25 Canadian middle-grade books to watch for in spring 2022
Undergraduate Minor
The Creative Writing Program at the University of Wyoming teaches students the fundamentals of creating original work in traditional genres (poetry, fiction, and non-fiction) while providing exciting opportunities for the exploration of blended genres and interdisciplinary work. An undergraduate student can earn a flexibly designed minor in Creative Writing that complements majors from a wide array of departments and colleges.
In the classroom, students develop communication skills that serve them well for the rest of their lives.
Creative Writing minors also enjoy writing opportunities outside of the classroom, including:
Course Requirements for the MinorCW 1040. (3 credit hours) This course is designed to help you craft various works of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. In addition to in-class writing exercises, creative exercises outside of class, and discussions, you will critique each other's writing in a constructive workshop atmosphere—thereby developing useful editorial skills that will help you improve your own writing. Through lecture and discussion, we will explore the technique and devices involved in creating fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. We will read and discuss the works of many different writers, using their technique and content as a guide for your own writing. Prerequisite: None
CW 2050. Introduction to Fiction (3 credit hours) Students read and write short fiction, with the purpose of learning the elements that comprise good fiction: setting, character, plot, point of view, voice, etc. Through discussion, writing exercises, reading, and workshop, students will practice honing their own fiction-writing skills. Prerequisite: COM1
CW 2060. Introduction to Creative Non-Fiction (3 credit hours) In general, the course will teach students to research, organize, and express themselves in a nonfiction genre, such as essay, memoir, article, biography, autobiography, etc. Prerequisite: COM1*
CW 2070. Creative Autobiographical Writing (3 credit hours) Students read and explore in writing five autobiographical forms: brief bio for publicity and job application purposes, memoir, personal essay, confession and fictional monologue. Prerequisite: COM1.*
CW 2080. Introduction to Poetry (3 credit hours) Students will read and analyze forms of poetry, and practice writing their own poems. Through discussion and workshop, students will practice honing their own poetry-writing skills. Prerequisite: COM1.*
CW 2125. Writing in Popular Genres (3 credit hours) This course changes theme from semester to semester, depending on the professor. Students will immerse themselves in a specific genre/form through intense reading and writing assignments, class discussion and workshop. Past courses have focused on Noir and Science Fiction.Prerequisite: COM 1* Creative Writing Minors may choose to use this course to fulfill one of the Literature Requirements by informing their Minor Advisor.
*Completion of the COM1 is a Required Prerequisite for the 2000-level courses; We strongly recommend that CW 1040 is also completed before registering for a 2000-level course in Creative Writing.
CW 4050. Writer's Workshop (3 credit hours). This is the capstone of the CW Minor. This course varies depending on semester and professor. In general, this is the course where students get the most workshop experience and the best opportunity to share their work with their peers and their professor. Depending on the theme of the course, students submit manuscripts in the short story, poetry, drama, etc, for criticism and consultation. Examples of past/future CW 4050 themes: The Novella/Linked Short Stories; The Camera's "I": Experimental Film and Creative Non-Fiction; Book Arts (this is team-taught by visual artist Mark Ritchie and fiction writer Alyson Hagy). Prerequisites: One 2000-level creative writing class in the appropriate genre or consent of instructor.
These courses can be found primarily through the English department, but there is flexibility, depending on a student's major. Students should always check with a Creative Writing advisor to make sure they are taking the right course.
For more information about the Undergraduate Creative Writing Program, contact Val Pexton (vapexton@uwyo.Edu) or Paul Bergstraesser (pbergst1@uwyo.Edu).
Earning A Master's In Creative Writing: What To Know
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Do you want to create written work that ignites a reader's imagination and even changes their worldview? With a master's in creative writing, you can develop strong storytelling and character development skills, equipping you to achieve your writing goals.
If you're ready to strengthen your writing chops and you enjoy writing original works to inspire others, tell interesting stories and share valuable information, earning a master's in creative writing may be the next step on your career journey.
The skills learned in a creative writing master's program qualify you to write your own literary works, teach others creative writing principles or pursue various other careers.
This article explores master's degrees in creative writing, including common courses and concentrations, admission requirements and careers that use creative writing skills. Read on to learn more about earning a master's degree in creative writing.
What Is a Master's in Creative Writing?A master's in creative writing is an advanced degree that helps you develop the skills to write your own novel, poetry, screenplay or nonfiction book. This degree can also prepare you for a career in business, publishing, education, marketing or communications.
