Posts filed under Articles

A Beginner’s Guide to AWP (The Down & Dirty Edition)

The Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference was a couple weeks ago, and upwards of 11 (or 12 or 14, depending on who you spoke to) thousand writers, publishers and their ilk convened on Minneapolis for four days of literary…well, everything. Between panels, the book fair, off-site events, and AWP-sponsored dance parties, there was a little bit of everything.

That being said, an event like this is overwhelming and it isn’t just because most writers have some innate fear of large crowds brought on by the countless hours staring at a screen, alone, maybe in the dark. It can be overwhelming to even the most well-adjusted of us. 

So with that in mind, I present a few helpful tips on how to navigating AWP:

1. Find the free food and booze.

Traveling is expensive and as a student or a young writer, money isn’t necessarily coming in hot and heavy, so it’s important to know when and where you can get free food and booze during the convention. There’s plenty of it, you just need to know where to look. Use the AWP guide to read up on offsite events and follow writers and publishers on social media to see what they say as well. 

2. Know your hashtags.

The official hashtag for next year will be #AWP16, but there are others that writers avail themselves of during the event. Skim through twitter for a few minutes and you’ll come upon them. Flex your creative muscles and use hashtags like #AWPPickupLines and your followership will grow in no time.

3. Find the thruster.

If you went to AWP’s open bar events this year, you will know whom I’m talking about. This is not a practical tip as much as a way to derive pure entertainment out of your experience. At the dance parties at night there was a gentleman who really took to hip thrusting. To seemingly any song and with no one around. This won’t benefit your career, but it’ll be fun to watch if he’s there next year.

If you have food, booze, social media, you’ll be set. You’ll still get star struck when someone like Roxanne Gay or TC Boyle walks by, but with a little liquid courage or a free doughnut, but at least you’ll be able to tweet it after.

Be sure to also check out A Beginner’s Guide to AWP (The Practical Edition)!

About the Author

Sam Slaughter is the author of the chapbook When You Cross That Line (There Will Be Words, 2015) and the novel Dogs (Double Life Press, 2016). His other work has appeared in McSweeney's Internet Tendency, Midwestern Gothic, and Heavy Feather Review, among others. By day, he works as a copywriter for a lifestyle company. By night, he is the Book Review Editor for Atticus Review, a Fiction Editor with Black Heart Magazine, and a Contributing Editor with Entropy. He can be found on his website, www.samslaughterthewriter.com and on Twitter @slaughterwrites.

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Alyssa W. Christensen and filed under Articles, Featured Articles.

A Beginner’s Guide to AWP (The Practical Edition)

The Association of Writers and Writing Programs annual conference—this year held in Minneapolis—is, in short, a wonderful experience for writers, publishers, and anyone related to the industry of putting words in some sort of order for the benefit of his or herself and others. The conference is also chaotic, overwhelming, and can send even the most hearty writer into a tailspin of “My god why am I even here” and “I’m never going to be as good as X.”

This list, as compared to my previous piece on AWP, has some practical advice on how to tackle AWP head-on and come out of it, hopefully, wanting to come back (and not wanting to curl up in a ball in the corner of a dark room for a month).

1. Pack light (or pack another bag).

If you’re flying, pack light. You’re going to see 50+ books that you will want in addition to the 15 that you’ll be handed as you meander the aisles of the book fair. Make sure that you’ll have space for these books. Your guard will probably be down during the book fair and before you know it, you’re going to be trying to figure out how to lug 65 books home between a personal item and your carry-on luggage.

““If you’re flying, pack light. You’re going to see 50+ books that you will want in addition to the 15 that you’ll be handed as you meander the aisles of the book fair.””

2. Support indie lit.

In connection with the point above, go in knowing you’re going to buy X amount of books (3-5 is a nice number). Find the authors or the presses that you really love and buy from them. Many times, you’ll be able to get the author to sign the book as well (AWP has a handy guide for when author signings are). This not only helps support the indie lit community, but you get some awesome new books out of the deal.

