Writers

At a Glance

Write things from captions to novels to speeches
Some work for others, while many work on a free-lance basis
Usually revise work several times
Often work alone
May have flexible schedules
Have at least a bachelor's degree

Career summary

Writers use words to express thoughts and interpret information.

Writers can be divided into two general groups. One group works for employers or clients and writes items about specific topics for them. Another group writes about what interests them and hopes to find buyers for their work.

All writers follow the same basic steps to produce a written product. Writers gather information about their topics. For some articles, writers interpret the meaning of complex events or information.

Writers of books, short stories, and other creative items also gather information. They develop plot, character, the environment, and other aspects of the story.

Writers often revise their work so that the information makes sense and is written clearly. They may have other writers read their work and give them feedback. Many writers have editors read and comment on their work.

There are many different types of writers:

Caption writers translate dialogue from another language into English or vice versa.
Copywriters create ads, sales letters, speeches, and other items meant to persuade people to buy products.
Creative writers write short stories, novels, articles, essays, and a variety of other items.

Related careers

This career is part of the Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to writers.

Write about topics of their own interest or of interest to clients.
Conduct research to learn more about topics. Interview people or read books, newspapers, and other information sources.
Organize ideas and facts.
Revise text so it is clear and presented in a logical order.
Write about complex information in a way that different audiences can understand.
Get feedback on text from clients, editors, and other writers. May make presentations in meetings.
May write articles, speeches, lyrics, or narrative.
For fiction writers, develop themes, plots, characterizations, and setting.
May write products that advertise, inform, or entertain.
Plan projects by outlining and storyboarding.
Prepare work in the appropriate format before sending it to publishers and editors.
Use computers.

Common work activities

Writers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Think creatively
Get information needed to do the job
Use computers
Organize, plan, and prioritize work
Communicate with people outside the organization
Update and use job-related knowledge
Make decisions and solve problems
Establish and maintain relationships
Identify objects, actions, and events
Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
Develop goals and strategies
Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
Analyze data or information
Document and record information
Judge the value of objects, services, or people
Explain the meaning of information to others
Schedule work and activities
Process information

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, writers:

Interpersonal relationships

Talk to others by telephone, e-mail, and in person. They also write letters and memos, but less frequently.
Have a medium level of social contact. They interview people and talk to clients, but also work alone while writing. Creative writers who are self-employed have a much lower level of contact.
Are somewhat responsible for the work done by others, especially other copy writers.

Physical work conditions

Always work indoors.

Work performance

Must fully complete and be exact in their work. Errors in their text could confuse readers.
Are able to make decisions independently, without input from others.
Repeat the same physical activities.
Set their daily tasks and goals independently. This is especially true of novelists, poets, and freelance writers.
Work in a competitive environment in which they may be responsible for locating work. Daily and weekly deadlines must be met.

Hours/travel

May work part time or full time. Copywriters usually work full time.
May have a flexible schedule.

Physical demands

Writers frequently:

Sit for long periods of time.
Repeat the same movements.

It is important for writers to be able to:

See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Understand the speech of another person.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for writers to be able to:

See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.

Skills and abilities

Writers need to:

Communicate

Write clearly so other people can understand.
Read and understand work-related materials.
Understand written information.
Understand spoken information.
Listen to others and ask questions.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

Reason and problem solve

Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
Think of new ideas about a topic.
Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
Recognize the nature of a problem.
Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
Develop rules that group items in various ways.
Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
Persuade others to approach things differently.
Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

Other programs of study to consider

Training

To work as a writer, you typically need to:

have a high school diploma or equivalent;
have a bachelor's degree; and
complete long-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

There are several ways to prepare for this occupation. One way is to complete a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or English. Another approach is to get a liberal arts degree. In general, liberal arts programs teach you how to write. Thus, you can major in English, psychology, sociology, or several other areas. You gain knowledge of that area and you learn to write.

Work experience

You can develop writing skills in many ways. For example, you can prepare for this field by working on a school newspaper or yearbook. Any writing experience is valuable, paid or not. Many students work as interns while they are in high school or college to get experience. You should keep examples of your work in a portfolio.

