McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
Maybe an English degree is a must?
slrogers:
--- Quote from: Wordmaker on April 11, 2013, 01:58:52 PM ---There are only two things to worry about when it comes to writing for commercial publication: What you love to write, and how to make that accessible to a reader.
--- End quote ---
I like that. It's well stated, concise, and much more helpful than, "There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are." :)
soltari_mage:
I know Steven Erikson (Malazan Book of the Fallen) has a degree in anthropology and archaeologist. He developed his series from a roleplaying world with Ian Cameron Esslemont, who is also an archaeologist but is getting a Ph.D in Lit.
I think all you really need is training period, it doesn't really matter ultimately if you're driven enough. I'm sure it's a better asset than others, but many degree paths focus on writing at some point, even the sciences.
I have a bachelors in physics and you have to be able to write technical papers. While the subject matter is different, you can use that knowledge in other ways to help your writing.
I personally decided I wanted a physics degree because I wanted to write a science fiction or science fantasy book with magic that follows natural laws and not have space fighters making instantaneous turns without accounting for conservation of momentum and moment of inertia or a wizard being able to use as much power as they want and it not really effecting them personally (why I like that Jim has Harry do stuff like when he's sucking the energy from Lake Michigan, uses fire at an enemy and the lake freezes, which is consistent with the real world) and what I'd classify easiest as Harry Porter magic.
Unfortunately, I haven't made much headway on my project (other needs get in the way and still a bit uncertain where I want to go with it) but it's something that's always churning in my mind these days. In the mean time I just research some interesting things that I think I want to use (thanks io9!).
I've thought about taking some creative writing classes but it's not something I've felt was absolutely necessary for me. Just means I'll have to be more self-taught about it.
slrogers:
--- Quote from: soltari_mage on April 18, 2013, 08:27:22 PM ---I think all you really need is training period, it doesn't really matter ultimately if you're driven enough.
--- End quote ---
I'm not entirely sure what you were trying to say here, but I think it's the other way around. If you are driven enough (if you have enough passion, desire, love for writing) you'll learn what you need along the way (you'll train yourself or get the training you need from those around you.) I think ultimately it's having the drive that matters most. That's what makes you find the time, create the opportunities, overcome whatever obstacles might block your path.
soltari_mage:
--- Quote from: slrogers on April 18, 2013, 08:58:07 PM ---I'm not entirely sure what you were trying to say here
--- End quote ---
I just meant that it doesn't matter where your training comes from, as long as you eventually develop a system that works for you. And that the greater drive you have the more likely you can overcome what you initially lacked.
The Deposed King:
I'm about as far from an english degree as you can get. And doing just fine on amazon. I wouldn't worry about it. A degree like that its just another tool.
What did Jim Butcher say, you need to write between 3-5 books before you're up to snuff...? if you're going to get there at any rate.
The Deposed King
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version