3. Bring business cards.

Before you go, get business cards made up (Vistaprint is great and pretty cheap, but there are many sites out there and, often, you can find a good sale). Networking is a big part of AWP and, if you have business cards, you’ll be able to network that much easier. Make sure to have a few on you at all times—you never know who you’ll run into.

4. Pack your charger.

If you’re wandering around all day, you’re also likely to be using your phone. Bring your charger with you while you wander so that you don’t find yourself out at 8 p.m. in a city you don’t really know, without a phone (having an accountabilibuddy helps, as well and not just because the word is fun).

5. Get out there and talk.

I realize talking to strangers can produce crippling anxiety, I get that, but the book fair is great in that sense because, if you see someone behind a table, you can just go up to them and (simply) they can’t run away. It sounds terrible to say that way, but this is a great chance to talk with writers, editors of journals, and publishers, about their work, your work, et cetera. Don’t be forward about things (IwantyoutopublishmeprettypleasewhatdoIhavetodotomakethathappen?!) but also don’t be afraid, once you’ve established rapport, to talk with them about work. 

6. Embrace the awkward.

These conversations, for the most part, are going to be awkward. If you realize that now and embrace it, the entire ordeal will go a lot smoother. Don’t strive to make them uncomfortable, of course, but if you’re face to face with your literary idol, realize that they understand that you probably feel very, very awkward.

Be sure to also check out A Beginner’s Guide to AWP (The Down & Dirty Edition)!

About the Author

Sam Slaughter is the author of the chapbook When You Cross That Line (There Will Be Words, 2015) and the novel Dogs (Double Life Press, 2016). His other work has appeared in McSweeney's Internet Tendency, Midwestern Gothic, and Heavy Feather Review, among others. By day, he works as a copywriter for a lifestyle company. By night, he is the Book Review Editor for Atticus Review, a Fiction Editor with Black Heart Magazine, and a Contributing Editor with Entropy. He can be found on his website, www.samslaughterthewriter.com and on Twitter @slaughterwrites.

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Alyssa W. Christensen and filed under Articles, Featured Articles.

How to Navigate Your Job Search in 21 Days

The first year out of college can be a tough one for any graduate, not only those with English degrees! But rest assured, English majors: your skills are indeed practical and sought-after by many employers. We’re not saying that finding these awesome jobs will be easy, but there are PLENTY of things you can do to successfully navigate the job search process!

There are a few crucial tactics you need to know in order to make a smooth transition from studying Shakespeare and Steinbeck to full-time employment, and From Graduation to Career Ready in 21 Days: A Guide for English Majors will guide you every step of the way in 21 days. 

Each of the 21 days outlined in this book is packed with important information that will help you to stand out and set yourself up for success!

Week 1

We’re not gonna lie—Week 1 is intense. Do some yoga. Light a candle. Keep calm. Prepare yourself to work hard and kick some serious butt in the job search and application process. By the end of this week, you will have transformed from a brand new college graduate into a viable job candidate with the resume, portfolio, and wardrobe (yep, we go there!) to prove it. 

Here’s what this week looks like:

  • Day 1: Do your research. 
  • Day 2: Look the part. 
  • Day 3: Create a resume. 
  • Day 4: Collect your writing samples.
  • Day 5: Own your online presence.
  • Day 6: Create an online portfolio.
  • Day 7: Connect with alumni.

Week 2

Roll up your sleeves and make a cup of coffee (or two, or three…). Week 2 is filled with exciting stuff, and this is the week you’ll choose your first three jobs to actually apply for. By the end of this week, you’ll have resumes, cover letters and writing samples that have all been meticulously and thoughtfully tailored to the jobs at hand. Resist the urge to cut corners, and do your best to give this week 100%—not only are you trying to successfully land your first full-time job, but you’re practicing and honing skills that you’ll use for the rest of your professional life!

Here’s what this week looks like:

  • Day 8: Get organized.
  • Day 9: Choose the right jobs to apply for.
  • Day 10: Research the jobs you’re applying to. 
  • Day 11: Tailor your resume for Job #1.
  • Day 12: Learn how to write a cover letter. 
  • Day 13: Compile job application #2. 
  • Day 14: Compile job application #3.

