Do I Need A Degree To Become A Writer?
You probably came here for the simple answer. I can give that to you. It’s an obvious one. No. You don’t need a degree to become a writer. Anyone can choose to write. The difference is, will you be a great writer or a terrible one? Maybe just an average writer? Is that enough for you? Being average? If not, then you’re probably actually wondering what you need to become great. How do you become great at anything? You study for it.
History is littered with examples of accomplished individuals who did not get a degree. What you’re missing from that is the detail that they studied on their own. Very rarely does anyone fall into something without having the know how to sustain their time there. In those cases, even fewer didn’t take the time to learn more from those around them. You wouldn’t have heard of them if they slouched like that.
The easiest way to study to be a top author is to learn about those who came before you, and those who will be your peers. In the case of non-fiction, you will need to have the background appropriate for your subject. For instance, if you want to write on theoretical physics, having a degree (I’d recommend PhD level) is required. No one will take you seriously without that education and experience behind the work. That’s for good reason. You can’t make up science. It’s not fiction. There are standards to be met.
So what about fiction? Most of it is made up, right? Fiction is a much looser area in which to write. Don’t mistake, however, that there are standards to be met here, and not just grammar. What if you’re writing science fiction, historical fiction, military fiction, spy fiction, and even fantasy? Depending on your genre, you’ll find expectations here, too. You can try to defy them, but with an established (and dug in) readership for many genres, you could be digging your grave. Once you lose credibility as an author, it’s tough to come back and get reader respect.
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