Rookie Writer

I very recently decided that I would like to pursue a career that involves writing. Whether I want to be a journalist, a screenwriter, a novelist, or any one of countless other professions, I haven't decided, yet I'm almost certain that I'd love to spend the rest of my life writing for a living.

But where should I start? <IMG alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/confused.gif"&gt;

I read Karla's advice in this thread that I should start writing small articles for free to build up a portfolio, which sounds both practical and very appealing.

However, I don't specifically know where to submit my work. I sent an article for the first time to TheSite, but now I'm unsure of where else to gain experience.

Are there any particular newspapers or magazines from which I might benefit? Are there many other websites that accept unsolicited articles? Does anyone have any information about short story competitions?

Sorry to ramble on and on (thanks if you're still reading! <IMG alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt; ) but I'd finally like to ask about university degrees. Are there any writing-based courses that might be worth my while to study? Or is it best to get as much experience as possible and find work immediately after leaving school (I'm sixteen and have just one year left of school -- YAY!)?

All advice appreciated (see, triple alliteration -- I'd make a good journalist <IMG alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/wink.gif"&gt; ).

Thanks! <IMG alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt;

[This message has been edited by psychedelic (edited 02-08-2001).]