6 answers
Libby
Student
Holland, IA
3
Questions
Asked
664 views
What are some important steps to take in order to have a career in writing?
I'm thinking of going into a writing career.
#writing
Login to comment
6 answers
Brian P. D. Hannon
Journalist / Former College English and History Teacher
38
Answers
Bangkok, Thailand
Updated
Brian P. D.’s Answer
You can choose many different career paths as a writer. Almost every organization or company needs good writers to help communicate its ideas, goals and achievements.
You could work in journalism (newspapers, magazines or online), public relations and advertising (large corporations, private companies, nonprofit and advocacy organizations, government agencies, political offices) or in an academic field like history or science. (In addition to engineers, NASA needs people who can write and describe its explorations of space.) You could also become a teacher and instruct young people about how to write well.
Figure out what interests you personally and look for a professional field or business or industry in which you want to be involved on a daily basis. Every subject you enjoy in school has a related magazine or website in need of writers. And if you expand your knowledge on any topic you could eventually write nonfiction or instructional books. Think of writing as an extremely enjoyable way to work in any career area that interests you.
And if you're creative, try writing fiction, essays and poetry. Just keep in mind that those types of writing are not guaranteed to provide you with a career. It takes a lot of skill and hard work, plus a big heap of good luck, to make any type of creative writing into a full-time job.
The most important thing is to practice writing every day and eventually begin looking for places interested in publishing your work. That could be a website, newspaper or news organization, magazine, publishing company, government agency, or any other company doing something you want to share with the world. In the beginning, you may have to do some writing for free - there are lots of opportunities online - just to get some published work and experience that you can present to potential employers as proof you are a good writer and have potential to become even better.
Finally, you need to read - a lot. Read everything you can get your hands (or eyes) on. Do not limit yourself to topics you already like, but also try reading about things you don't already know or understand. That is one of the best ways to make discoveries and expand your knowledge and view of the world, which could lead to new topics for your writing. Read every day, because reading the work of good writers is an excellent way to learn how to improve your own writing. If you liked a piece of writing, you should also consider why you liked it and what the writer did specifically that made it enjoyable for you. Then try using some of those techniques in your own writing.
As you continue to improve your writing through daily practice, you will eventually become someone who is in demand as a professional writer.
You could work in journalism (newspapers, magazines or online), public relations and advertising (large corporations, private companies, nonprofit and advocacy organizations, government agencies, political offices) or in an academic field like history or science. (In addition to engineers, NASA needs people who can write and describe its explorations of space.) You could also become a teacher and instruct young people about how to write well.
Figure out what interests you personally and look for a professional field or business or industry in which you want to be involved on a daily basis. Every subject you enjoy in school has a related magazine or website in need of writers. And if you expand your knowledge on any topic you could eventually write nonfiction or instructional books. Think of writing as an extremely enjoyable way to work in any career area that interests you.
And if you're creative, try writing fiction, essays and poetry. Just keep in mind that those types of writing are not guaranteed to provide you with a career. It takes a lot of skill and hard work, plus a big heap of good luck, to make any type of creative writing into a full-time job.
The most important thing is to practice writing every day and eventually begin looking for places interested in publishing your work. That could be a website, newspaper or news organization, magazine, publishing company, government agency, or any other company doing something you want to share with the world. In the beginning, you may have to do some writing for free - there are lots of opportunities online - just to get some published work and experience that you can present to potential employers as proof you are a good writer and have potential to become even better.
Finally, you need to read - a lot. Read everything you can get your hands (or eyes) on. Do not limit yourself to topics you already like, but also try reading about things you don't already know or understand. That is one of the best ways to make discoveries and expand your knowledge and view of the world, which could lead to new topics for your writing. Read every day, because reading the work of good writers is an excellent way to learn how to improve your own writing. If you liked a piece of writing, you should also consider why you liked it and what the writer did specifically that made it enjoyable for you. Then try using some of those techniques in your own writing.
As you continue to improve your writing through daily practice, you will eventually become someone who is in demand as a professional writer.
Donn Swaby
Actor - Writer
15
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Donn’s Answer
First and foremost: write! You can't call yourself a writer if you don't actually write out the words/thoughts in your head.
When you start writing, never censure yourself. Don't stop, read what you wrote and criticize it. After you've written a bit, whatever length your session is, then you can go back and review and revise.
Join a critique group of other writers so you can get feedback on your writing as well as hearing the work of other writers read aloud and offering your own observations as you learn about the craft of writing. In a good critique group, notes are not "that was good/bad" In an effective critique group, notes touch upon story structure, character development, tone, dialogue, formatting, etc.
Read as much as you can and/or watch as many videos as you can about writing. There is a lot of info out there on just the mechanics of writing and basic storytelling, so take advantage of it.
If you desire, you could start a blog on your web site or a site like WordPress. Get in the habit of self-publishing your writing.
It's okay to model your writing style after writers you admire. That's how we learn, by copying the methods of those whom we aspire to be like. Eventually, if you keep consistently writing, over time, you will begin to develop your own style.
When you start writing, never censure yourself. Don't stop, read what you wrote and criticize it. After you've written a bit, whatever length your session is, then you can go back and review and revise.
Join a critique group of other writers so you can get feedback on your writing as well as hearing the work of other writers read aloud and offering your own observations as you learn about the craft of writing. In a good critique group, notes are not "that was good/bad" In an effective critique group, notes touch upon story structure, character development, tone, dialogue, formatting, etc.