Week 3

This week, we begin with officially submitting those three applications you’ve toiled away on. Take a moment to enjoy and appreciate what you’ve accomplished, but then it’s back to work! You’ll be preparing for interviews and learning how to make yourself a more appealing job candidate. 

Here’s what this week looks like:

  • Day 15: Hit the “submit” button and officially apply!
  • Day 16: Plan your follow-up strategy.
  • Day 17: Prepare for interviews.
  • Day 18: Practice answering interview questions.  
  • Day 19: Review the basics.
  • Day 20: Keep learning and bulk up your resume.
  • Day 21: Congratulations, new professional!

You worked super hard for four solid years to complete your English degree, and you deserve the chance to show off those hard-earned skills at a job you LOVE. You have what it takes. Are you ready?!

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Alyssa W. Christensen and filed under Articles, Featured Articles, Job Search Resources.

Celebrating One Year of Dear English Major!

This month marks the first anniversary of Dear English Major! Thank you very much to everyone who has contributed content, shared their experiences in an interview, and followed us online! 

We've added a couple of new features and resources to the site to make it more useful for English majors. See what's new: 

EXPLORE CAREERS

We've also added a new section to the website that focuses on specific professions. They're an ever-evolving work-in-progress!

FORUM

One of the new features we've added to the site is a forum where you can connect with other English majors, ask questions, and offer your own advice and insight. 

Meet the founder of DearEnglishMajor.com:

Alyssa Christensen, the founder of DearEnglishMajor.com, talks about the inspiration behind the website that's dedicated to showing English majors all that is possible with an English degree. Many thanks to Waka Waka Studios for putting together this awesome video! Check out more of their work at http://www.wakawakastudios.com.

READ MORE: 

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Alyssa W. Christensen and filed under Articles, Featured Articles.

Calling all English teachers and professors! We want your input.

While many English majors may be tired of hearing the age-old "So, are you going to be an English teacher?" question, many have the privilege to answer "Yes! Yes, I am going to be an English teacher."

Of course, having an English degree does not automatically qualify anyone to become an English teacher (but we're preaching to the choir here, aren't we?). Dear English Major would love to provide some insight to those who are interested in becoming English teachers, English professors, and educators from those who know best. 

We will be sharing a compilation of your experiences, advice and insight in an upcoming blog post on DearEnglishMajor.com. If you wish you share more about your experience of becoming an English teacher, please submit a separate inquiry on our CONTRIBUTE page. Thank you for encouraging and helping to inform aspiring teachers!

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Alyssa W. Christensen and filed under Articles, Teaching.

Why I Switched From a Computer Science Major to an English Major

Pst. Hey, you. Yeah, you—reader. I have something clichéd and important to tell you: follow your Moss Hart and Kurt Vonnegut (you see those puns there?)—make the switch to English.

The Major Less Traveled By

Everyone has dreams and aspirations of what they want to be. During my childhood years, I wanted to be a scientist, but once I hit high school, I wanted to be a psychologist. When I arrived at college, I was set on the psychology degree: I took my first psychology course the first semester of my freshman year in college, and being a psychologist immediately waned after that. After my first semester as a psychology major, I decided to switch to art and graphic design. I went through a semester with that, utterly full of contempt with my decision—art and graphic design is too niche for me, and I was not enjoying it to say the least. 

Having hit an inescapable roadblock, full of stifled self-discovery and creativity, I switched to computer science on the premise of money and job security, and did that for the two years that followed (from the beginning of my sophomore year to the end of my junior year). At the end of my junior year, though, despondency set in: I discovered that I was not going to graduate on time. My computer science advisor did an awful job at preparing me for the road to graduation—I was advising myself, really. Always having had a convivial and ardent relationship with English, I changed my major one final time to, you guessed it, English. After my experiences in college, I realized that I just wanted to walk away with a degree in something that I was passionate in—writing.