In a creative writing master's degree program, you can expect to analyze literature, explore historical contexts of literary works, master techniques for revising and editing, engage in class workshops and peer critiques, and write your own original work.
Creative writing master's programs usually require a thesis project, which should be well-written, polished and ready to publish. Typical examples of thesis projects include poetry collections, memoirs, essay collections, short story collections and novels.
A master's in creative writing typically requires about 36 credits and takes two years to complete. Credit requirements and timelines vary by program, so you may be able to finish your degree quicker.
Specializations for a Master's in Creative WritingBelow are a few common concentrations for creative writing master's programs. These vary by school, so your program's offerings may look different.
FictionThis concentration helps you develop fiction writing skills, such as plot development, character creation and world-building. A fiction concentration is a good option if you plan to write short stories, novels or other types of fiction.
NonfictionA nonfiction concentration focuses on the mechanics of writing nonfiction narratives. If you plan to write memoirs, travel pieces, magazine articles, technical documents or nonfiction books, this concentration may suit you.
PoetryExplore the imagery, tone, rhythm and structure of poetry with a poetry concentration. With this concentration, you can expect to develop your poetry writing skills and learn to curate poetry for journals and magazines.
ScreenwritingScreenwriting is an excellent concentration to explore if you enjoy creating characters and telling stories to make them come alive for television or film. This specialization covers how to write shorts, episodic serials, documentaries and feature-length film scripts.
Admission Requirements for a Master's in Creative WritingBelow are some typical admission requirements for master's in creative writing degree programs. These requirements vary, so check with your program to ensure you've met the appropriate requirements.
This course focuses on conceptualizing, planning and developing stories on a structural level. Learners study how to generate ideas, develop interesting plots, create outlines, draft plot arcs, engage in world-building and create well-rounded characters who move their stories forward.
Graduate Studies in English LiteratureUnderstanding literature is essential to building a career in creative writing. This course prepares you to teach, study literature or write professionally. Expect to discuss topics such as phonology, semantics, dialects, syntax and the history of the English language.
Workshop in Creative NonfictionYou'll study classic and contemporary creative nonfiction in this course. Workshops in creative nonfiction explore how different genres have emerged throughout history and how previous works influence new works. In some programs, this course focuses on a specific theme.
Foundations in FictionIn this course, you'll explore how the novel has developed throughout literary history and how the short story emerged as an art form. Coursework includes reading classic and contemporary works, writing response essays and crafting critical analyses.
MA in Creative Writing vs. MFA in Creative Writing: What's the Difference?While the degrees are similar, a master of arts in creative writing is different from a master of fine arts in creative writing. An MA in creative writing teaches creative writing competencies, building analytical skills through studying literature, literary theory and related topics. This lets you explore storytelling along with a more profound knowledge of literature and literary theory.
If you want your education to take a more academic perspective so you can build a career in one of many fields related to writing, an MA in creative writing may be right for you.
An MFA prepares you to work as a professional writer or novelist. MFA students graduate with a completed manuscript that is ready for publishing. Coursework highlights subjects related to the business of writing, such as digital publishing, the importance of building a platform on social media, marketing, freelancing and teaching. An MA in creative writing also takes less time and requires fewer credits than an MFA.
If you want to understand the business of writing and work as a professional author or novelist, earning an MFA in creative writing might be your best option.
What Can You Do With a Master's in Creative Writing?Below are several careers you can pursue with a master's in creative writing. We sourced salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Postsecondary Creative Writing TeacherMedian Annual Salary: $74,280Minimum Required Education: Ph.D. Or another doctoral degree; master's degree may be accepted at some schools and community collegesJob Overview: Postsecondary teachers, also known as professors or faculty, teach students at the college level. They plan lessons, advise students, serve on committees, conduct research, publish original research, supervise graduate teaching assistants, apply for grants for their research and teach subjects in their areas of expertise.
EditorMedian Annual Salary: $73,080Minimum Required Education: Bachelor's degree in English or a related fieldJob Overview: Editors plan, revise and edit written materials for publication. They work for newspapers, magazines, book publishers, advertising agencies, media networks, and motion picture and video production companies. Editors work closely with writers to ensure their written work is accurate, grammatically correct and written in the appropriate style for the medium.
