm glad

Maxinquaye · Jan 19, 2010

I have a dustry old degree in economics that I haven't brushed for twenty odd years. I got side-tracked into journalism. Hey, it was a way to earn money while writing, wasn't it? Except I rarely got to write any fiction.

Point is, as the others have said, you don't need a degree in English to write fiction. If you can, get a job that pays the rent and puts food on the table, and write on the side.

Terie · Jan 19, 2010

A friend of mine (who recently passed away) was a pharmacist. At one point, she owned her own pharmacy. Then she went to work as a researcher for a Big Pharma company. Did well enough there to eventually go freelance. On the side, she wrote some absolutely delightful detective novels that got her an agent and were getting good rejections. She was probably on the verge of breaking in.

Point being: pharmacy is a good career to support yourself while writing on the side. The stories she could tell, her knowledge of how to research stuff for her books, yeah. It was good. Stick with it.

gothicangel · Jan 20, 2010

With degrees you have do what you love.

Outside of the arts, English is seen as a 'soft' option'. It isn't, most fall at the first hurdle. I have a friend who is studying psychology and took an English class in first semester, she didn't come back for a second! I tried to take a Psychology course and I didn't last a week, I couldn't stand the 'there is a specific correct answer' model

What you will probably find is that you'll develop a uber pared down style because of the scientific writing you'll do.

At least you'll escape the 'literary brain' that strikes me down after six weeks. Too much reading, too much writing

blacbird · Jan 20, 2010

Lots of drugs and drinking, and a beret.

Now go write something.

caw

shaldna · Jan 20, 2010

i studied a BSc in equine science at uni, then i did a MSc in communications. i took BA in Literature and am currently looking at MAs in creative writing.

my advice to anyone thinking of being a writer is to get a day job. a well paying day job.

writing comes second.

the reality of it is that there is no set career path and no easy way in. there is no base entry level and no guarentee of even getting a book published.

i'm not saying you can't do it, I'm saying that it can take years and even then no one can say for certain if you will make it.

do a degree in something you enjoy, get a job that pays, and use that life experience to better your work.

DrZoidberg · Jan 20, 2010

If you get your pharmacist degree it'll give you something unique to write about! And you'll also get a good job to support your writing habit, until you get published.

Caitlin Black · Jan 20, 2010

And you can prescribe me things! It's win-win!

ChainsawLicker · Jan 20, 2010

I'm a graphic design major.
I will write when I can.

Jamesaritchie · Jan 20, 2010

Go for the degree that means the most to you. Chances are, whatever degree you get is what you'll be doing for the next twenty or thirty years, so make sure it's something you enjoy doing. If you love the major you're in, why change?

I loved English, and I loved journalism (After all the 101 courses were finished) even more. For me, these were the perfect majors. For you, maybe not.

If you love what you're doing, I'd say stick with it, and take whatever English/Journalism/creative writing courses you can work in on the side.

katiemac · Jan 20, 2010

I was PR and marketing. I figure it will be pretty helpful if I publish, but that's not why I did it.

Major in what you want; you have time to figure out the balance still.

kellion92 · Jan 20, 2010

Pharmacy is an interesting major that would give you tons of interesting expertise for a detective series. I was a creative writing major, then switched to history. My first novel written was historical fiction.

Creative writing majors tend to focus on literary fiction, but even if that's what you want to write, it helps to major or minor in something that interests you other than writing. You need something to write about! Stick with pre-pharmacy and minor in English, or if that's too much, take as many electives as you can in creative writing.

kuwisdelu · Jan 20, 2010

James D. Macdonald said:
Get the degree and be a pharmacist.

Write on the side.

What he said.

A degree in writing won't help terribly much.

If you find you start hating pharmacy, well, major in something else. If you think you'd really enjoy teaching creative writing one day, then go ahead and major in that instead.

But if you still enjoy it too, then major in that, and write whenever you have time.

SarahMacManus · Jan 20, 2010

James D. Macdonald said:
Get the degree and be a pharmacist.

Write on the side.

I agree.
I read slush for a literary mag, we get lots of submissions from MFA's - it usually isn't any better than submissions we get from high school students, house wives, retired policemen, etc. In fact, it really doesn't seem to affect quality of writing whatsoever.

I've seen brilliant stuff from MFAs as well as real shite.

That being said, go for the pharm degree and learn to write as well.

KTC · Jan 20, 2010

i majored in staying alive. what can i say, it was the 80s.

CaroGirl · Jan 20, 2010

I say get the pharmacy degree and a well paying job. You never know whether you'll be able to sell your work, even with a degree in creative writing.

I have a BA in English lit and managed to stumble into a job in technical documentation. It's boring but it pays well. I write (and hope) on the side.

Adam · Jan 20, 2010

Some half arsed high school grades, zero college, zero university, a whole heap of reading. First book's out in May.

Bubastes · Jan 20, 2010

I'll chime in with getting the pharmacy degree and writing on the side. It's easier to write when you've paid the light bill. My undergrad degree was in electrical engineering. My utter lack of formal writing education hasn't stopped me from selling both non-fiction and fiction work over the years.

If you love writing, you'll be able to teach yourself a lot.

Z0Marley · Jan 20, 2010

Trauntj said:
I'm not sure what I want to do, but what did you guys do (if you're a PT/FT writer) and how did you know when you wanted to devote yourself to writing? I'm giving myself the rest of this semester to figure out what to do, so it'll give me a little time to think over how I might want to plan my life.

Write an entire novel. Finish it. Edit it. Get into a crit group. Continue with edits. When the novel is as close to perfect as possible. Query. Grab an agent. Go through the publishing process.

You're thinking this is going to take forever. And it just might. But you need to stay in school/keep your job while you're going through this process. The best education is experience. IF/when you finish this process, you can decide if you want to continue it. Otherwise you're going blindly into something that seems easy and fun. While it has it's fun moments, it's not easy. I would say my 25,000 word outline is only 5% of the work that has to be done to a novel. So you've got another 95% to go, and you better make sure you like every second of it before wasting the years you've put into school.

Writing has a very fortunate side where you can go through this experience at your own pace until you sign contracts. So work on it while you can, but do not ignore other obligations (school, work) until you're published.

I wouldn't be so harsh, but I've seen so many writers do this. It's unfortunate and in my eyes, completely unnecessary -- especially when you can do both at the same time.

Make sure writing is your true passion, not something you look at and think it'd be cool to do. And if you're comparing a novel to an eassy, I'm just going to have to tell you to stop that. Essays are jokes. So if you're writing experience is essays and you think you'll fly through a novel like you do in your classes, you're kidding yourself. Go through the process before making a life-changing decision. Life rarely goes according to plan.

what is the general path taken for an aspiring writer/novelist academically?

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