The Plight of English Majors

I am certain many of you readers are expecting some sort of heartwarming story of how a relative introduced me to works like Moby-Dick or The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; however, my story is less melodramatic. Growing up, specifically in my early teen years, I read many “complicated” literary works on my own from writers such as Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Dickinson, William Shakespeare, William Blake, and a few others. It was because of these writers that I started to write short stories and poetry in my early years, with the hopes of being published one day. 

Many of the works I read made me curious about an English degree, but I was always discouraged from pursuing it. Trying to figure myself out, I went on a “soul search” (if you will), aiming to accurately decipher what it is my heart and “soul” really wanted to do. Through my early schooling years, I won many awards on written proficiency, was asked to be a public spokesman for my high school, helped many students with their papers, and excelled exceptionally in all of my English classes; apparently, I was good with English. 

Since I had been writing since my early teen years, it only made sense to major in English, and to stop thinking that money was the key to happiness. Because English at my university is such a short degree, and I had taken some college courses during my high school years, I talked to the Chair of the English Department at my university and he said completing an English degree was feasible in two semesters. With that level of confidence and assurance from the Chair of the English Department, I plunged head first into the pool of words.

The Best Decision I’ve Ever Made (& Why)

In the brief time I have been an English major, I have had the time of my life. I am now at the end of my college years, and believe I made one of the greatest, yet most maudlin choices of my life: being an English major. I say “greatest" choice because it has allowed me to express myself in a way I never thought possible; it has sumptuously opened up so many doors to my mind, and introduced me to some of the greatest writers I have never known. I was always interested in English, but had never delved too deep into it. 

I say "most maudlin" choice because it was difficult switching from computer science, a profession that has (almost) guaranteed eminence, to English, an unpromising exertion. With the inherent creative nature of English though, I never felt incredulous or nervous to open my mouth and offer an opinion or interpretation in class discussions—English, in my opinion, never has a “right” or “wrong” answer, and that contemplation is compelling. 

For example: in a Survey of American Literature course I took, the ability to propose a differing opinion from the professor when it came to interpreting works was always available. In that class, we analyzed works by Allen Ginsberg, William Dean Howells, Langston Hughes, Kate Chopin, Robert Frost, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Ralph Ellison, Henry James and many, many others (I could go on for days). Because English is an interpretive medium, the professor (and students) willingly disagreed with each other without tantalizing or irascibly mocking each other. For this reason, I took fervent interest in the engaging discourse of English—I liked talking about things interpretively, and being able to have intelligible conversations in a logical way about things that might be illogical. Being interested in all things English (from the writing to the language to the words [etymology] to the literature), I found insouciant reprieve in its open-endedness. 

Sometimes “The Best Decision” is the Hardest

But, as I mentioned before, a somber tone incessantly followed me after I changed my major. 

Had I stuck with the computer science degree, I could have had a plethora of careers lined up for me with little to no effort: front-end or back-end development, systems analytics, software engineering, database management—the list could, quite literally, be endless. Nevertheless, I changed my major because I figured I would be unhappy with many of those job titles, and it would have taken me far too long to get into the field. Unfortunately, the many computer science professors I had did an awful job at teaching, and an innumerable amount of the concepts I learned were not sticking with me due to the way I was being taught. 

““Since I changed my major, I have gotten the perpetual countless stream of questions: “What are you going to do with that degree?” “Do you know that that degree is useless in the coming economy?” “Are you going to teach?” “So, you’re going back to school for another degree, right?” And so on.””

Since I changed my major, I have gotten the perpetual countless stream of questions: “What are you going to do with that degree?” “Do you know that that degree is useless in the coming economy?” “Are you going to teach?” “So, you’re going back to school for another degree, right?” And so on. Discouragement filled my mind to the brim, overflowing, like a darkness surrounding the forest—I could not escape my own thoughts of feeling like a completely and totally paltry man with a degree that might be barren. Despite looking far and wide, I have found many options for my English degree, but none quite quenched my insatiable thirst to feel invigorated. So I began writing for a video game blog and quickly discovered that that is what I want to do—interpret and review entertainment (video games, films, tv, music, etc.).

