Education?

[SarahElisabeth]

I am one of those just dipping my toes into the ocean of the writing world with many, many unspoken questions...

But the most pressing right now is the level of education the authors here at Constant Content have pursued. Did you just finish high school? Master in English? Professional writing courses? Or simply trial and error of writing, being rejected and writing some more?

I'm just trying to get a clearer picture of how much/what kind of eduction successful writers have pursued.

[Lysis]

I'm *in* college. Does that count?

[SarahElisabeth]

hehe are you majoring in English? I know you must do quite a bit of writing anyway

[Celeste Stewart]

I took a break from college after earning my AA degree and taking a job in my field (broadcasting). At the time, all of the classes I needed for my major had a two year waiting list to get into! That seemed like an eternity, especially when I had job offers close to home. I intended to go back but life got in the way. My brother has his PhD and several Masters while my sister is a lawyer. I'm obviously the least educated in the family but also the one who never knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. I finally figured it out and am happily doing it

[nichewriter]

I have a journalism degree (I minored in broadcasting and economics), and I'm trying to earn my MBA

[Lysis]

hehe are you majoring in English? I know you must do quite a bit of writing anyway

No, although it's my main income source, I never liked English classes. I despised my second semester. I was only required to take 2 semesters of English, and the second one was taught by a TA who made us read the most god-awful, boring, mind-numbing literature ever. The only one who was half interesting was Virginia Wolfe. I don't remember the other authors, but writing papers on the literature totally turned me off from English. The TA graded me with C's the whole semester. She later told me that I had the syntax down for writing, but I was bland. That was because I was a Computer Science major, but got a job during the time the dot coms were booming. I was one of those people who was 21 and making more money than any 21 year old could dream of writing code and building computers. I quit college during the time, and went back after the dot com bust. It's taking me forever, but I'm trying to get a PhD in biochemistry ....or biology. I haven't decided yet! LOL

I used to always score well in grammar, but I took the GRE a few months ago and kicked ass in math (quantitative section) but did so-so in verbal. I wish I had gotten better scores in English. I was off by 20 points on the GRE from my goal. I think about going back to get 20 points more, but my score is still really good, so I'm not letting it bother me.

[Debbi]

I have been in school my entire life and I love it. I have an AA in Anthropology/History, and a BA and MA in Psychology. I did all the coursework for my doctorate but never finished my dissertation. Instead I was distracted by the Internet, became Director of Operations at a local ISP in the early '90s and let my PhD pass me by Since then I've taken courses in Web Technology, Entrepreneurship, and anything else I can get the government to pay for. Like Celeste, I never really knew what I wanted to be when I grew up (still not sure) but I have written all my life. When my kids were small and I wasn't able to go to college, I started writing for children's magazines (Highlights for chilren, Jack & Jill, etc.) and found out I could make a little money. I wrote many stories and articles and two teen novels (the novels were never published). The print world was hard to break into back then and almost impossible now. I let my writing fade into the background for a long while, but when I finally found CC, my writing itch came back with a vengeance.

I've taken a couple of Creative Writing and Freelance Writing courses, but the best way to be successful at writing is to write, develop a thick skin, listen to editors even when you want to punch them in the nose, and write....did I mention write? Oh, yeah, and write!

Having a good foundation in writing is important, but having knowledge on a variety of subjects and an expertise in one (like business, technology, or medicine) gives you something to write about. Not that we can't all research out butts off!

Well, that's probably more than you asked for, but I'm a writer......so I write.


Debbi

[Antonia]

I have a BA in Media Arts and Cultural Studies and an MFA in Writing & Poetics. I have to agree with Debbi: the best way to be successful at writing is to write. And I would add that the best way to be successful here at CC is to watch what others are doing, have clear, realistic goals, and ask a billion questions. At CC, I have learned more about how to write in a way that makes people actually want to READ it then I ever did in school. Not that I regret my formal education either....I often find myself using techniques I learned in creative writing workshops...but I can't see myself pursuing any more degrees in writing....maybe in other fields but not for a while!

