Writer and Author

What a Writer and Author Does

All written content, whether in a book, an instruction manual, or professional website, is the product of writers and authors. All writers and authors have the responsibility of creating original and informative content, which can be used in a variety of media, including those listed above. Some even write screenplays, jingles, news stories, scripts for movies, advertisements, and television shows. Most writing jobs have writers working under editors who will assign the writer an assignment dictating what needs to be written. Writers and authors must conduct extensive research on their topics and integrate what they learn into their written products. Creativity, a strong understanding of the mechanics of the written language, and superior editing skills are all essential traits and skills in the writing field. Though editors may look over the writer's materials to check for spelling, clarity, and grammar, writers and authors must also be well-versed in these skills as well so that the potential for error is minimized. Some writers may submit their completed assignments to their editors for publication, while others may directly publish their completed assignments themselves, depending on the size of the company, as well as what type of writing is being done.

How to Become a Writer and Author

Writing is a discipline that requires a strong understanding of language and vocabulary. For this reason, writers and authors must have at least a bachelor's degree in communications or another related field, such as English or journalism, in order to find gainful employment. This is because earning a four-year college degree in a writing-related field shows employers that the job applicant has met a standard of education and communication skills. After all, all communications students will have taken plenty of courses during their college career in literature, English, creative writing, and other related subjects that will expand the student's scope and knowledge of writing. Those who wish to focus their writing in a particular niche, such as focusing solely on science writing or technical writing, should also take college courses in those particular areas. To advance in the field, writers simply need to gain plenty of experience and professional writing clips. Tackling tougher assignments and consistently turning out quality work is another good way to show employers that one is ready to move up the ranks. No certification or licensure is necessary for writing and authoring jobs.

Career Outlook for Writers and Authors

In 2008, authors and writers held approximately 151,700 jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Most of these writers and authors work in publishing industries, such as with newspapers, magazines, scientific journals, and technical services. Yet, there is a huge portion of writers and authors who are not yet officially accounted for – Internet writers. While there are certainly a great number of amateur writers on the Internet, such as those who run personal websites and blogs, there are also a great number of professional writers and authors operating on the World Wide Web. As the print industry shrinks, many news outlets are moving to the Internet, meaning that many of their writers and authors are also moving to the Internet. As more new Internet-based publications open, more writers will be needed to fill valuable content-generating positions. In fact, employment opportunities for writers and authors are projected to increase 15 percent through the 2008-18 decade, the BLS reports. In addition to a thriving job climate, aspiring writers and authors can also look forward to earning a decent living. The median salary for writers and authors was $53,070 in May 2008, the most recent information available from the BLS.