Albeit melancholia has followed me after I made the choice, I am glad that I made the choice. It is arduous to say that with conviction sometimes—I get trapped in my mind, in the ongoing onslaught of advertisements for degrees that are seen as “worthwhile” and wonder, “Why did I change my major? What did I do? Will I amount to anything? Am I actually going to ‘make it’?” This has prompted a brooding cloud to accompany me, reminding me in persistence that I may have made the wrong choice. Though I think these thoughts, I quickly recollect myself and proudly say, “I am overjoyed with being an English major because I am, in all honestly and actuality, happy with what I am doing and what I’ll be able to do—even though I am not certain I will immediately be able to get into the field I want.” Melancholia has followed me since I made the choice, but true and honest happiness trails closely behind.

To Follow One’s Passion is Self-Liberating

Changing my major on several different occasions had me feeling depressed, but when I finally landed on English, I was able to discover more about myself. In that self-discovery, I have learned to be pleased with my choice of English as a major, and be proud of it and everything I have done thus far. There are many reasons why I am glad to be an English major. 

Here are a few of my personal reasons why:

  • I feel like I have found my true self (or, as true to myself as possible, as I'm still young). What I mean is, in my heart, I should have (perhaps) always been an English major. When I was younger, reading Poe and Shakespeare, I said to myself that I wanted to get into English, and try to publish one day. Even when I was a computer science major, I decided that I wanted to go back to school for an English degree—English has always been inherent for me, and I am no longer lying to myself, picking a degree that I believe will garner me the most income, but bring about the greatest amount of personal sadness.
  • If I never made the choice to be an English major, I would have never read (and enjoyed) some of the classics such as The Great Gatsby, Great Expectations, Sula, 1984, Death of a Salesman, Howl, The Awakening—and so on. Though I did not discover my favorite works of literature this way (Edgar Allan Poe still stands as my favorite poet), I have learned to appreciate different writing styles, which has helped me further develop my own writing voice. Needless to say being an English major has prompted me to read more rigorously and closely in the one semester than I have in my entire life thus far, and I am thoroughly enjoying that. None of the works I have read changed my life per se, but they have given me new perspective on things, and assisted in my understanding of the world around me in times when I was not born (especially The Great Gatsby—man, what a novel).
  • Because of English, I have been able to have comprehensible and coherently unbiased conversations about things in such an intellectual way. This is all thanks to English: the concepts I have studied and learned, the many papers I have written, and the exegesis and colloquial conversations I have had in class. In studying English, I have learned how to more effectively communicate: perhaps the greatest skill I can apply in the “real world.” Through everything I have studied, many concepts have stuck in my mind, and I can quickly call upon them like the force: able to choke, push, or shock any person in a conversation to make my point more valid (...none of that literally, of course). Knowing how to communicate in a way that is transparent and unambiguous is the most important lesson that English ends up teaching, and, because of this fact, I have become a better speaker.

Because of all this, I intend to continue my English education, and go to graduate school (at some point) for a MFA in Creative Writing (or something English related). Even now, I frequently study the craft of writing from furthering my understanding of grammar and syntax to trying to pick up a hobby in literary criticism and theory. Being an English major is more of a positive than a negative: my vernacular changed; grammar more verbose (which could be a bad thing [laughs]); writing more prolific; logic more cohesive—everything about my speech has become more grandiose than it already was, and that is a very invigorating thing. 

Studying the craft of writing is a very enriching: as with any hobby or passion, it opens the mind and frees the soul (just another cliché thing that may, in fact, be true). I love understanding the way punctuation is supposed to work because it helps my communication, a skill that all businesses and companies look for. Because of this, I believe that English is a very employable degree—even if you, or your family and friends, don’t believe so. 

After Graduation

In reality, the next steps for me is to continue writing. At this current moment, I have two personal blogs, and I am an editor of two other blogs (8BitChimp and TheMashUp). Because of my knowledge with blogging and understanding of that atmosphere, I intend to continue that profession—admittedly, I don’t get paid right now, as I am still a full-time student. To be more concrete with my future goals, I want to write for an entertainment website/company known as IGN (formerly Imagine Gaming Network), and work on getting something published. 

