Writing Lessons & Advice: Educational and Development Opportunities
- Katie Johns
- Aug 4
- 3 min read
This post is publishing on the cusp of back-to-school season in the U.S.!
If furthering your education or developing your skills in the act and art of writing is in your interest, this post will share some possibilities to consider.
Some crucial forethoughts to start though: There’s a little more discussion about education misconceptions in the Myths About Writing post, but the sum of it is that educational/development opportunities are good stops on a journey in writing. Everybody’s journey and stops will be different, so no one’s experiences should be considered any less because they did or didn’t make certain ones. Many factors go into the attendance, availability, or profitability of such experiences, so this post is only meant to list some suggestions rather than plot out a route of absolute requirements. Feel free to take your interests and personal situation into consideration with your plans!
College majors/degrees
College education is a pretty traditional direction to follow and offers broad possibilities. One can find many general studies, like English, creative writing, and literature, but also career-oriented ones, like journalism, technical writing, professional writing, communications, and others. Many of these are offered on both undergraduate (Bachelors or BA) and graduate (Masters or MFA) levels.
These links will give you more details into the options:
By the way, if you’re curious about the difference between a creative writing and an English degree, this Forbes article provides some great information!
Online courses
Collegiate institutions offering online classes is common in this day and age, but there are options that don’t entail collegiate fees. Platforms and communities like Skillshare, MasterClass, or Coursera offer internet-based learning opportunities for only the cost of a subscription or course registration!
Writing residencies
Writing residencies are getaway opportunities that give writers space to focus exclusively on their craft. They typically entail traveling and expense logistics can vary by opportunity. Most application processes will require references, a publication history, an artist’s statement, and/or work samples.
A little more insight about residencies can be found in these articles:
Writing workshops and writers groups
Workshops and groups offer enrichment and support on smaller scales compared to the other options. Some may even have a more intimate and casual atmosphere. Colleges or universities may offer workshops without general enrollment with a major for participation. Other outlets may come from independent organizations with literary interests in your area. Some are even facilitated online through sites like Writer's Digest and The Novelry.
Check out these links for more tips on finding workshops or groups you might connect with:
Media and Events
Again, a lot of these stops can entail considerable personal and/or financial commitment. But there are some less-demanding opportunities and resources in the form of:
Literary fairs and festivals- many host talks or workshops from established writers
Find events that might be convenient for you with these lists and search tools:
Most may know a quote that says something like, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Writing is much the same way. As stated in the myths post, just about any level of writing experience or expertise is an acceptable place to start as a writer. Educational and development opportunities will offer growth and guidance for those who want to be more dedicated to the journey. More still, that enrichment is available in a variety of ways! Incorporating the stops convenient for you is surely a step closer to meeting your writing goals!
I hope you’re encouraged to seek out chances to cultivate your potential!
What educational/development stops do you want to make on your writing journey? If you’re further along, which ones would you advise? If you want to discuss learning opportunities or other topics you want me to cover in the future, you’re welcome to reach out to me on the web chat feature or socials!
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