What it’s about:

As a creative writing major, you study the creation and construction of poetry, fiction, drama, nonfiction, and screenwriting. You examine the works of established writers and develop your own original work (poems, stories, dramas, etc.), and submit your work to professors and peers for discussion and analysis.

What the study of this major is like:

The creative writing major closely resembles the English major. Much of the course work is similar, and you study works of drama, prose, and poetry, as well as composition. But in creative writing, you develop your won literary voice in workshops that are taught by practicing writers who know firsthand the challenges and struggles of the writing process.

In general, your course work is divided among writing workshops, literature courses, and liberal arts requirements in the sciences, mathematics, and other humanities. In most programs, your writing samples and performance in writing courses is examined before you are admitted into the workshops.

Most introductory creative writing courses combine several forms of writing. Similar to survey courses in the arts, an introductory course in creative writing usually encourages you to write fiction, poetry, and, often, drama. You will also examine the history of several forms of writing and analyze the works of contemporary authors.

“Forms” courses are similar to a traditional literature course, but with a focus on an aspect of writing not usually covered in core courses. The topics may range from contemporary shorts story or memoir to an examination of the struggles involved in revision. Most upper-level courses are divided by genre, which allows you to focus more in-depth on your own poetry, fiction, or drama. You will also probably be required to submit a thesis project-usually a collection of poems, stories, or essays.

Upper-level workshops also focus on a particular form. In essay writing, you study techniques of analysis and persuasion, explore the relation between voice and purpose, and learn how to design an argument. In poetry writing, you experiment with meter, image, tone, and organization. In fiction courses, you may focus on characterization, narrative, scene, dialogue, or plot. In most courses, members of the class analyze each other’s work with guidance from the instructor. Because writing is such a solitary endeavour, most students consider this feedback to be the most valued aspect of the major.

Being a creative writing major requires maturity, patience, and determination. The challenges you are likely to face are generally those that all writers encounter: Where do I get ideas? How can I overcome writer’s block? How can I choose the most appropriate way to express my ideas? You will also need to set writing and revision schedules for your-self; this task can be hard, because the amount of time creative work takes is often unpredictable. Unlike majors that have clearly mapped out paths to success, creative writing challenges you not only to follow the guidance of professionals, but also to rely heavily on your own initiative and conviction.

Creative writing may be offered as an independent major, as a concentration in the English major, or as an independent minor. Because content and approach vary widely in creative writing programs, you should examine the writing of professors at the colleges you are considering. Look for writers whose work addresses some of your own interests and concerns.

Career options and trends:

Freelance writer, copywriter for advertising or marketing; editor; content manager for Web site or other electronic publishing venue.

Not many authors make a living from their writing. Creative writing majors do find employment, however, in related fields like teaching, advertising, journalism, television, radio, film, and publishing; or, they ply their language skills in graduate programs in law, medicine or business. Most university-level teaching positions require an advanced degree.

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of graduate creative writing programs. For a student, the increased possibilities for graduate study are encouraging; for a graduate, the competition for employment in the field of creative writing can be daunting.

Source: CollegeBoard 2012 Book of Majors