Do It!

““There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” -Maya Angelou”

I understand many people's apprehension of becoming an English major, but I want say that the English degree has a lot to offer. Moral of the story: Do not be afraid to follow your heart and become an English major—it can teach you a lot of things, especially how to effectively and understandably communicate. To all aspiring English majors, those who are curious about English or contemplating about making the switch to English, my advise to you is simple: Do it! Make the switch—it is extremely rewarding. As Maya Angelou once said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

About the Author

Jeremy Winslow is a full-time student in the final semester of his senior year at Notre Dame de Namur University (majoring in English and minoring in Computer Science and Business), and an editor of a few blogs including 8BitChimp and TheMashUp; he is based in the Bay Area, but from Sacramento, CA. Though being a student takes most of his time, he does his best to manage his time with the myriad of potential projects he has going on. Apart from being a fervent wordsmith and pensive writer, he is also an emphatic tech nut—he enjoys technology, and keeps up with the latest trends in the tech world. When he is not studying or slaving over some obnoxiously massive paper, he is usually writing some sort of non-fiction (poetry or prose), biking, playing guitar or video games, reading anything and everything, programming/coding, or watching a film (yes, film—not movie). Aside from 8BitChimp and TheMashUp, you can keep up with Jeremy on Facebook and Twitter.

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Posted on January 27, 2015 by Alyssa W. Christensen and filed under Articles, Featured Articles, English Major Stories.

6 Ways to Write for Yourself When You're Busy Writing for Everyone Else

A little while ago, I wrote a piece about how working in the service industry could help make you a better writer. At the time, I was working in the service industry. Now, though, I’ve transitioned into a job that pays me to write (a weird thing for me, considering it hasn’t really happened before). That being said, I’ve had to learn to how find time to work on my creative pieces while still having the mental energy to sit in front of a computer eight hours a day and work on the projects I’m assigned.

I’ve come up with a few things that have worked for me and, hopefully, will work for you too, if you’re looking to find ways to keep creative writing in your life when you’re being paid to write for others.

1. Schedule, Schedule, Schedule

The biggest thing for me—and something I’ve only come around to in the last year or so, ignoring the fact I’ve been hearing this for years now—is keeping a schedule. Every morning before work I force myself to get up and read or write or work in some capacity on whatever project is currently sitting on top of the pile. Sometimes that is a book review and sometimes it’s a short fiction piece (or in this case, a post for Dear English Major).

I honestly hate getting up earlier than I have to, but I make myself do it and, just like working out, I feel better after. I’m allowed to dump whatever work has been kicking around in my head, clearing space for the workday ahead. It’s almost never easy, but it’s necessary.

  • Discipline, or sometimes a lack thereof – A point to further that is the need to develop discipline (and learn when to forego it). Keeping yourself honest and disciplined in this process will help immensely. Even when I don’t want to, I drag myself to my desk, turn on some music and put the coffee on. I’d much rather still be in bed, but through the discipline I’ve been able to accomplish projects that would’ve otherwise sat dormant for months. There are times, though, that are cause for breaking discipline. Sickness, obviously, is something to pay attention to. If you’re ordered to rest, then rest. It isn’t noble to ignore doctor’s orders in such a way. You’ll only screw yourself over later on because the sickness/pain/whatever will linger. So if you need rest, rest.

2. Set Goals

It’s January, the time when everyone sets goals that are promptly left abandoned on the side of the road like cigarette butts by early February. Being a writer is no different. Setting goals helps with the discipline. If you know you’ve got certain heights to reach, it’s better to know where and how high those heights are. It’s also important to set shorter-term goals (in academia, SMART goals) so that you can keep going on a day-to-day basis.

For me, I shoot for around 500 words a day on days that I write (there are days that I only read, as well, and on those I shoot to read at least 100 pages). Most of the time I’m good with hitting these goals. Sometimes I don’t and I’ve learned not to beat myself up over it. An image I keep in my head constantly is a description that comes out of George Plimpton’s interview with Ernest Hemingway in The Paris Review:

"He keeps track of his daily progress—“so as not to kid myself”—on a large chart made out of the side of a cardboard packing case and set up against the wall under the nose of a mounted gazelle head. The numbers on the chart showing the daily output of words differ from 450, 575, 462, 1250, back to 512, the higher figures on days Hemingway puts in extra work so he won’t feel guilty spending the following day fishing on the Gulf Stream."

