Hatrack River Writers Workshop: HELP!!! DESPERATE!

This is topic HELP!!! DESPERATE! in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by LeGLeSs (Member # 2655) on :

Hey people, i know this kind of leads off the subject but i need your help!

ok, so i REALLY want to be a writer/author and at the moment i am in year 11 (high school) but i am not getting high enough marks to get to university so i have to change my plans and go to TAFE but i need to hand in the subject selecting form for yr 12 (high school) but i need to think about what subjects would help me get into tafe courses (like creative writing or any form of author writing. My question is do any of you know what kind of subjects i should take and what kind of course i should aim to go for in tafe. At the moment i am passin my english literature class and thats the only exams subject i am passing so i'll be sticking to that next year... but yea if you have any ideas please PLEASE email me miche_mouse44@hotmail.com im desperate .. and im sorry if this is off the subject.

Thanx for your time

[This message has been edited by LeGLeSs (edited July 28, 2005).]

Posted by Christine (Member # 1646) on :

Um...what on earth is TAFE?

Posted by LeGLeSs (Member # 2655) on :

TAFE is a kind of college thing. If you don't get high enough marks in high school to go straight to university you can go through tafe and then to university. It's like a "back door"

Posted by EricJamesStone (Member # 1681) on :

If you want to write science fiction and/or fantasy, then you need to be careful in selecting a creative writing class -- some creative writing teachers frown upon genre writing. If you can't take creative writing from a teacher who appreciates genre writing, then I would recommend a technical writing course to help improve your grammar and your ability to write clearly.

As far as other subjects, you should take classes that broaden your knowledge of people: things like history, sociology, psychology.

I would also suggest, as a practical measure, that you take classes that will prepare you for a career as something other than an author, because it can be quite difficult to make a living as an author.

Posted by Christine (Member # 1646) on :

Oh...ok.

I will second everything Eric said and add one more reason that you should prepare for a career that is not writing. Aside from the fact that you can't count on getting a job as an author, you would also probably like something to write *about*. If you like scifi, I'd pick a scientific field. Even if you're more into fantasy, though, I'd pick something other than English...history, maybe for fantasy, but then you have to think about what you're going to do with a history degree. Many authors end up teaching, I think, which is a perfectly good way to go.

Posted by SteeleGregory (Member # 2049) on :

Christine and Eric have already given you some great advice, but I'd like to add a few things.

As an author, you don't need college for the credentials. No one is going to ask for a resume with your manuscript. However, you should want college for the variety of subjects and odd ideas you won't find elsewhere.

Take classes that you're interested in. You should do best at the things you like. Consider taking a computer programming course for practice at logic and organization. Natural sciences like biology and geology can help you see the world in different ways.

Experience things. Join clubs. Volunteer to do things that you've never done. Get strange summer jobs, like cheese-maker or chicken plucker. Join the military for a few years. Keep a journal.

Just make sure you know the basics of the English language and then learn and experience as much as you can.

Posted by electricgrandmother (Member # 2713) on :

I absolutely agree with what everyone's said.

My personal life as case in point:

I got a degree in anthropology, which means I'm qualified to do certain jobs.

BUT it also helped make me a better writer. I learned a great deal more about writing and became a better writer from my anthropology classes than I ever did from any writing class I took in college.

While in college, and later, I've tried to do some living, spend time with people, talk with people about what matters to them, watchthem, watch the world, and have experiences.

One option you may want to look in to: I know some colleges/universities have some interdisciplinary degrees where several different departments will teach. I've known some writers who got these degrees and have felt the degree was very useful for them. And again, there's jobs (though maybe not a huge ton) that are looking for employees with such a background.

Good luck!

[This message has been edited by electricgrandmother (edited July 28, 2005).]

Posted by Keeley (Member # 2088) on :

Eek! Yeah, what the others have said. (That's what I get for taking my time to post.)

Live life. Do what you love and the stories will flow.

Original post:

I looked up the TAFE test on the Net and I have to say that I can't really answer your question since I'm not from Australia and I'm not familiar with their testing system.

