A lot of high school students enter college as an English major with the intent on becoming a writer. While you can technically become a writer without any formal training, if you’re young, it’s advisable to get your Bachelor’s Degree. If nothing else, it will vastly improve your writing and reading. After all, the most commonly distributed advice to authors is “If you want to write, read.” However, what about your Master’s? Is it advisable to go back for an M.F.A.?
Consider What You Plan on Writing
Are you a journalist? You can hopefully jump right into the field with a Bachelor’s. However, if you plan on doing creative writing, think carefully about going straight from college to get your Master’s. For one, that’s what everyone else your age is doing. The publishing industry is incredibly competitive. Another age-old piece of writerly advice is “write what you know.” What do you know? You’ve been to school. You’re about to go to real school. What real-life experience do you have? You probably have a stack of college debt on your shoulder too, right? Don’t be afraid to get out and get some life experience before getting your Master’s.
What Will a Master’s Program Give Me?
Don’t get the wrong idea. There are tons of benefits a Master’s program can give to an aspiring writer. Discipline is one of those things. Your writing will improve dramatically, because you’ll be doing it all the time. You’ll also be reading. You’ll also have the ability to work with real, working writers. Depending on what school you go to, these writers could be some of the best in the country. Many schools also bring in visiting writers for students to study with. At the end of your program, you’ll hopefully have something ready to publish. A published book: that’s not a bad start to your new writing career, is it?