Seeking Advice or Just Sharing My Story

[Alfir]

Hey everyone,

I don’t really know why I’m posting this—maybe I’m looking for advice, maybe I just need to get it off my chest. Either way, here’s my situation.

I’m from a third-world country and about to finish my accounting degree in one more semester. But recently, after years of struggling, I finally found success writing web novels. Thanks to my readers and their support on Patreon, I now have enough money to enroll in a Creative Writing course at a respected university.

In my country, that’s a big deal—both the university’s reputation and the cost. Creative Writing isn’t widely valued here, to the point where my high school even dissolved the program and merged it with other arts to the point it was forgotten. Choosing CW over other arts or degree feels like a reckless, even insane, choice for someone from a low-income background. But writing is the only thing that has ever truly clicked for me.

I was a part of a special program in journalism during junior high, took the STEM track in senior high, and went into accounting in college—all practical choices, none of which I ever loved. Meanwhile, my family has struggled with poverty, and I know I’ve added to their burden. My dad is an accountant, and every time I see him, I feel guilty for not wanting to follow the path he took. I’ve been slacking on my internship and delaying enrollment, not out of laziness, but because I don’t want to spend my life in an office doing something I hate. It was wrong and I hated myself for it.

And then it hit me—why not use the money I earned from writing to study Creative Writing? It felt like an impossible dream, but now, for the first time, it’s within reach. The problem? Tuition is so expensive that my Patreon earnings would be drained quickly.

So now I’m stuck between two choices:

Take a leap of faith into Creative Writing, knowing it’s financially and all kinds of risky but something I actually love.

Let go of Creative Writing, knowing it was practical and would allow me and my family an easier and more tolerable lifestyle.

So, if I don’t pursue Creative Writing, I’d probably have a stable income, maybe even build up savings even as a full-time writer without a degree. Logically, that seems like the smart thing to do. But something inside me keeps pushing for Creative Writing—maybe it’s my ego wanting to prove something, to show that I didn’t just stumble into webnovel success but actually earned a degree in it. Imagine a future reunion where I don’t just say, "Hey, I’m a webnovelist, and I make this much money," but instead, "I graduated from this university, I have a Master’s in Creative Writing."

There’s also the undeniable value of what I’d gain—actual skills, guidance from professors, and strong connections. The universities I have in mind supposedly have those, though I don’t have firsthand proof. Still, it feels like a real opportunity, not just a dream.

On the flip side, if I don’t go for CW, I could use my money to help my family. I’m the eldest sibling, and that responsibility weighs on me. Paying bills, supporting my parents and siblings—it’s not just a duty, but something I want to do. Of course, my parents insisted I didn’t have to think about those things, but it was inevitable that I would think about those things.

So, what’s my issue? I just feel... complicated.

My parents want me to become a CPA, but deep down, I know I can’t. I lack the practice, the mindset, and honestly, the passion. Every time I should have been solving practice problems, I was writing webnovels instead. It was my rebellion, my escape, my real passion.

I still remember the day I graduated high school, whining to my dad that I didn’t want to go to college, that he should just support me while I wrote novels because I was confident I could out-earn his salary. I was naive, stupid, and reckless. He told me as much. And he was right. How dare me? I didn’t even think what my dad would have felt after hearing something like that and how now I’ve actually achieved it. Even to this day, I felt regret over saying such things I just complied with what my parents wished and the practicality of it all. But that voice in the back of my mind—the one that wanted to take the leap—never went away.

Now, years later, the opportunity to study Creative Writing is actually in front of me. My dad respects my choices, but I know he still secretly hopes I’ll take the CPA exam and fulfill part of his dream. And I love him, but I also know I was never meant to be an accountant.

So that’s my story. I guess I just wanted to share this after my overly enthusiastic walk to school, realizing that my Dean of Accounting has been ignoring my emails (which, knowing me, I’m probably blaming myself for). It was depressing.

Maybe I just wanted advice. Maybe I just wanted to hear if anyone else has faced something similar.

Either way, thanks for reading my little saga of how I (almost?) became a writer.

 

[Arch9CivilReactor]

All I can say is safety nets must be prepared beforehand if you’re taking a leap of faith. Do not regret cutting opportunities that could’ve made you better off, but don’t be overly concerned about failure.

