From Dreamer to Author: No Degree? No Problem!

One would think that having a college degree would be the starting point to becoming a successful author. But in fact, you don’t need a college degree at all. It can’t hurt, but it also apparently doesn’t help. There is no correlation between education and writing success. What matters most is your creativity and passion. Some of the most well-known authors never went to school to study writing. Mark Twain, Ray Bradbury, Charles Dickens, Jack London, and Lee Child did not go to university. On the other hand, John Grisham, Stephen King, Dan Brown, and J.K. Rowling did get college degrees. But of these, only Stephen King and Dan Brown got degrees in English, and not specifically in Creative Writing. John Grisham got his degree in Law and J.K. Rowling‘s degree is in French. So go figure.

Embracing the Magic of Storytelling

Every author has his or her own style and voice, so no need to try to fit your style into a particular mold. The key is to be inspired by what excites you and let your passion flow out through your writing.

You Can Always Learn

Learning doesn’t stop just because you didn’t go on to university. You can always improve your skills by reading widely and writing regularly. Every story you write helps you get better. If you have the drive to write, not having a degree in Creative Writing is not a barrier to your purpose. Your imagination, dedication, and love for storytelling are all you need. Write often, and keep improving. You truly can achieve the satisfaction of being a published author no matter what.