On-the-job training

Beginning writers often start with smaller firms or do routine tasks at first. You often begin by doing research or proofreading for experienced writers. You write routine pieces to gain experience. Later, you get more control over your work and tougher writing assignments. Training typically lasts at least one year.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

American Literature
Computer Applications
Creative Writing
English Literature
Technical Writing
World Literature

Many writers are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

Accounting
Entrepreneurship
Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers prefer to hire writers who have at least a bachelor's degree. Some employers prefer applicants who majored in English, communications, or journalism. Employers who specialize in a certain area, such as science or legal issues, require applicants to have additional experience or study in that area.

Employers look for writers who can express ideas clearly and logically. They also look for creative, knowledgeable, and self-motivated workers who can meet deadlines.

Generally, proven writing ability is the most important qualification, regardless of educational background. Employers also look for writers who have had materials published. Experience writing college research papers is a good way to prepare for nonfiction freelance writing. It helps writers learn to do research and meet writing deadlines. Personal presentation is very important. The qualities that are attractive to employers include dependability, availability, neatness, experience, knowledge of specific background information, enthusiasm for the subject matter, and other special skills.

Tips

Individuals should learn to operate a digital camera. Selling written work, especially non-fiction, is sometimes easier when photographs are included. This tends to be true for lower and medium-pay markets. Top magazines usually do not rely on writers to provide photos or graphics.

Individuals are encouraged to write daily and read a wide variety of materials, including writer's magazines. It is also important to analyze what you read to find out what makes a piece of writing good or poor. Related course work may help improve writing skills; however, constant practice is most important for developing style and ability.

Knowing how to market your work is important. Find out what the demand is for the type of materials you wish to write. Try to recognize trends and styles in what is published. This can help when marketing your work. Enrolling in local writing courses and workshops will improve writing skills and teach the latest needs of the market.

Developing an area of expertise can be very helpful. Many freelance writers belong to support groups where they can receive feedback on their work. Serving on community boards or volunteering in community groups can be a good way to make contact with businesses or local government that may need freelance writing services.

Travel writing is very competitive. Since many popular travel destinations have already been covered in great detail, be prepared to visit countries or regions that are not as well known. This may mean going to places where language barriers can be an issue. Many travel writers are college students who work during their summer break. Writers who get payment in advance need to remember that this money must cover all their travel expenses. Experienced writers recommend having a fair amount of money saved before you take on travel assignments.

#Added travel writing comments 3/6/07 from Career Opportunities News, Jan/Feb 2007, p. 6, CJ.

Costs to workers

Writers need reference books and basic supplies such as paper, a computer, and printer. Most subscribe to magazines and journals. Writers may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues, or they may attend writer's conferences.

Writers who are self-employed must register with the Washington State Department of Revenue and report all earnings yearly. There is a nominal registration fee and taxes must be paid if annual earnings exceed a certain amount. They also must pay for their own health benefits.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link) .

Wages

Writers and authors (SOC 27-3043)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$14.65	$22.85	$29.36	$38.86	$49.35
	Monthly	$2,539	$3,960	$5,088	$6,734	$8,552
	Yearly	$30,480	$47,530	$61,060	$80,840	$102,640
Bellingham	Hourly	$15.75	$16.83	$18.59	$21.45	$23.75
	Monthly	$2,729	$2,917	$3,222	$3,717	$4,116
	Yearly	$32,754	$34,992	$38,659	$44,617	$49,402
Bremerton-Silverdale	Hourly	$14.45	$19.81	$33.31	$45.89	$56.29
	Monthly	$2,504	$3,433	$5,773	$7,953	$9,755
	Yearly	$30,052	$41,199	$69,294	$95,432	$117,094
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$14.73	$25.04	$30.08	$39.39	$50.43
	Monthly	$2,553	$4,339	$5,213	$6,826	$8,740
	Yearly	$30,643	$52,072	$62,570	$81,944	$104,910
Spokane-Spokane Valley	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Monthly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
Vancouver	Hourly	$19.62	$24.04	$31.82	$40.38	$59.25
	Monthly	$3,400	$4,166	$5,514	$6,998	$10,268
	Yearly	$40,796	$50,013	$66,197	$83,987	$123,248
United States	Hourly	$15.24	$21.58	$29.89	$41.14	$58.49
	Monthly	$2,641	$3,740	$5,180	$7,130	$10,136
	Yearly	$31,700	$44,890	$62,170	$85,580	$121,670

(1) Wage estimate is not available.