Writing skills can build even without being taught specifically, but other opportunities are once in a lifetime. I’ve made many life decisions without proper preparation for what they lead to. I hope you won’t be the same as me when it comes to that.

 

[AmbreaTaddy]

Honestly, the advice I want to give you is to go for it because you only live once, but it's not a good advice if you want to support your family. Let me explain :

I was exactly like you in my young days, wanting to support my family etc... And ended up working practical jobs I didn't like. After a few years I ended up having a really bad brunout and was forced to take a leave of absence from my job. But the burnout was so bad it had physical repercussions on my health so I had to see a doctor for it, and by coincidence they found out I had a brain tumor. It was a bad one, the type you can't heal, and they announced that I only had a few years left.

Suddenly it hit me : What would happen if I were to go in this state ? Was I really happy with disappearing without ever doing what I liked and what I wanted ? Did I really want to leave this world burnt out and miserable ? Of course not. So I made a bucket list, quit my job, and started writing and drawing, doing the things I always wanted to do. In the end, turned out it was a mistake and they had read the wrong file, I didn't have a brain tumor so I quit my job for nothing, but I didn't regret it because I'm so much happier right now.

However, I'm dirt poor and I barely sustain myself (not even talking about my family, I can't send a single cent) but they support me because I'm happy. So yeah, I guess it depends on your priority.

 

[Placeholder]

> enroll in a Creative Writing course at a respected university.

Check that they address scifi/fantasy.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

The best bet is to view writing as a side gig, something to do in your spare time, and work to support your family UNLESS the writing suddenly takes off enough to drop the rest of your work and focus on it. Granted, that system has only gotten me about three months' pay equivalent (over 40 years) from writing but still, it allows you to do both.
Otherwise, talk to your family and see what kind of support you can get there, how much they really need you to earn, and go from that.

 

[Llamadragon]

You need to start by investigating what exactly this dream college of yours would offer you.

In the creative world, not every college - not even every expensive and prestigious college - will be worth your time. I don't know about the wring world, but in the world of visual art education, many, many very expensive educations are basically just how rich kids take sabbaticals and make connections. They learn mumbo jumbo about expressing themselves on canvas. Which is fun, but when they graduate they have learned nothing about how to actually support themselves as an artist in the working world. Even after a year or three of these courses, those graduates simply couldn't walk into a studio and apply for a job because art fundamentals was never the point of their education. People graduate with tens of thousands of dollars in debt, and leave without the skills that could let them make a living.

Not every course is like that. But creatives are very vulnerable to this type of bullshit because there's no objective standard of 'quality' for creative endeavors. It's not like math, where you can objectively measure how much the student has learned by putting a test in front of them.

So do your research. Look at their curriculum critically. Make sure the course your looking at is not merely a course for writers, but a course for authors. By that I mean, don't join a course aimed at hobbyists. You want a course that will teach you a profession. A craft. Does it teach you the necessary skills to run a business? Because as a professional author, you will be running a business. Do they teach you about finances? Marketing? The ins and outs of publishing? Who are the teachers? Are they successful writers themselves? What have they written and how well did they do in the field? Are they successful authors, or are they teachers because they lack the skill to be authors?

Do they actually teach you to write well, with skill? Or is the course mostly just a networking platform for rich kids to bond and make friends over a shared hobby? Are there cheaper writing courses, like some community college equivalent, that may be less prestigious but also a downright better education?

Step one: Don't get conned.

But also, consider just waiting. I mean, you're making money right now, aren't you? Depending on the amount you make, why not just keep at it and see how much you can make before you commit to something like a college education? Maybe in a year or two, money won't be so tight anymore, and you won't have to choose between supporting your family and getting your dream education. In the meanwhile, you could attend cheaper community college (or your local equivalent) to better learn the craft and network with other local writers without as much of a hit to your finances.

 

[EverenVale]

Hey, thank you for sharing this. Honestly, your post gave me goosebumps... It’s incredibly brave of you to be so open about something so complicated and personal. As someone who also comes from a third-world country and understands how heavy the pressure to “be practical” is, I want to say this upfront: you’re not alone. What you’re feeling is valid, and what you’ve accomplished already is incredible.

