Hi
I've been wondering whether you need qualifications to be a successful writer (fiction) or is it just good luck and imagination? Degrees are so expensive these days...
Hi
I've been wondering whether you need qualifications to be a successful writer (fiction) or is it just good luck and imagination? Degrees are so expensive these days...
Hi Samantha.
I think the burning desire to achieve your dreams is essential.
I always loved writing and did a course through Writers Bureau.
I must say my writing have improved and the first thing the tutor picked up from my was my desire to express myself on paper. I enjoyed my assignments and when she mentioned she could see I enjoyed writing certain pieces, I felt a sense of achievement, that was all I really want.
Keep on writing!
Thanks everyone...I have always loved writing and have been scribbling away, some short stories and two 'work in progress' novels. I've entered a few short story competitions and even been long listed for one (which had more than 450 entrants so was pleased).
When I read the bios of some authors I see English or Creative Writing degrees and I guess I have been using that as a bit of an excuse to not pick up my pen...but now with the lure of a half a haircut and a box of tea-bags i'll get back to it forthwith!!
What you need is a burning desire to write, a story that is desperate to be told, and the will to sit at your desk and write and re-write and polish until you're exhausted and your story is as perfect as you can get it.
Without any of these, all the qualifications in the world won't help you.
Some people like to have the support of a taught course behind them - it gives them the structure upon which to build. Others hate the idea of being taught, on the grounds that teaching also unteaches, and they would lose spontaneity. It's a personal thing.
The best way is the one that works for you. There's no rule that says you have to have a degree in writing fiction in order to be able write a book.
What you do have to have is an understanding of grammar and spelling, or a good editor - or you put a piece up on here and people will point you in the right direction.
A writer writes. Start now!
Lorraine