Rosie McCrum
Rosie graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Creative Writing and currently works as an Editor at The Local Content Company in London.
How did you get into this field after studying Creative Writing at Newcastle?
I saw an advert online for Camdenist, a media startup in the area I grew up in. I got in touch and worked for free briefly during lockdown, then on a freelance basis for a year whilst working as a childminder and a freelancer for another publication. I’ve been full-time for just over a year now.
Studying Creative Writing at Newcastle University
How has studying Creative Writing at Newcastle helped you in your career?
I’m able to use the things I learnt at Newcastle to approach my interviews and copywriting in a more creative way. I learnt how to refine my writing, structure sentences properly, edit effectively and be intentional with my choice of words - all useful skills in a lot of jobs. My degree also taught me to follow my curiosity, which has been especially useful when it comes to interviewing people.
What advice would you give to a student interested in studying Creative Writing?
Follow what feels authentic as much as you can. Often the stories that really need to be told are the ones that have been inside us all along, or the ones that might feel scary to share. Invest as much time and effort into your work as you can. You really get out as much as you put in, and I wish I’d realised that sooner.
What was the best thing about studying Creative Writing at Newcastle?
Getting to read other people’s writing and share feedback with people who care as much as you do. It’s an inspiring and motivating environment where I got to grow as a writer.