JournalistMedian Annual Salary: $55,960Minimum Required Education: Bachelor's degree in journalism or a related fieldJob Overview: Journalists research and write stories about local, regional, national and global current events and other newsworthy subjects. Journalists need strong interviewing, editing, analytical and writing skills. Some journalists specialize in a subject, such as sports or politics, and some are generalists. They work for news organizations, magazines and online publications, and some work as freelancers.
Writer or AuthorMedian Annual Salary: $73,150Minimum Required Education: None; bachelor's degree in creative writing or a related field sometimes preferredJob Overview: Writers and authors write fiction or nonfiction content for magazines, plays, blogs, books, television scripts and other forms of media. Novelists, biographers, copywriters, screenwriters and playwrights all fall into this job classification. Writers may work for advertising agencies, news platforms, book publishers and other organizations; some work as freelancers.
Technical WriterMedian Annual Salary: $79,960Minimum Required Education: Bachelor's degreeJob Overview: Technical writers craft technical documents, such as training manuals and how-to guides. They are adept at simplifying technical information so lay people can easily understand it. Technical writers may work with technical staff, graphic designers, computer support specialists and software developers to create user-friendly finished pieces.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About a Master's in Creative Writing Is a master's in creative writing useful?If your goal is to launch a career as a writer, then yes, a master's in creative writing is useful. An MA in creative writing is a versatile degree that prepares you for various jobs requiring excellent writing skills.
Is an MFA better than an MA for creative writing?One is not better than the other; you should choose the one that best equips you for the career you want. An MFA prepares you to build a career as a professional writer or novelist. An MA prepares you for various jobs demanding high-level writing skills.
What kind of jobs can you get with a creative writing degree?A creative writing degree prepares you for many types of writing jobs. It helps you build your skills and gain expertise to work as an editor, writer, author, technical writer or journalist. This degree is also essential if you plan to teach writing classes at the college level.
A Writer's Best Friend
Nov. 24—Writing is a lonely pursuit. You're trapped inside the confines of your own mind by design, and the job is to get an idea that you've thought about into language the universal reader can appreciate. But you don't know who that universal reader is, and there are moments of doubt where you're not even sure that the thoughts you've put into the world are being read by anyone.
Dear reader, if you've gotten this far, I have a confession to make.
I read every single word in the nonfiction category of The Pasatiempo Writing Contest. We're talking more than 65 entries in this category, and with an average length of around 1,000 words. I've read enough pieces from our readers in the last month to publish an entire tome of nonfiction. Some entries, in fact, I read multiple times, just to make sure I liked them as much as I thought I did after the first reading.
I was there with you, riding the wave of your lives, digesting your most cherished family memories, and the most painful remembrances. I exulted at your triumphs and grieved along with your losses, and I admired your artistry and your courage along the way.
Now Spencer, you might be asking, what qualifies you to judge my writing in a contest?
I'm glad you asked. Admittedly, I am not a professor of literature or creative writing. But I am someone who has worked in the field of journalism for two decades, and I appreciate a story well told.
When I became a journalist, I signed a contract that I didn't understand at the time. My day job is to learn as much as I can about my interview subject, to cache enough information to have an interesting conversation, and to tell readers about the artist's perspective. When that's done, I have to move on to the next story, which doesn't always leave time to read for pleasure.
But in the course of narrowing down finalists in this writing contest, I've read more than I've read in quite some time.
There was very little that separated many of the finalist selections. They were artfully written, punctuated cleanly and crisply, and brought the reader on a journey with a defined arc to it. We had readers from different kinds of life experiences sharing stories from all over the world; Santa Fe was a recurring character in our submissions, but it didn't limit the writers' imaginations.
I also read pieces with a variety of writing structures. Some were direct and to the point, while others artfully took on the form of a letter to a relative or the feeling of a literary short story. And I read all the entries in a short span of time — and had my own writing and deadlines to meet at the same time. Writers were on the honor system to tell stories that were in fact nonfiction, and from what I can tell, nothing was out of bounds.
I'm breaking my own rules about writerly economy in this column, but what I want to impart to readers is that I came to this position merely a year ago, not really knowing much about my audience.
I've spent much of my working life in baseball stadium press boxes and clubhouses where the daily conversation, as you might imagine, is not about the output of Kurt Vonnegut. But now, after 11 months on the job and reading the work of a thoroughly invested community, I realize this: Pasa's readers are really good writers. And that's a sentence that feels really good to type.
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