Wages vary by employer and the writer's reputation. Many writers are self-employed and sell individual articles to magazines. Others work for a commission, or a percentage of the amount a book is sold for. Some writers obtain grants to support the time they devote to their writing. Many writers have another job that supports them, and write in their free time.

Self-employed writers must provide their own benefits. Writers who are not self-employed and work full time may receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Writers and Authors (SOC 27-3043)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	4,941	20.5%	16.1%	666
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	10	30.0%	13.4%	1
Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties	82	14.6%	8.6%	10
Benton and Franklin Counties	39	0.0%	15.0%	3
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	343	-29.4%	11.9%	4
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	84	6.0%	15.2%	8
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	56	-1.8%	14.1%	4
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	294	11.2%	14.6%	33
King County	2,796	32.1%	19.6%	457
Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties	33	-9.1%	13.8%	2
Pierce County	75	4.0%	15.2%	7
Snohomish County	967	9.5%	12.4%	103
Spokane County	153	49.7%	13.9%	31
United States	123,200	-0.2%	5.2%	12,800

National employment

About 62% of writers are self-employed.

Major employers:

Religious and civic organizations
Newspaper, magazine, and book publishers
Advertising companies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is expected little to no change. Online publications and services are growing in number, increasing the demand for writers and authors with Web and multimedia experience. However, the demand for writers in the newspaper and book industry is expected to slow.

Job openings will occur as experienced writers leave this occupation. Turnover is high in this field. Many freelance writers leave because they cannot earn enough. However, many people are attracted to the writing field, and competition will be strong.

Other resources

Academy of American Poets
75 Maiden Lane, Suite 901
New York, NY 10038
212.274.0343

American Folklore Society
812.856.2379

American Journalism Review

American Literature Association

Artist Trust
1835 - 12th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
866.218.7878
206.467.8734

Asian American Journalists Association
5 Third Street, Suite 1108
San Francisco, CA 94103
415.346.2051

Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
234 Outlet Pointe Boulevard
Columbia, SC 29210
803.798.0271

Dow Jones News Fund
PO Box 300
Princeton, NJ 08543-0300
609.452.2820

Editorial Freelancers Association
266 West 37th Street, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10018

Fiction Writing

National Association of Science Writers
PO Box 7905
Berkeley, CA 94707
510.647.9500

National Communication Association
1765 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

National Endowment for the Arts
400 - 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 20506
202.682.5400

National Federation of Press Women
140B Purcellville Gateway Dr. Suite 120
Purcellville, VA 20132
804.746.1033

National Writers Union
256 West 38th Street, Suite 703
New York, NY 10018

Pacific Northwest Writers Association
1420 NW Gilman Boulevard, Suite 2
PO Box 2717
Issaquah, WA 98027
425.673.2665

Pew Center for Civic Journalism
1615 L St. NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036

Poets & Writers

Project for Excellence in Journalism
1615 L Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
202.419.4300

Showbizjobs.com

Society for Cinema & Media Studies
640 Parrington Oval
Wallace Old Science Hall, Room 300
Norman, OK 73019

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
323.782.1010

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Western Washington

The Writer's Garret
1250 Majesty Drive
Dallas, TX 75247

Women's and Gender Studies: A Guide to the Collections of The New York Public Library

Writers Guild of America, West
7000 West Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
800.548.4532
323.951.4000

Writing for Kids

References

Career cluster

Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications

Career path

Artistic

O*Net occupations

O*Net job zone

Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.