Colleges don't do a very good job of helping students who want to use their writing talents navigate the real world. Learning to write and learning to make a living writing are two very different things, and the author of these two pieces does a great job offering practical advice that will help anyone. Even if you have no interest in writing as a career, the principles about discipline and production are applicable to any industry.
There are many ways to become a published author, but make sure you're ready for what that really means. Take a look at the articles, and get yourself on the right track.