If Hemingway is okay not doing the same number every day, so am I. Many writers aren’t, but you need to experiment and see what kind you are before making any rash decisions on self-flagellation for blowing a goal on a given day.

3. Accountability (or if you watch South Park, have an Accountabilibuddy) 

Invoking an episode of South Park may not be the best lead-in to this point, but bear with me. It’s hard for me to get stuff done when I don’t have someone berating me about it. The motivation is not always there to follow-through on a project when it comes to creative work. This is where I find someone to hold me accountable. Another writer works great. He or she can hold you accountable and vice versa for finishing a project in a pre-determined amount of time, et cetera.

If nothing else, this person can function as a sounding board for story ideas. It’s good to have one or two friends who you can trust to not only keep your ass in line, so to speak, but who you can trust to offer honest opinions and constructive criticism on pieces when, more than likely, they shouldn’t yet see the light of day.

4. Read & Read Some More

This one shouldn’t really be a surprise, but you don’t get to be a better writer by only writing. You need to read, too, and probably read more than you write. In this case, taking some time you would use to write and using it to read is also a good thing to do, as you’re continually exposing yourself to new types of literature. In the same vein, read widely. Classics are great, as are contemporary works, as are works written by writers not from the United States as are…you get the point.

You may not like everything you read—let’s be real, you more than likely won’t, and you’ll probably hate a good amount of it—but if you don’t read it, you won’t know what you want to write and what you don’t want to write (and to push that further how and how not to write what you want to write).

Being involved in a literary magazine or something like that helps, too, because you get to read both good and bad writing (again showing how and how not to write). I guess what I’m saying is, read more than you write. When you train for a marathon, you don’t only run long distances every day. You run short, you run long, you do sprints, you do weight training, you change your diet. You do a lot of different things. Writing is no different.

5. Keep a Notebook Handy

There are moments throughout the day that someone will say something and something in your brain will go “I need that. I must have that. I must use that.” For those instances, keep a notebook handy. Or note cards. Something, as long as you can write on it. I use a mix of scraps of paper, note cards, and a steno book. At the end of the day, I’ll take whatever scraps I’ve accumulated (usually two or three per day) and toss them into a shoebox that I keep under my desk at home. The box is the accumulation of a couple months worth of ideas and I go back to it often, looking for something to mine. Stay observant and write things down. If you don’t get to a sustained period of writing in a given day, you can take solace in the fact that you’ve scribbled a few lines down to use later.

6. Embrace the Unknown

I’ve been surprised countless times at the direction my day takes sometimes. Be open to that. If you get so locked into your schedule and discipline, you’re going to miss a lot. This is counterintuitive to much of what I’ve already said, I know, but that’s okay. Like a lot of writing advice, mine ends with the caveat that all my advice is subject to change. If it changes, that’s okay. Follow the change and have that notebook ready.

About the Author

Sam Slaughter is a writer based in Central Florida. He's worked a variety of jobs in his life from grave digger to professional beer brewer, but currently gets paid to be a copywriter for a health and wellness company. He's had fiction and nonfiction published and serves as a Contributing Editor at Entropy and the Book Review Editor at Atticus Review. He was voted the Best of There Will Be Words 2014 and his debut chapbook When You Cross That Line will be published in 2015. He can be found on Twitter @slaughterwrites or on his website: www.samslaughterthewriter.com.

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Posted on January 20, 2015 by Alyssa W. Christensen and filed under Articles, Blogging, Freelance, Featured Articles.

A 7-Step Guide to Your Final Semester as an English Major

Winter break is over, and the final countdown is here. By now, you’re probably used to being peppered with questions from just about everyone: “What are you going to do when you graduate?” “What on earth will you do with an English major?” “So you want to be a teacher?”

