Creative Writing Degrees: My Experience

I remember applying for University and there not being much out there about the specific course I had found (Creative and Media Writing). Although I found a lot of advice about English Literature courses (my original preference) which helped, I would love to start making content for people who are in the position I was then to get a sense of what the course involves.

These are some of the Creative Writing and Media units you can choose from at the University of Portsmouth:

• Poetry
• True stories/Memoir
• Animation
• Review writing
• Fan fiction and Historical fiction 
• News, War and Peace 
• Cultures of Consumption
• Feature writing
• Writing for Children/Young Adults
• Writing for the Press
• Travel Writing
• Talk Shows
• Media & Propaganda
• Script/Radio writing
• Short stories
• Non-fiction
• Theoretical Studies/Critical Thinking (feminism, existentialism, sociology) 
• Publishing
• Contemporary media events
• Popular culture
• Magazine design and content (including learning Indesign and other applications) 
• Film/Television studies and society
• Print media (the history and contemporary studies) 
• Comedy and culture 

As you can see, there is lot more to it than the 'arty' label suggests. It amazes me how much fits into a three year time frame, and I've really enjoyed the course overall.

If you are - like I was - juggling between English Literature and a Creative Writing degree, I would definitely suggest looking at the Creative Writing path as an option. Much of the essay writing is in the style of English Literature, and you can analyse your own work alongside other authors. I feel like we were able to get a taster of so many different forms, seeing what we liked and were good at, which I might not have tried outside of Uni. 

Something to bear in mind, like most courses, this one involves a lot of independent study and often assignments are broad so you are able to mould it to your chosen subject. This takes a bit of getting used to for some people, and I for one really wanted clear guidance, but after a while it becomes fun testing the boundaries and brainstorming. I applied theoretical studies to Sherlock, Gilmore Girls, Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror and so many more. Even seemingly complex concepts can be explored through modern texts, which I enjoyed experimenting with. 

So what jobs can you get after graduating? I'm in the process of researching career paths and options, but really - so long as you can find a way to use your gained skills, you can take it anywhere! People tend to become journalists, screen writers, authors and editors, but the world is quickly developing and new jobs are popping up which will be relevant, especially in the creative industry. Don't panic. Apply for internships and work experience in advance, as you will not only get experience which looks good on your CV, you'll get a sense of what kind of role you feel most comfortable doing.

Good luck! 

What I Read in January

This month has been a real mixed bag, reading wise, as I've been trying to get through my personal 'to-be-read' pile, whole working through books for University assignments. I've ended the month feeling a little burnt out, struggling to focus and really settle into a new story, but I'm happy to have a short break for a while.

1. Writing Poetry and Getting Published - I read this as part of my research for a writing project unit, and I found this really helpful. It includes games and writing prompts, tips for editing and what to do with your poetry portfolio once it is complete. It's a small book so it doesn't take long to read.
   
2. A Galaxy of Her Own - I couldn't resist picking this up in Waterstones, I think partially because I was still on a high after watching the Hidden Figures film, which if you haven't seen - you must! The cover is beautiful and this book is really similar to Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls, with illustrations and profiles on women throughout history who have worked in the space industry (I think that's the right term?) - from engineers to nutritionists and fashion designers. There are great quotes in this and it would make a great coffee table book.
   
3. Eating Words - This is a collection of food writing which I started over summer last year! I finally got around to finishing this, and as much as I enjoyed it in parts, it was quite academic and difficult to remember to return to. If you're interested in food writing, it's worth referring to, as it has a broad range of genres and authors from different time periods.
   
4. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - It took me a while to get into this book as the honest dialogue is painful at times, but soon enough I was emotionally invested in the story. The central character is quirky and incredibly isolated, which we learn more about as the novel unfolds. Hilarious, gritty, realistic and mysterious.
   
5. Rebecca – I usually don’t choose Classics, and I've not read many, but my friend Lizzie lent me her copy with the promise that I’d be hooked – and she was right. This has definite Great Gatsby elements, with a majority of the novel set in a grand estate, with a mysterious man living behind the doors. The main character is tormented by her new husband's dead ex-wife, and every paranoid feeling she has is palpable - I loved it!
   
6. Kitchen – My mum has been recommending this book for ages, and I'm so happy I finally read it. It explores the power of memories, and how kitchens bring so much comfort to our lives. At one point the main character gets a taxi across cities just to give her close friend a taste of the pork katsu ramen she eats for dinner, which made me very happy. 

What have you read this month and do you have any plans to read anything in particular this year? Follow me on Goodreads here if you want more reviews and bookish updates.