“Learning to write by trial and error not only calls for patience on the writer’s part, it also taxes the patience of wives, landlords, and creditors. Whenever someone, especially a young person, tells me of an ambition to become a writer, my heart goes out to him or her immediately—and my spirits sink. There is seldom a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, even for those who become established writers eventually—and a lot can happen between now and eventually, like broken marriages, eviction for non-payment of rent, and the like.”
– The economist Thomas Sowell, in “Some Thoughts on Writing” (2001)
Being a writer may have been my most-stubbornly-held childhood ambition. I had this dream from a very early age. I wanted to be a professional writer, and sell popular novels that I hoped would make me a fortune. At that time, I tended to imagine myself writing a science fiction novel of some kind. It’s not unusual for kids to have dreams like this, but it is unusual for people to ever realize such ambitions. Certainly I have never made any significant money from my writings, and I’ve been blogging for more than a decade now.
My interests have largely shifted since I was a kid, since I now tend to write more about history and politics. Readers of this blog are likely to notice this quickly after visiting my blog. It’s possible that my efforts (successful or otherwise) to write good fiction stories as a kid may have helped me in my later efforts to write non-fiction, even though these two genres (obviously) have very different writing styles. The sorts of things that you want to write … may influence your decisions about college. That is, your decisions about what to study in depth, what to study in passing, and even whether to be attending college in the first place. Many different kinds of programs can help you in this endeavor – or, at least, they’re fairly likely to do so if you study them in the right kinds of schools.
So, without further ado, I will now give my thoughts on what college majors (or minors) are most appropriate for aspiring writers. To be clear, there is no guarantee here that you’ll make any money with any of these majors – let alone that you’ll do so as a successful professional writer. But, if you’re interested in writing for a living, here are a few college majors to consider:
Ernest Hemingway, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature
Technical Writing and Professional Writing
One obvious program of study is a major focused on writing itself. For example, some schools offer programs in technical, professional, and scientific writing. Many others offer at least one class in it. My own school was one of those to do so, but I wasn’t able to take the class – since I instead took a business communication class towards the same requirement that this would have fulfilled. Sometimes, this kind of major will be focusing on science and technology, as much as it focuses on writing. This is because these people often write technical manuals for people to use. I once applied online for a job as a technical writer, and was thus asked what sorts of things I like to read for pleasure. It was a multiple-choice question, and I could tell from its wording that it wanted me to say that I like reading “technical manuals” for pleasure. But I would have been lying to give that answer, so I had to give another multiple-choice answer instead. Thus, obviously, I didn’t get the job. But, if you like working with technical manuals, this is a relatively lucrative area of writing. It’s something to consider, at least.
Commodore 64, an early computer from 1982
Creative Writing
Many schools also offer classes in creative writing. In these classes, you have somewhat greater latitude in choosing the genre of your writing. Poetry and short stories are often preferred for these classes, though, since you seldom have the time to write a piece of any substantial length in a one-semester class. You probably won’t be writing that “great American novel” for a creative writing class. But you will get some helpful practice in writing, and in getting your work reviewed by others. It can get you used to the often-brutal feedback from others (sometimes fellow students) who are asked to read your work. Conversely, you may also learn to comment upon the writing of others, and (ideally) to deliver your feedback in a relatively tactful way. Your professor, after all, is likely to see what you’ve written to your peers for these assignments – and may not appreciate it if you’re unnecessarily harsh. Some have objected that it’s better to study the greatest work of others (for example, literary works), rather than writing in relative ignorance of the cultural traditions of your society. This is why many creative writing programs now have a literature component. Some even offer creative writing as a concentration within an English major. I was once offered the chance to take a class like this towards an English requirement in high school. I declined, since a different option (which I eventually chose) allowed me to also get credit towards local college English requirements – which were to be general education requirements at my destination school. Nonetheless, the best creative writing classes can be very helpful, and so can entire majors in this subject.
