by Amy Guth<

Question by searn: I want to be a writer, can I do it?
I was thinking of going into the literature option at msu bozeman. I really want to do this but i’m getting pressured into taking a major that would get me a “real” job. I’m also getting pressured into joining the army…ugh. I guess my question is more asking how hard is it to get paid to write?

Best answer:

Answer by wnlomas
i would have to say that it would be difficult…but anyways, u can get a “real” job and still write. its not as though when u get a “real” job, then writing isn’t possible anymore.

Answer by BrainPaste
I’m having the same kind of dilemma, but I’m going to tell you what I have been told, and what I have read about in authors’ memoirs and such:

Getting paid for your work is extremely hard in the beginning, but if you’re good and you keep trying, you’ll eventually become successful. The key is to be persistent.

Now, let me share something with you. You’re not going to go to Author College. You’re going to major in some sort of English or Creative Writing. This doesn’t mean that you have to start out as an author and try to make money that way.

Get a fast food job or something… More than likely, you’re college will hook you up with jobs that go hand-in-hand with your major. Journalism, Editing, ect. There are plently of jobs that you can do whilst trying to be an author/writer.

Answer by lexi m
It’s pretty hard to be a writer and get paid for it.

I lurk on the forum Absolute Write where people have published books…… and even after publishing, it’s hard to sell the books….. so there are a lot of layers of frustration involved.

And joining the Army might be good for your writing…… then you have interesting stuff to write about….. life experience.

I would check out the forums at Absolute Write and get advice from the published authors there…….

Good luck with your writing.

Answer by Rae
If you are interested in studying literature, then by all means do it. There are only a few downsides:

It will take a LOT of work to become published. Write a lot, edit a lot, and revise a lot and you may be one of the lucky ones.

If you are unable to write for a living, you may need to continue on to a Masters or PhD in order to get a substantial job with a literature degree. Have you considered taking the teaching path in literature? That will get you in the door to teach K-12 at least.

Do not join the Army out of pressure. It is a HUGE commitment and cannot be taken lightly.

As a side note: I live in Bozeman and love it here. It is beautiful. I have never done the MSU thing and don’t know how their lit. program is, but they are a decent school.

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