Read as much as you can and/or watch as many videos as you can about writing. There is a lot of info out there on just the mechanics of writing and basic storytelling, so take advantage of it.
If you desire, you could start a blog on your web site or a site like WordPress. Get in the habit of self-publishing your writing.
It's okay to model your writing style after writers you admire. That's how we learn, by copying the methods of those whom we aspire to be like. Eventually, if you keep consistently writing, over time, you will begin to develop your own style.
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
850
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Libby,
Most of said this but I will repeat - to be a writer you must write. Do it all the time. If you can't think of stories, journal your thoughts. And when you write, make sure you review it and edit. The first draft should never be the final draft. Then you need to share your writing. You can only evolve so far without feedback.
Think about how you want to use your writing. Do you want to entertain, inform, influence? Do you want to focus on fiction, poetry, non-fiction? Long form? Short form? You need to begin to envision a world where writing is the center. I wanted to be a journalist but early in my studies, I learned that journalism in all its forms is competitive. I do not have a big competitive streak. Competition was going to crush my creative spirit. I found comfort in writing for work. I found my voice in writing through my first few jobs. I wrote down everything that I learned so I could remember it. I shared the documents with others to help them learn their jobs better. I did not know it but I had become a technical writer. (Now I am a full time Instructional Designer - which allows me to be more creative in my work than technical writing.)
Other jobs that require good writing skills include: speech writing, marketing, grant writer, any communications jobs in businesses. Good communication skills - both written and verbal - can take you a long way in any career. You just need to find a job that will hold your interest during the hard times. And every job is hard at some point or another. I love my job but sometimes it is boring or stressful. Sometimes I don't like who I do the work for so I change supervisors or even industries. (My best job was for a travel company because the subject matter was so fascinating to me! My current job is pretty interesting too, but it can't beat travel for the sheer fun of travel.)
Gloria
https://www.editage.com/all-about-publication/english-editing/top-tips-for-copyediting.html
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/technical-writers.htm
Most of said this but I will repeat - to be a writer you must write. Do it all the time. If you can't think of stories, journal your thoughts. And when you write, make sure you review it and edit. The first draft should never be the final draft. Then you need to share your writing. You can only evolve so far without feedback.
Think about how you want to use your writing. Do you want to entertain, inform, influence? Do you want to focus on fiction, poetry, non-fiction? Long form? Short form? You need to begin to envision a world where writing is the center. I wanted to be a journalist but early in my studies, I learned that journalism in all its forms is competitive. I do not have a big competitive streak. Competition was going to crush my creative spirit. I found comfort in writing for work. I found my voice in writing through my first few jobs. I wrote down everything that I learned so I could remember it. I shared the documents with others to help them learn their jobs better. I did not know it but I had become a technical writer. (Now I am a full time Instructional Designer - which allows me to be more creative in my work than technical writing.)
Other jobs that require good writing skills include: speech writing, marketing, grant writer, any communications jobs in businesses. Good communication skills - both written and verbal - can take you a long way in any career. You just need to find a job that will hold your interest during the hard times. And every job is hard at some point or another. I love my job but sometimes it is boring or stressful. Sometimes I don't like who I do the work for so I change supervisors or even industries. (My best job was for a travel company because the subject matter was so fascinating to me! My current job is pretty interesting too, but it can't beat travel for the sheer fun of travel.)
Gloria
Gloria recommends the following next steps:
Judith Quitoriano
Tutoring, mentoring, adjunct prof, pastoral counseling
53
Answers
Pacifica, California
Updated
Judith’s Answer
To have a writing career, it is important to be passionate about your work. One needs to feel compelled to write about experience or expertise every day. When you have assembled a good body of work and experience, you can outline ideas and continue to develop your manuscript, screen play, poetry etc.
A good place to publish works is through Udemy, an online audio visual course format or KDP through Amazon.
Writers support groups work for many. In these groups, gentle critiques could bring your work outside yourself. They also serve to break up some of the isolation which many writers experience.
Keeping a journal of inspirations can continue your work, even in dry spells.
More than anything, enjoy what you do.
A good place to publish works is through Udemy, an online audio visual course format or KDP through Amazon.
Writers support groups work for many. In these groups, gentle critiques could bring your work outside yourself. They also serve to break up some of the isolation which many writers experience.
Keeping a journal of inspirations can continue your work, even in dry spells.
More than anything, enjoy what you do.
Kristine Harrison
pharmacist
7
Answers
Lithia, Florida
Updated
Kristine’s Answer
My husband is a sports writer. Connections are very important. This includes knowing people in the type of writing you want to do as well as social media presence. My recommendation is to seek out opportunities to write while in college. Networking is important.
Rachel Siemens
Product Marketing
5
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
It depends on the kind of writing you'd like to do. The nice thing about this skillset is that it's truly transferable to any career. Being able to communicate clearly and succinctly will serve you well in all sorts of professions. I didn't realize how much I loved writing until I had started my career in marketing. Now, I use my writing skills in the office and spend free time freelancing about subject matter I find interesting or fulfills a creative need. I've personally found this a nice balance of corporate and creative when it comes to my writing. Sometimes it's nice to have creative pursuits live in tension with practical needs (i.e. health care, stable income, etc.). After a stint as a freelance writer/editor that left me drained and with less time to write about the stuff I care about, I've found this notion of tension to be true for myself.