Let me just pause and say: you’ve already won in so many ways. You found a passion that clicked. You found an audience. You’ve earned money doing what you love. That’s not luck or ego. It’s skill, perseverance, and voice. You should be proud of that.

Now, about your crossroads…

? The Degree vs. The Dream
A Creative Writing degree can give you valuable tools, mentorship, and networks. But it won’t make you more of a writer than you already are. You’ve proven you’re a writer. The degree won’t change that fact. It’ll just help refine and maybe open new doors. That said, it’s not the only way to grow.
So here’s a thought: What if you reframe your choices?
Not as “go all-in on CW or forget it,” but as: ? “How can I support my growth as a writer while honoring my reality and my family?”
Would part-time study work? Could you take short creative writing workshops instead of a full course and save some of your Patreon income for your family or your future security?
It’s not about compromising your dream... It’s about sustaining it.

? Long-Term Success vs. Short-Term Burnout
If you drain all your earnings right now for a course, you might burn out under the weight of financial stress. But if you find a path that allows both creative growth and financial breathing room, you give yourself the chance to build something sustainable. That’s how you keep writing long-term—not in spite of your reality, but with it.

? About Your Family
You clearly love your family, and you want to help them—that shines through everything you wrote. And I believe you can. Maybe not all at once, maybe not through accounting, but through the career path you make.
Your dad may have hoped you’d be a CPA, but even more than that, I bet he wants you to be okay, to be safe, and to be proud of yourself. Maybe you’ve hurt each other in small ways through miscommunication, but it sounds like the respect is still there. You don’t have to live out his dream to be a good child. You just have to live yours honorably. Unfortunately, that's something I learned in the last several months of my father's life. But maybe for you, it can be different.

? Final Thought
If your heart is pushing you toward Creative Writing, listen. But don’t feel like you have to prove anything with a fancy degree. Your success, your stories, your readers? They’re already proof.
You’re already living the dream many of us are still chasing. The question now is: How do you want to evolve it?

Whatever you choose, make it your path. And don’t forget: you’re already a writer. Degree or no degree.

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

I would give you advice, but then, I also gave up on writing and drawing, so I'l just say, stay strong.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

@Envylope We need your advice here.

 

[Akaichi]

Don't study writing in collage. unless you plan to work as an editor or in a publishing house it is pretty much useless and you can learn much more by doing it and reading books. You can watch Brandon Sanderson's course online.
In fact, that same question was posed in one of his lectures, and his answer was that you really don't need it. He has a degree in chemistry or something... I myself has a degree in architecture.

Go for the accounting degree, the chances of really making a good living with writing is not big and sometime it takes years for a book to become popular. You should always have a backup plan.

You can't write on empty stomach.

 

[CarburetorThompson]

If you are making money from Patreon I see no need to do a creative writing course. It means you already have the skills required to be successful . You are already a student, and writing. So what makes you think you won’t be able to write alongside doing an accounting job? If I were you I’d look for a career job and supplement your income with patreon money..

I don’t know which country you are from but if you are able to target English speaking readers in the US you can leverage the purchasing parity between your currency and usd. It may not make as much as you could in a proper job, or if you dedicated full time to writing, but assuming you write in English and have English patrons, you can get a constant stream of revenue in powerful reserve currencies like the US dollar.

Unless you plan to be an author based in your native country, which likely be less effective in selling light novels to English speakers, there isn’t really a need to do a writing course. You do a writing course if you want to get published, but being outside of the US and UK you’re gonna face a major up hill battle trying to get published. Especially because even for western light novel authors in the US it is still much more difficult to get light novels published than somewhere like Korea or JP

 

[Alfir]

I don’t know which country you are from but if you are able to target English speaking readers in the US you can leverage the purchasing parity between your currency and usd. It may not make as much as you could in a proper job, or if you dedicated full time to writing, but assuming you write in English and have English patrons, you can get a constant stream of revenue in powerful reserve currencies like the US dollar.

Yeah, about that... I'll be making at least four times the amount of average salary and the number would only go up. Goes to show how poor my country was hahaha.

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

Yeah, about that... I'll be making at least four times the amount of average salary and the number would only go up. Goes to show how poor my country was hahaha.