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, as illustrated back in 1892
English Literature
English literature is a more traditional major for people who want to write. At its best, this major has allowed people to access the language’s cultural traditions, as well as to get some basic exposure to some other aspects of the subject (such as English-language linguistics). But, sadly, this discipline has degenerated somewhat in recent years, and is thus harder for me to recommend here. You’d have to study it in a place that teaches actual English literature, rather than the latest postmodern fads – where the subject ostensibly being taught has long since been forgotten. But the major as it once was … is of inestimable value. An aspiring writer would do quite well to study the work of the masters. One occasional regret in my life is that I failed to take Honors English in high school. I instead took the easy way out, taking English classes that were of more moderate difficulty. In those days, I could have gotten an actual education in the subject (at least in outline form). But, if you can’t find a school that teaches actual English literature, then you might consider reading some of the literary classics on your own instead. Again, I openly admit my own failures in this area. What I know about literature could probably be written on one side of a 3-by-5 notecard, with room to spare – and I’m being generous to myself. Nonetheless, I would agree with the idea that the greatest classics have much to teach us – both in terms of themes, and in terms of writing style. These classics are among the best kinds of education that one can get in this area (or in any area, for that matter) – although, again, it depends much on whether your program actually teaches the subject or not.
William Shakespeare, one of the greatest names in English literature
Comparative Literature or Theater Arts
But some have criticized the traditional English degree as being too Anglo-centric, since it tends to focus on the various world cultures that speak English – Britain, America, and Australia among them. It’s possible to take classes in the English-language literature of India, and in that of various ethnic minorities in the United States – such as African Americans. Indeed, it’s hard even to graduate from the mainstream colleges of today, without some exposure to certain kinds of ethnic topics. Regardless, programs like “comparative literature” are also available, which allow you to compare and contrast the works of different cultures. Sometimes you can read such literature in the original, although this major would more often be reading these works in translation – except in those cases where they’re in your native language, that is. Another related major is theater arts, which performs various kinds of plays on stage. This can include classic plays like those of William Shakespeare, or more recent plays that are designed for Broadway or the West End. In this kind of major, you can learn about many other aspects of the theater – such as building sets, having appropriate lighting, and the sound possibilities of microphones and intercom systems for the stage. You would be surprised at how relevant such things can be, for anyone who wants to write a stage play. I took a Drama Productions class in high school that was somewhat in this vein. Some in this major actually become techies on Broadway, or perform other roles behind the scenes on stage. Others learn to act, in styles ranging from classic Shakespearean acting to contemporary comedic acting. Regardless, these can be good places to learn about writing, with each of these majors offering its own distinct advantages – again, where they are actually taught well.
Greek theatre of Taormina – Sicily, Italy
Psychology and Linguistics
I mentioned earlier that many English departments offer some classes in English linguistics. You can also take some classes in linguistics generally, and even major in this fascinating subject. Here, I have somewhat more experience from some independent study of my own. In this kind of major, you would study topics like phonetics and phonology (the sound of language), morphology and syntax (the structure of language), and semantics and pragmatics (the meaning of language). You can also study the linguistics of other languages, such as Spanish or Japanese. It’s a more analytical approach to language – and, in some ways, more scientific. Some have observed that linguistics training can be surprisingly helpful with poetry, and this truly does not surprise me in the least – although I have little personal experience with poetry from which to comment here. You might also learn something here about the psychology of language, and how it is acquired by young children. A related major is psychology, which can be surprisingly helpful in offering insights into various literary characters. Some novels and movies are very psychological, exploring topics from amnesia to the motivations for committing crimes. This sort of thing can be surprisingly useful for anyone writing about human beings, both in fictional and in non-fictional contexts.
