Thinking About Earning a Creative Writing Certificate?

Many people believe that one has to either be an English major or excellent at writing to creative write in any way. Absolutely not! Creative writing can be for anyone, as long as they put their mind to it. With that said, many don't also realize that anyone can receive their creative writing certificate, no matter what major they are taking. If gaining your creative writing certificate sounds interesting to you, here's what you need to know when you're ready to set your mind towards that goal.

Check with Your School

First things first. In order to begin this journey, set up a schedule with either your own counselor or a counselor that you know deals with and can provide information pertaining to the creative writing certificate. Before going to talk to either one, make sure you have questions handy that are most important to you in keeping and maintaining the certificate. Ask about credit hours, classes, how it could possibly interfere with your current classes or future classes that you have to take for your major, or even how you can make your credit hours match with some of your current or future classes. Make sure to ask the counselor to print out this information if possible so that you can always have it with you in case you forget anything.

Prepare Classes

Now that you have all the information you need, the next step is to start getting classes that you have to take wrapped around your brain. Yes, there will come times when you may have to sacrifice a class for another, but college is about opportunities, so don't let that sway you. When preparing creative writing classes, there are a few things to know just in case your major isn't English or another major where you have to write a lot: There will definitely be a lot of writing involved, so be ready. Some creative writing teachers also assign books to read that either provides you with a chance to experience professional authors at their best or books that will guide beginning creative writers.

Don't fret on the reading. These books give out great advice and may even change how you look at the world. Some of the information that these creative writing guiding books administer are: how to undo writer's block, how procrastination isn't always a bad thing, how to make describing a simple scenery into something wondrous, how to schedule your time writing or even different ways to go about writing with your free time.

Create a Ritual

As mentioned previously, some of the guiding books that you may have to buy while in a creative writing class will deal with creating a schedule for yourself related to your writing, but sometimes it's best to know before having to create all these class schedules and buying books. Especially if you're aiming for a creative writing certificate or in the midst of thinking about it, creating a writing ritual may be just what you need to test yourself and see if this is the path you really want to take.

Think about when you have the freest time out of your day, about every day if possible. When you've gotten that down, schedule those times to practice writing in any way. This may include just jotting down ideas that come to mind, writing paragraphs that make no sense, or just as well, planning future poems, assignments, short stories, or novels for yourself. Even if you don't feel like writing at all, make yourself go specifically by your schedule just to do one or some of these things listed. Writing nonsense as one of the goals may seem crazy but many times, especially when having to write a lot, just getting random thoughts out of your head is the best medicine. Many people assume that others who adore writing, write constantly or go into their quiet place and come out with a novel. Trust me, as a writing student and lover of creative stories, this is not the case.

Creating a ritual could also include doing something that you know means the end or beginning of your writing process for the day. Some people set up timers for themselves while others may turn on a single light when they start and turn it off when they finish. It may sound odd, but the mind gets used to it. After many times of making yourself go along with your ritual, writing will come easier and a lot simpler to do.

Keep Checking with Your Advisor

I found that one of the best opportunities that came with having an advisor is constantly being able to go to them when dealing with stress or future obstacles as well as financial problems, classes, or scheduling your personal life around college.

Since your mind is set on earning your certificate, I would recommend to constantly (if possible or when free) be in contact with your advisor. Ask them if you should watch out for any future problems or ask their advice of what they think you should do next. However remember, this is just advice. As they should tell you, you don't have to listen to them, just take into account what they are saying.

Anyone can set their imagination into motion to create beautiful writing. We unconsciously do it every day. When we see things, think about things, zone out, or dream, we are using our imagination to its fullest. Creative writing is truly just taking what you believe and putting it on paper, so if creative writing really is your passion but you aren't an English major, don't get discouraged, get encouraged and inspired.