Philippines?

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Ok, while envy is slumbering, I will add my five cents. First, about envy herself. She is in uni, creative writing. Before she got there, she was writing on SH and so on. She will be able to tell you if it's worth it or not with more accuracy.

My opinion is basically the same as Carburetor's. If you already earn from writing, you have zero reasons to go study creative writing. The only reason is to have a chance of getting to know right people. Even if you get lucky, that won't necesserily get you into writing what you want. You will write what publishers want. If this and that coincide, and you want to write what publishers want, you might take that chance. If you want to write something closer to a web novel or JP-like LN, you shouldn't even bother.

Lastly, if you think of earning through writing, you might as well check WN. It's the same as writing for publishers, in a sense that you won't write what you want, only far more sketchy. But hey, if you can handle the risk, maybe you can earn money that way.

So yeah, if you want to earn money through writing, in my opinion, you should continue writing. Maybe study some marketing and expand to other sites, such as WN or RR. I don't think creative writing will be able to improve your writing skills. You will change your wrtiing to fit what publishers want instead of readers on sites that host web novels. There is exaggeration in my words, you actually might learn something new. I don't think it is worth your money and time, that what I mean.

 

[CarburetorThompson]

Yeah, about that... I'll be making at least four times the amount of average salary and the number would only go up. Goes to show how poor my country was hahaha.

Still even if the money is bad compared to what you can get on patreon I’d still suggest you try to do a job first. There are tangible benefits associated with a job that you wouldn’t be able to get as a full time writer working for an audience half the world away.

No matter what country you’re in a job can be a source of networking and personal connections to your community. These are all things that will support you later in life. Besides that friendships and other interpersonal relationships are often found at work.

On top of that light novels and web novels are a relatively new form of art media. Because it is a newer genre we do not yet know how it will respond to changes in the future. Ai may alter it irrevocably, or the audience size may reach carrying capacity and no new fans will be generated.

In a total worst case scenario you after doing patreon full time for a couple years, are now unable to support yourself off of it. Now you have a degree, but a hole of several years in your resume with no applicable business or accounting work. Other people your age will already have job experience and you will be forced to compete with them for positions.

This is in all a worst case scenario, but that is something that needs to be considered. With a source of usd money you’ll be in a better position a lot of your countrymen, but more stable, doesn’t mean it can‘t be unstable, and whilst I’ll be vague to avoid talking politically, a lot of analysts predictthe US stock market to be showing early signs of recession.

tldr: You should still find a career job to expand your world view, make connections and friends, and have a safety net incase patreon becomes unviable

 

[Alfir]

Philippines?

Yeah... and I know you are a Filipino too. Funny thing, I know a Hans.

Thanks a lot to everyone. I appreciate the responses. They have been enlightening and helped me not making any reckless decision.

 

[Tempokai]

The reason people go to creative writing or similar is when they suck at creative writing. Second reason is for connections to the local market of reporters or script writers. Those two are the main reason such classes exist. Sure, I could've understood if you was some rich kid with money to burn and you wanted just exert power effortlessly afterwards, this would've been an easy choice. But you aren't.

First, you write for English speaking audience. Webnovels, the lowest quality media out there that has greatest gems out there. You don't need PhD in Creative Writing to write that.

Second, why the hell do you need connections with local folks in Philippines if you want to write for everyone including those people and PAY for that? That's the most stupid thing you could do as a broke ass student. Just because people say you need fancy paperwork to write something doesn't mean that it actually will work that way.

Money earning way FTW.

 

[Hans.Trondheim]

Yeah... and I know you are a Filipino too. Funny thing, I know a Hans.

Thanks a lot to everyone. I appreciate the responses. They have been enlightening and helped me not making any reckless decision.

Hans...is just my pen name. My real name is more Hispanic sounding. I'll eventually let go of 'Hans Trondheim' once I moved on after giving up my writing and drawing dreams.

Coz yeah, though it's been days after I decided to stop, there is this feeling within me that wants to get back. And really, I feel like I'm literally killing a child with how I avoid returning to these things I was passionate about.