I can agree with Christine, however, that a solid understanding of history is vital in writing fantasy. Anthropology would also be a very good subject to focus on. Poltical science and military strategy are definitely useful as well.

Those are all the subjects I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure there are many more.

[This message has been edited by Keeley (edited July 28, 2005).]

Posted by NewsBys (Member # 1950) on :

Ever consider journalism? It's what inspired me to write fiction.
Most journalism, or mass communications programs include creative writing and business writing, as well as press release and news writing.
It will give you a firm writing foundation and a marketable skill.

Posted by Christine (Member # 1646) on :

Unfortunately, it still doesn't give you anything to write *about*. Also, from what I understand, journalism pays very little and makes you work odd hours.

Posted by djvdakota (Member # 2002) on :

If you're not succeeding in school now, I'd also suggest you take a long HARD look at the things that are taking you away from studying your courses. It only gets harder from here, Legless. And if you don't do something to improve your study skills NOW, you're not likely to make it through TAFE either.

Posted by Keeley (Member # 2088) on :

quote:
If you're not succeeding in school now, I'd also suggest you take a long HARD look at the things that are taking you away from studying your courses. It only gets harder from here, Legless. And if you don't do something to improve your study skills NOW, you're not likely to make it through TAFE either.

Which goes back to BIC: Butt in Chair. Also known as "determination".

Very useful in all situations.

Posted by JmariC (Member # 2698) on :

You could look at at psycology, sociology and philosophy.
Each of those subjects can help a writer of just about any genre, while also giving you paying career choices.

Posted by Robyn_Hood (Member # 2083) on :

I'll second Newsby journalism suggestion. It isn't for everyone and yes, the pay sucks as do some of the hours, but I have done things and been exposed to things as a journalist that I otherwise might never done.

I'm not currently working in the field and am not likely to return to it anytime soon, but it is something to consider and will help stretch your writing abilities in several ways. You can also learn great research and interview skills that are important for writers.

It isn't for everyone, but if you can do, it's a rush.

Posted by NewsBys (Member # 1950) on :

With a mass communications, journalism or marketing/public relations education, you can find plenty of jobs that are well-paid and have normal business hours.
Just out of college, I got a job in public relations. Later, I became the editorial assistant and then interim managing editor of the journal for the same company.
I always worked 9-5 and on normal business days. Plenty of companies need PR people.

[This message has been edited by NewsBys (edited July 28, 2005).]

Posted by Thieftess (Member # 1683) on :

I didn't do well in English for the reasons Eric stated above (teachers didn't appreciate my pulpy, classless, genre-fiction approach to their literary lifestyle) so I majored in Chemistry. I got my degree, and then went straight into the book business. Went on to edit anthologies, write essays and do interviews for Apex Digest, and I've written both a picture book and a YA Horror novel.

Study what you like that will get you a job. Sure, I didn't do anything with the chemistry stuff, but I had a degree, and I would have failed English classes miserably.

Write because you LOVE it.

My 2p.
~Alethea

Posted by Thieftess (Member # 1683) on :

PS -- I also learned more about English Grammar by taking several years of both Spanish and French. Be sure to take a foreign language, as many as you can, no matter what.

Posted by LeGLeSs (Member # 2655) on :

Thankyou for all your help!

i did think about journalism hehe
.....and i was leaning more towards about writing sci-fi/fantasy

It's not that im not putting in the effort it's just i'm the only student doing TEE (tertiary entrance exams) that wasn't in the AEP (acedemic excellence programme) the 3 years previous. Only a few people get into that so i was in th enext group down. I'm doing 2 completely new subjects i've never even done before and i gotta catch up 3 years work that the AEP got to do that i wasn't taught aswell as keep up the homework every night and 2 hours study. Im trying! It's just when they scale down my marks that's what brings me down im passing the classes in semesters jus th score i need to go to uni is minimum of 70 TER (TERTIARY ENTRANCE RANKING) and mine is 60.

Anywayz as i said before THANKYOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH... i really appreciate it... im goin to go think of my options now

[This message has been edited by LeGLeSs (edited July 28, 2005).]