Everything About Creative Writing Degrees!

I graduated a few months ago with my degree in writing, so wanted to take a chance to answer your questions about this major.Thanks for sending in your questions, folks!

RELATED VIDEOS:
→ Advice for Creative Writing Students: [coming soon!]

MY SHORT FICTION:

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro
4:02 - Was it worth it?
7:37 - What did you learn?
10:33 - Who is a writing degree good for/not good for?
14:32 - Job prospects
15:44 - Deciding to study writing/family reactions
18:00 - Interaction with authors/publishers/agents
19:14 - Degree vs. self teaching
20:00 - Writing degree vs. english degree
20:48 - Does it limit you creatively?
22:54 - Writing genre fiction
25:42 - What if English is your 2nd language?
26:56 - Confidence
27:18 - Is it more practical or theory?
28:19 - What would you have done differently?
28:50 - How did it affect your process/productivity?
29:50 - How hard is a writing degree?
31:40 - MFA vs. BFA
32:56 - Writing own voices and uncomfortable experiences
37:42 - Is plagiarism a risk?

OUTRO MUSIC: "l u v t e a [acoustic]" by Autumn Keys

SOCIAL

[peaceandpeace___]

The fact that there's so much stigma around art degrees, yet we consume art almost every single day of our lives

[MicahKC]

Okay, so when I did my undergrad degree and I took a fiction workshop, there was a student in the class that INSISTED he submit all of his work in PDFs instead of word docs because he was CONVINCED one of us would steal his work. When the professor explained that he wanted our submissions in docs so that he could make edits using the comments and edit tracking, this guy remained firm that he needed to submit in PDFs. I remember looking around the one table we all sat at and seeing variations of "dude, no one in this room is going to steal your work" written on everyone's faces.

[heavensxnt]

As someone who was doing a biology degree and pivoted to English/creative writing it’s so funny to me that people will say “what are you gonna do with that??” Like what was I gonna do with a bio degree?? Haha

[elliestrasser]

Shaelin:"My tuition was about $5k"
Me: *cries in American*

[GIRLdisambiguation]

I think a little part of me died when you said $5000 a year 😶 America could never ever ever

[Gfriend_Buddy]

The first question when someone ( an officer whom i need signature for my Uni documents etc) find out I'm taking Degree in Creative Writing was "what future do you think you'll have with this kind of degree " with a downgrading tone in his voice..

I just answered " you're not a part of it (My future) so i don't want to answer that question " ( after i taken his signature of course, and sashay away.

Rude... But I'm happy that i did it.

[WhiskeyBlack]

I almost had a BA in creative writing but I quit because the only classes I had left were math & history which are two of my worst subjects & I'd ran out of financial aid. But I didn't really learn anything that I didn't already know, except how to properly give writing critiques. (which really makes me want to be a Developmental Editor) So for me it was a rather disheartening experience when you've got a teacher praising your work in this 3rd level critique class & people who can barely form proper sentences are also critiquing the exact same piece & ripping it to shreds. However, I did meet some of my best friends & my best writing friends in that program. So that alone was worth it.

[ClintEPereira]

Concerning 13:10, be aware of what your English department's focus is (great hint is what books your professors are publishing). I started at University of Pittsburgh (because I knew they had an amazing English Department) and my first fiction writing class we were told "no fantasy or science fiction" on the first day. Transferred to CSU Northridge and there is a definite effort toward studying genre fiction. Big lesson for me on how finding the best department might not actually mean the best fit (not trying to plug anything. They're both great schools for different reasons).

[winethoughts]

I've just my English Literature and Creative Writing course and I'm loving it so far! My friend and I already notice a big difference in my writing (my grammar has always been terrible and I have actually improved hahah! Also discovering new things that I love doing like script writing.

[hannahnames]

I've been writing since I was a kid and it's really my dream job, but I keep talking myself out of it. Mainly because it a more "impractical" major and it's hard to rationalize the amount of debt i'd be getting into to pursue it (I'm in the U.S). However, none of the more markable majors appeal to me. For instance I took a coding class at a community college and honestly enjoyed it and got a good grade, but I can't imagine spending most of my life doing it. Now I'm 23 with no degree and am pretty close to just saying "fuck it" and pursuing writing. That makes me anxious though so who knows. Anyways, I've watched this video twice (once when it first came out and now) and each time I get inspired to put aside my fear and give a writing degree a chance, so thank you for that. It's nice to have a realistic yet positive video to reference because I also consume a lot of content that is quite negative about the arts as a career and balance is good.

[sanaamin]

I was just going to do my masters in Creative Writing this year, but dropped out due to Covid19. And then had my doubts.This video really made it clear for me from a person who’s been there and done that.
✨Thanks so much for sharing all the information with such honesty. Congratulations!

[nocturnus]

CONGRATULATIONS SHAELIN, May your creative reservoir always be in the path of the Deluge 🌊🌊🌊!

[RubyDianArts]

Someone probably already recommended this in the comments somewhere, but for people looking for genre fiction courses or advice (fantasy particularly) should check out Brandon Sanderson's university lectures that he posts all on youtube.

[katelynschierle]

People ask why the character needs to be asexual, but they also don't need to be straight!

[abbyfleiss]

this is honestly really helpful. I'm fourteen so I probably shouldn't be worrying about it but it'll help for when I do have to decide.

[ardentlabours]

Aha I had one of those ‘what did you learn’ questions, and I feel like you answered it perfectly! When I compare it to my BSc, and how I became a better scientist for it through every aspect: all the experience I gained in the field and skills I built through practical work in labs, learning how to conduct research and use scientific literature, I can see what you gained from your writing degree. I think I always saw a writing degree as like, , , prose-focused or like you just walk out with beautiful writing and learn craft and technicality and you’re just gaining knowledge. I saw it as like being taught How to Write. But it’s more like learning how to be a writer - in the way that I learnt to be a scientist, I didn’t just learn science. Idk if this is useful for anyone thinking about a creative writing degree but it was the first time I’d seen it phrased this way! Thank you Shaelin!!

[thepriceisright]

no cap, heard the tuition rates and was pissed bc the college I want to go to in America is 28k a year

[nocturnus]

I fear the largest barrier to success/affinity in/for higher education is doubt from within. I think answering these questions & moving the discussion forward is important.
"Muad'Dib learned rapidly because his first training was in how to learn. And the first lesson of all was the basic trust that he could learn. It's shocking to find how many people do not believe they can learn, and how many more believe learning to be difficult. Muad'Dib knew that every experience carries its lesson."

[stephaniesmith]

I’m going back to school and getting my Master’s online. (My first day is Monday!) I was so close to getting it in Creative Writing but decided on Communications.:)

[ThePronounI]

For me it really took a toll on my mental health and it is not as focused on the craft as I thought it would be.