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I write books. Sometimes I write other things. My website is here: www.blackholly.com

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I'm in my second year of college and I want to go into a creative writing degree, because all I want to do with my life is write and because I enjoy doing so. But for days now I've had a crippling attacks of panic where I'm frighten that going for a creative writing degree won't do anything for me, because the jobs won't want someone with that. I was just...wondering of you had any advice for a nineteen year old scared out of her mind

First of all, don’t panic! I know that picking a college major seems kind of terrifying thing, but actually, if you are getting some kind of liberal arts degree, one degree is much like another. I graduated with an English Literature degree and got hired to work as a production editor in medical publishing — along with someone who had a history degree and another person who had a creative writing degree. So, personally, I would say — go for it.

That said, do think about what you might like to do after school, because most writers have to have two jobs — writing and whatever pays the bills. I know many writers who are librarians, who teach, who are lawyers, editors, and even several who work in IT, tech jobs, and the sciences. My first book came out when I was thirty and I kept my job until my third book came out. I’ve been fortunate to be able to survive and support my family with writing for ten years, but I am well aware of how lucky I am.

So yes, I think you should get the degree you want to get. I wish I had! But make a plan for a job that, ideally, you think you’d really love and that won’t get in the way of your writing too much — and that will help dictate if you need to take other classes to make yourself desirable to that sort of employer. 


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