Writing may be an art, but it is also a craft. It must be honed through continual practice, interaction with other writers, and exercises that challenge the writer to step outside his or her comfort zone.
The term "lone writer" is a partial oxymoron. Those who pursue formal training in writing understand that their work benefits from being among a community of writers and instructors who are each dedicated to finding ... their own voice and engaging readers at all levels. Through workshops, seminars, and lectures, student-writers learn what kind of writing works best in different formats—as well as how to break into the publishing industry. Writers will also learn how to critique and edit the work of other writers. Most programs have students specialize in either fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, but there is enormous versatility even within these genres; nonfiction, for instance, can encompass everything from memoirs to movie reviews
Successful students will develop an impressive portfolio of work that showcases their diverse abilities and range of interests. A portfolio is an essential instrument for breaking into writing for magazines, film, television, newspapers, or pursuing freelance work. It can also help aspiring authors to secure an agent with ties to the publishing industry.
Is there truth to the myth of the "starving poet?" It greatly depends. Because of the varied success of full-time writers, compensation varies widely. Many writers, however, work as freelancers, earning income on a project-by-project basis.