Brain scan
Liberal Arts
Liberal arts programs in general can also be very helpful for aspiring writers. In particular, this can include humanities subjects like history, philosophy, religion, languages, and (of course) literature. But their value has likewise become compromised in recent years, because many liberal arts disciplines (particularly from the humanities) have likewise been corrupted. The social sciences and humanities disciplines have mostly become a playground for postmodern neo-Marxists, from which few substantive contributions seem ever to come. Thus, one would again have to give a caveat about studying these things at a place where the subject itself is no longer taught. I’m a big fan of the actual humanities subjects themselves – having written much on this blog about history, philosophy, religion, and languages. I recognize the value of these subjects when they are actually taught well. The trouble is that the “humanities disciplines” are no longer the humanities disciplines. To someone who knows these subjects as they once were, the classes that surround them today are almost unrecognizable, and have morphed into something very different. To rant further on this subject would carry this post somewhat off-topic, and I don’t wish to do this here. Thus, suffice it to say here that the liberal arts subjects themselves are very valuable, even if the usual way in which they’re taught today … is somewhat lacking, to say the least. I praise the subjects, but would withhold praise from (most of) the contemporary programs in these areas.
The Parthenon in Ancient Greece, which I use here to symbolize the humanities
Journalism
Another traditional preparation for aspiring writers is the journalism major. I once read an introductory textbook on this subject, so I can only comment upon the basics here. In theory, at least, journalism teaches you to report the facts objectively, and to offer information in an objective and unbiased way. And, to some degree, this may have once been true. But journalism majors today are indoctrinated with a lot of vague rhetoric about “changing the world,” and seldom offer even the pretense of objectivity. Where the pretense exists, there is seldom any real substance to it. Nonetheless, the major as it once was … tended to be very valuable. It once gave an understanding of the media (the news media in particular), and how news stories are to be discovered and communicated. But a common complaint about journalism schools is that students often graduate without even a rudimentary knowledge of grammar. They also teach an “announcing” style of public speaking, which (in my opinion) seldom succeeds in giving life to the story. It is a relic from a time when people had to speak clearly over the radio, in lower-pitched voices that could actually be heard by their listeners. It seems to have outlived its usefulness today. Thus, it may actually be better to learn public speaking in a communications class instead – and such classes are available from these departments. Thus, I have serious reservations about recommending a journalism major to my readers.
Harry Truman holding up the erroneous headline “Dewey Defeats Truman,” 1948
Media Arts and Film Studies
A related major is media arts, which studies the media (news-related and otherwise) as a whole. It includes media history, media theory, and media criticism – among some other things. Some of this is actually helpful, but it again depends upon how it’s taught. Another related major is film studies, which helps you to learn everything about making an interesting film. It is somewhat similar to the theater arts programs mentioned earlier. That is, you learn about cameras, sets, lighting, sound effects, and the use of background music. You may also learn a thing or two about special effects, which can play a major role in many movies. This can be surprisingly helpful, if you’re writing anything for film or television – and I include certain YouTube videos in this category. Thus, this is a major to consider if you want to hit the big time. But, as with many other areas of writing, it’s unlikely to lead to major success. You could hit the big time and strike it rich, or find no success at all here. Nonetheless, it’s still something to consider in any case.
Charlie Chaplin, an early pioneer in the film industry
Communications
A related program is communications. As mentioned earlier, communications departments offer some great classes in public speaking. This can be very helpful for aspiring speechwriters, among other people. Communications departments also offer classes in communications theory, and how to do face-to-face communication – whether in the family, or in the workplace. I’ve taken just a few classes in these areas, including the business communication class mentioned earlier. This can also involve classes in argumentation and debate, or in the logic behind them. In this regard, communications content can somewhat overlap with that of philosophy. If you’re writing something to persuade people, this kind of program can be excellent training. This kind of major tends to focus more on oral communication than on written communication. Nonetheless, it does help you to learn something about good writing practices, since public speaking often comes from using manuscripts – or, at least, written notes. This can be a good major, for people who want to talk to others for a living.