[Phil]

Boy do I feel stupid.

I joined the Marines at 18. I saw the world and was part of some things that made the evening news. I retired from the Marines in '03 at 40. I've taken a total of 4 college courses. And I took them solely for personal enjoyment because I am interested in computers and history.

Believe it or not, the Marines will educate you in simple English. It's a correspondence course called Professional Communications. And, the Leadership Academies that are required for promotion force you to write a lot. So I am great at official correspondence, briefings, and class outlines. I call it "Remedial High School English For Jarheads".

I also use "The Little, Brown Handbook" that my wife and kids used when they were in college. I strongly urge everyone to get that book if you are going to be writing in a style that has to be [pun alert] letter perfect [/pun alert]. Lucky for me the quirky sense of humor was on sale at k-mart. It comes in handy during stressful situations.

Now y'all know why I get the heebie-jeebies when submitting stuff. But I do appreciate the listing of folks I can ask for editing advice now - Phil

[Celeste Stewart]

That's the cool thing about CC. You don't have to have a fancy English degree to succeed here!

[Phil]

Uh, yup, uh huh, yessm, you betcha.... and lots of other words Ed won't let me get away with

That's the cool thing about CC. You don't have to have a fancy English degree to succeed here!

[Constant]

I love seeing the disparate walks of life that our writers come from. Writing has been a way to subvert, glorify, educate and disseminate ideas since Gutenberg pressed his first bible. You don't need to be rich, or have a degree (though it's a great way to learn how to write), it just takes an open mind, a willingness to be self critical and to abandon you ego (or we'll evict it)! Writing allows one to become bigger than ourselves, transmitting small pieces of who we are through varied channels into other people's lives. Whether our life experience is a Marine, a school teacher, or a criminal, we all have a story to tell. Make sure that you respect your voice through this most honored of vocations.

Respect!

[SarahElisabeth]

Wow thanks to all for the encouraging feedback! Yep, bein' from Texas I tend to talk a bit hick...my grammer check on Microsoft Word has been going crazy! lol, breaking old habits and writing, writing, writing...sprinkle in a bit of formal education...sounds like a plan

[Phil]

Heh, I thought yew was a nayber. I'm just south of Lubbock. What we call the high ground since the city and county are mostly up on the cap. Like you, I speak a boatload of languages myself. English, Ebonics, Oklahoma Redneck, Texas Redneck, Louisiana French Redneck with a Bayou Twang..... but writing is a good thing. Might finally get fluent.

Wow thanks to all for the encouraging feedback! Yep, bein' from Texas I tend to talk a bit hick...my grammer check on Microsoft Word has been going crazy! lol, breaking old habits and writing, writing, writing...sprinkle in a bit of formal education...sounds like a plan

[Therese]

I am one of those just dipping my toes into the ocean of the writing world with many, many unspoken questions...

But the most pressing right now is the level of education the authors here at Constant Content have pursued. Did you just finish high school? Master in English? Professional writing courses? Or simply trial and error of writing, being rejected and writing some more?

I'm just trying to get a clearer picture of how much/what kind of eduction successful writers have pursued.

I have a BA in journalism (emphasis: public relations) and a minor in American Studies. My career focused on special events and fundraising for non-profit public health organizations. I also worked a stint for a publisher and did author promotions and book events. My love has always been writing and a few years ago, I started my own business. I'm a copywriter and marketing consultant and do a little bit of everything. My main area of concentration is health/wellness but I write for a variety of industries/niches. I do a lot of web copywriting and SEO content writing.

One of my friend's husbands is a very successful copywriter and he doesn't have a formal college education. I don't think a "formal" education necessarily means that you're going to be a fantastic vs. bad writer. I definitely suggest taking writing classes (especially a basic journalism class that focuses on AP-style). Some of the worst writers I know have college degrees (and some have Master's degrees). There are also classes such as writing for the web that might be helpful. There are also great freebie writing classes/resources online. If you have any specific questions about writing, please let me know. I'd be happy to help.

Research as much about writing as you can so you have a lot of information at your fingertips. Hope that helps!