Second, why the hell do you need connections with local folks in Philippines if you want to write for everyone including those people and PAY for that? That's the most stupid thing you could do as a broke ass student. Just because people say you need fancy paperwork to write something doesn't mean that it actually will work that way.

Yeah, that's how it is back here, Temps. Once, I joined a Flip writing group, and tried to enter their exclusive circle. But, because I'm someone outside with no 'popular' friends inside their group, I was treated like shit. I'm sure @Ron-Ran knows what I'm talking about here as well.

I also know a lot of local writers who are 'successful' here, partly because their works got the 'attention' due to having connections in a lot of writing/creative circles and publishing houses.

Or they have former classmates from the elite universities here.

 

[Deleted member 84247]

I started a creative writing degree, and it ended up being the biggest waste of time. All of those hours I spent studying and reading for useless classes, I could have spent writing. Either that, or I could have spent them learning information online from people like myself. If you're good enough to write and earn a comfortable living wage, there is no need to waste money going to college.

Save that money you would have spent in college. Save the time you would have spent studying. Use your new free time to learn about the writing market. If you understand how to make money in webnovels, you can do it easily. Yes, even if you end up having to take a contract, you can do it. The first month I took a contract on an alt account, I was able to earn 1,200 USD.

There are other people who can earn even more, but the point is, you have to be smart. You have to understand what is going to sell and what won't. If you are one of those writers with niche ideas and unwilling to compromise on anything, then you should definitely consider a safety net. In the end, this is a problem of risk management.

Do you want a financially stable job that's easy to understand and just do writing on the side? If that's what you want, you can do the accounting degree. By doing this, you will lose valuable time you could have spent on learning other aspects of writing. If you're going to actually stick to writing and you have the discipline to do anything, then you should just write.

Note, it is VERY risky to do no safety net. I am somewhat lucky and have the safety net of passive income that allows me to pursue writing. Even if I was not able to make livable profit for a year, my safety net already exists. But also note, your family can be a safety net if they're understanding.

If you truly abhor the idea of college, give your family a time limit. Say to them something like, "I will have a living wage in 6 months (adjust time if necessary). If I don't have one by then, I will start the accounting degree." Once you make this promise, you need to invest time into learning not just writing but how to make money at it.

 

[Alfir]

I also know a lot of local writers who are 'successful' here, partly because their works got the 'attention' due to having connections in a lot of writing/creative circles and publishing houses.

So true. The arts have always been a tough field, not just because of the craft itself but because of how society treats it. Here, success isn’t always about skill—it’s about who you know, what circles you’re in, and what backing you have. And even then, a writer will always be seen as “less” compared to a doctor, lawyer, or engineer.

Education here is all about prestige, not necessarily what you actually learn. People care more about the title than the skills you gain, which is why the pressure to take up a "useful" profession is so strong. I used to feel ashamed about my love for writing, thinking it wasn’t something I should pursue seriously. It’s ingrained in us to think that way.

And yeah, the culture of jealousy and tsismis doesn’t help. There’s always someone ready to tear you down, and those in higher positions love to flex their power just because they can. It makes it even harder for creatives to thrive unless they have connections or outside support. It’s frustrating, but at the same time, that just makes every win in writing feel even more worth it.

The way elite universities are perceived plays a huge role in reinforcing elitism, even if no one openly admits it. Just like how professions are ranked based on perceived usefulness, the university you graduate from often carries more weight than the diploma itself. It’s not just about education—it’s about status, connections, and the assumption of intelligence.

If you come from a prestigious university, people automatically assume you’re smart, capable, and worthy of respect. Meanwhile, if you graduate from a lesser-known school, you have to constantly prove yourself, even if you’re just as skilled—or better. This mindset is so ingrained that even in workplaces, an accomplished person might have to take a step back if someone from a top university enters the room. It’s an unspoken hierarchy, where the right alma mater can open doors that raw talent alone often can’t.

Of course, not everyone buys into this system, but the general consensus is clear—knowing the right people and coming from the right place can make your career, while lacking those connections can break it. It’s why so many people push for elite universities, not just for the quality of education, but for the status and security it brings. It’s an unfair reality, but one that shapes the opportunities available to so many. Thus, when I thought of taking CW in a 'respected' university, I couldn't get it out of my mind.