The Roman orator Cicero speaks to the Roman Senate
Advertising and Public Relations
Some related majors are advertising and public relations. In my marketing major, I took a promotional strategy class with a lot of advertising content. I also once read a public relations textbook in my spare time. These kinds of classes focus more on trying to persuade people, and to maintain relations with various groups – from employees to customers to investors. In the political realm, this kind of major can also be very helpful, as politicians and government agencies do their best to convince the voters of their own viewpoints. This can also help in writing the quarterly stock report, or in writing other documents for specialized audiences. These kinds of programs can be useful, and I can recommend them to people who want to make money. If you want to write, this can help you to write anything from advertisements to company news releases, and can give you some good public relations skills for everyday life in the process.
A 1900 British ad for soap
Business Administration: Marketing
And now I arrive at my own major: business administration with a concentration in marketing. Yes, that’s what I actually studied in college. Marketing teaches you much more than just the communication side of things. For example, you learn about consumer behavior and marketing research. You learn about what kinds of products will sell, and what people will pay for them. You also learn about how far people are willing to travel to gain access to your product. By so doing, you also learn where to sell your product, and how to get it to that location in the first place. But, for many people, this kind of writing is not as much fun to do. Creative people are often unsatisfied with business majors of any kind – and I can understand this. This kind of major is truly not for everyone. But, if you want to actually make some money, you would do well to consider a business major. A marketing concentration, in particular, can be very helpful for those of us who want to write. It is related to the aforementioned advertising and public relations programs, as you might expect – and can be a good way to make a living as well.
Advertisement for Barnum & Bailey circus, 1900
Business Administration: Finance
One other area of business that can be surprisingly helpful here is finance. This would shock most people, because they usually think of finance folks as people who work with numbers. And I should acknowledge that many of my finance friends can be masterfully good with numbers. But a few finance people also have some good writing ability as well. These people can sometimes find jobs in financial publications that give investment advice to others. (More about those here.) They can also help in writing corporate newsletters to a company’s investors, and give some public commentary on the financial condition of their company (where authorized, at least). You would be surprised at how useful a financial background can be in this kind of writing. It’s something else to consider, if you want to make some actual money from your writing activities. For many people, this would be a decidedly un-romantic way to make a living. But it’s also a fairly lucrative one.
NYSE traders floor before the introduction of electronic readouts and computer screens, 1963
Concluding thoughts
Whatever academic subject you choose, you will likely benefit from getting as much practice as possible with the craft of writing itself. As a writer, you may also benefit from reading the work of the masters, whoever they might be in your chosen field or genre. Some of this will likely come in your classes, while other parts may instead come in your free time – the time when you can pursue other goals, independently of any deadlines or requirements. Whatever you do, you might consider doing your best to make the most out of college, or out of any independent study in these areas. Going to college is truly not for everyone, and many great writers have never set foot on a college campus. But, if you do go to college, it can definitely help to know what kind of program is the best fit for you. To some degree, you may have to learn this by trying out the classes for yourself – and finding out the hard way about whether you have the kind of interest in them to sustain you through an entire program. You can also consider majoring in one (or more) of these subjects, and minoring in one or more of them – thus getting the benefits of multiple kinds of study in the process.
Mark Twain, someone who never went to college at all
Whatever you do, it is probably best to make the most out of your education – whether it be on a college campus or not. Life experiences can also be extraordinarily helpful for writers, since they can influence your choice of topics … and your style in writing about them. There’s a difference between having a successful romantic relationship, for example, and merely reading about one. You can also read something good about making ends meet, without having any personal experience from actually making money or trying to pay your bills. If you go to college, you should obviously try to get the most out of it. But, after you’ve graduated (from either high school or college), you might consider remaining open to what else life has to teach you afterwards. It might even make you a better writer, and increase your chances of future success in the field.
“An aspiring writer could be forgiven for thinking that learning to write is like negotiating an obstacle course in boot camp, with a sergeant barking at you for every errant football. Why not think of it instead as a form of pleasurable mastery, like cooking or photography? Perfecting the craft is a lifelong calling, and mistakes are part of the game. Though the quest for improvement may be informed by lessons and honed by practice, it must first be kindled by a delight in the best work of the masters and a desire to approach their excellence.”
– Steven Pinker, in “The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century” (2014), Chapter 1, Page 12
*****
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