Yvonne Said:

College Degrees Question, Confused Freshman?

We Answered:

If you do a study of best sellers you'll find that the largest degree major percentage is journalism and/or their occupation is journalist. You'll also find that a very high percentage of fiction best sellers don't have a degree at all and very few have an MFA.

As for majors of value to writers: For any field that you'll write non-fiction, a major in that field is a huge advantage. For example; journalists that write on business and economic news do much better for themselves with a degree on econ or business admin. Those writing science or health news do better with a degree in one of the sciences. Technical writers almost always need a degree in the field that they're writing on.

For non-fiction the choices are wider but tend to follow the same pattern. Modern readers tend to be much more educated than in the past and expect their fiction to be accurate. Writers of historical romance or historical fiction do well with a major in history. Writers of scifi benefit from a major in physics or space science. Writers of intrigue and spy novels do well with some poli sci or geography. Etc...

The advantage to taking the specialized major route is that you keep doors open to functional employment while developing your art and getting started. You have to pay the bills somehow while you're writing and between checks. Many prospective fiction writers enter teaching to pay the bills while they write. The MFA is a terminal degree and qualifies the holder to teach at the university level.

MFA programs (in all of the arts) tend to base admission on demonstrated talent and not on your undergraduate major. You'll be required to present a portfolio of your work upon which the program will make their decision. You can major in astrobiology for all most care, as long as you can show them that you write very well.

Most colleges have creative writing and technical writing available to undergrads as either a minor or a selection of elective courses. Those are good for your development no matter which major you pick. Remember though, English as a major is about literature - other people's writing. It's not so much about creating your own.

People that tell you that refined writing skill has no vocational market value haven't looked around at job postings. There are two areas in universal labor supply shortage with no indication that they're going to resolve. Those are "the ability to communicate well orally and in writing" and "higher mathematical skill" - having either skill gives you considerable advantage over all other job applicants. Having both at a high level makes you a rare breed.

Now, if what you really want to do is write for a living then there's one piece of advice you'll get from every writer out there. Practice writing by writing a lot. Then write some more.

also - "their program"

Nellie Said:

Which laptop would be better for me, Mac or PC laptop?

We Answered:

Based upon what you describe as your support network, Windows based laptop would be better. You're more comfortable with it, your family all uses it, and yes most people at college will likely be Windows users. But to expect 8 years out of a Windows laptop, good luck. At the very least, wait until Windows 7 comes out, and then you can maximize its lifespan. Don't get a Vista based laptop, that's just a mistake.

Macs are more likely to give you a computer you can still run in 8 years. I know way more Mac people that still have an old laptop and are still running strong with it than PC folks. But part of that is certainly that buying a new Mac would be very costly, so you have to take that situation with a grain of salt. But I would still expect a Mac laptop to out last any PC one. The softwares you mention that you like on a Mac don't really exist on the PC side. But I don't think you can really go to a Mac just for that.

If you get a Mac laptop with a nice big hard drive (at least 250GB, but see if a local store might upgrade it for you to say a 320GB or 500GB one), then you could easily install Windows on it. Just use BootCamp and then you can use the Mac OSX for Mac stuff and Windows for Windows stuff. You can only do this with a Mac laptop though.

You will never find a cheap tablet PC. They are too niche right now. If its cheap its either stolen or used. Neither of which I would recommend purchasing.

Melinda Said:

How can I help my brother improve his grades?

We Answered:

It will just take time if he is into sports then whatever sport it is like if it is soccer put some of the curriculum in the spots etc. But if he is not then try to get him interested by making it have something to do with stories. Or make a game out of it. If you need help please e-mail me at michaelplocher@yahoo.com please email me i want to help

Brandy Said:

M.A. or M.F.A?

We Answered:

Does the MA help you get into the MFA program in creative writing? That was not my impression.

In creative writing, as in most arts, an MFA is considered the terminal professional degree. It would be better, in many cases, for you to have the MFA, rather than the MA. It's considered more rigorous.

All community colleges allow you to teach with a master's degree, especially if that master's is actually the terminal degree in your field.

Everett Said:

Should I audition for the art school again?

We Answered:

I'm a creative writer at an art school. I auditioned, got in...yada yada. It depends on the school and the department if you're basing your decision on money. At my school, it isn't a high cost to be a creative writer, but it is to be in orchestra or band. If you really don't want to be in an art school, it after all your decision in the end. Don't let anybody force you to audition or to attend if you're accepted. If it's not your taste, then let the other people deal with it. Ultimately, do what you feel suits you.

Angela Said:

Is an M.F.A. in Screenwriting the same thing as an M.F.A. in Creative Writing???

We Answered:

If I were you, I'd compare the courses required for the two M.F.A programs you are looking at, and see if they are substantially the same.

George Said:

Could you proof this bio for me? Didn't learn English until I was 17. Feel free. Thanks?

We Answered:

Hi, escritoramx.
Wow. Starting at 17 doesn't seem to have hurt you.
(SUGGESTIONS IN ALL CAPITALS)
All my adult life, and after my divorce and the lost of my children due to an illegal adoption, I have had menial jobs. Through hard work AND WITH student loans where I still have a balance, I managed to acquire AN M.A [DOT AFTER THE A] in Spanish and creative writing [LOWERCASE C AND W]. I was thrilled when I got accepted to the M.F.A. program at SDSU[SPELL OUT NAME] and was accepted. [THE NEXT SENTENCE SOUNDS OUT OF PLACE. DO YOU MEAN THAT MOST CLASSMATES bragged ABOUT THEIR COMPUTERS?] Most of my classmates talked about their computers. I had a portable Smith-Corona which WAS lost or stolen [CONSISTENT USE OF PASSIVE VOICE or "which I lost or SOMEONE stole," IN ACTIVE VOICE]. I don’t know which. My first job was thanks to money THAT President Clinton awarded to recent graduates. FOR a while, I had my dream job teaching in several community colleges. Then there were cut-backs in education [COMMA] and MY JOB was eliminated. Now I still write. I do English and Spanish translations for extra income. And sometimes when I close my eyes, I still remember the FACES of many of my students [FINAL PERIOD]

Hope this helps.