Depending on your career aspirations, everyone’s post-grad game plan is going to look a little different. But let’s say you’re going to graduate this upcoming spring and head into the job-search trenches to start pounding the pavement. Where do you even start?!

Don’t wait until after you graduate to set things in motion! Hopefully you’ve already started figuring out how you’ll stand out in the job market, but there’s a lot you can do NOW and over your last semester to make a huge difference in your immediate post-grad success, employment prospects and stress levels.

Here are a few key points to guide you through your final semester of college:

1. Create a resume, or put the final touches on an existing one. 

Take stock of what you’ve done over the last four years of college, from extracurriculars and jobs, to scholarships and awards. While you’ll surely revise, edit and tailor your resume to each job you apply for, getting yourself lookin’ good on paper is a great (and manageable) place to start. 

2. Research internships and jobs.

It’s easier said than done, but sometimes you have to jump in head first. What if you don’t even know what kind of a career you’re interested in?

A practical place to get started is searching for positions that are open in the city you'll be living in after graduation. We recommend checking out job search sites like Indeed.com, SimplyHired.com, LinkedIn, and a job board your college may offer. Start with a general search for what you’re interested in: “writer,” “content manager,” “social media,” “publishing,” etc. Click on some jobs you may not have considered before (or even knew existed) and read their descriptions—some are sure to sound terrible, and some will sound awesome and inspire you to start writing a cover letter.

We also recommend taking some time to explore Dear English Major. Read about the real experiences of your fellow English majors and go out on a limb and reach out to a few of them!

3. Make sure you have compiled a portfolio of your work. 

If the job you’re applying for involves writing, usually employers will want you to submit a few writing samples along with your resume and cover letter. It can be a pain to have to dig around for a new writing sample every time you apply somewhere, so keep a folder on your desktop filled with go-to samples of your best work. Even better, showcase some of it in an online portfolio that you can direct people to when applicable. (Here’s 13 things to keep in mind as you build your professional website and online portfolio.)

4. Spruce up your online presence. 

In addition to possibly creating a professional website that features an online portfolio, you’ll want to make sure that you have an up-to-date LinkedIn profile. Have a fellow English major proofread it, and make sure you have a professional photo uploaded! Don’t have a clear, recent photo of yourself? Then it’s time to get one! First impressions last.

Now is also a good time to clean up anything online that you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see, whether it’s questionable content on Facebook or deleting an old blog.

5. Visit your school’s career center.  

If you’ve never visited your college’s career center, then there is no time like the present! Share what careers interest you, ask for recommendations, and have someone look over your resume and cover letter. See if they can help you reach out to any alumni or other connections in the community. It’s what they’re there for!

6. Reach out to alumni. 

Your school may have a career center or a helpful section of their website that will help you contact alumni who might have job leads, advice, and insight into any given field. You’re probably sick about hearing how you’re supposed to network, network, network, but it’s true! 

Tip: If someone refers you to their employer and you end up getting hired because of it, your connection might be offered a bonus! You could actually help someone make some extra dough, so it may certainly be worth their time to help you if you look like a promising candidate.
 

7. And finally… apply to internships and jobs!

Don’t let designing your website or obsessing over perfecting your resume distract you from your real goal: gainful employment! Select a few job postings that look promising and go for it. Keep track of what you apply to in a spreadsheet, and be sure to take the time to tailor your resume and cover letter to each opportunity. (Check out our free guide on how to tailor your resume!)

It can take weeks and even months to hear back from jobs you apply for, and sometimes you won’t hear back at all. And while sometimes employers need someone on the job ASAP, the interviewing process can also be a long ordeal of phone and in-person interviews. (Wow, that was depressing.) But it will be so worth it once you land the job, and you’ll be thankful that you took the initiative to prepare for your post-grad life ahead of time!

Ready to dive in? From Graduation to Career Ready in 21 Days: A Guide for English Majors shows you exactly how to successfully navigate the job search process in 21 days.

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Posted on January 4, 2015 by Alyssa W. Christensen and filed under Articles, Featured Articles.