Do I need an English degree to be a writer?

If you're a good writer, you don't need a degree. It doesn't matter what any other writer was like, if you need the help or you think it could improve your writing, take an English course. Honestly, if you want to be a writer outside of novels, I think an English degree is good. If your plan is to work at a day job and write novels on the side, then I don't see the point of an English degree.