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Writer
Art and humanities

How to become a Writer

What does a Writer do?

You hate reading because you hate bland, unimaginative prose. You should become a Writer…The internet, blogs and the age of self-publishing mean there are more opportunities for Writers now than ever before. However, it's important to point out that there are lots of different types of writer out there, doing dozens of different sorts of roles.For instance, a modern Writer might:
  • Pen product descriptions for catalogues
  • Work at a content production agency coming up with exciting copy for websites
  • Write short stories, novels or pieces of non-fiction for periodicals
  • Write features for magazines and newspapers
  • Blog about a specific subject or subjects

Is a career as a Writer right for me?

Regardless of their medium, a good writer must have an excellent grasp of the English language. An appreciation for tone, and an almost unhealthy obsession with good grammar and punctuation are also essential.Many Writing jobs are on a freelance or self-employed basis, so determination and a consistently high level of output should not be underestimated.A good Writer will be:
  • Creative
  • Confident in their own ability - but objective enough to take constructive criticism on board
  • Thick-skinned, and able to deal with rejection
  • Flexible, and prepared to work long hours, sometimes for little pay
  • Anti-procrastination (in ideology, if nothing else)
  • Adaptable, and willing to edit and rewrite pieces at a moment’s notice

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Career progression and salary expectations for a Writer

The average starting salary for a Writer can vary.

Get qualified as a Writer

It is not a necessary requirement to have a degree to become a Writer. However, an English-based qualification may help you learn your craft.

Recommended Writer courses

  • Diploma in Freelance Writer

    Training Express Ltd
    Full Fledged CPD Accredited Diploma Certificate | Free PDF & Hard Copy Certificate included | Free Retake Exam
    • Online
    • 40 hours · Self-paced
    • Certificate(s) included
    • 100 CPD points
    • Tutor support
    Great service
    ✩ Trusted by Over 10K Business Partners & 1 Million Students Around the World! ✩ Do words simmer in your soul, yearning to be unleashed? This Diploma in Creative Wordscapes isn't just a writing course, it's a portal to unleash your unique voice and weave captivating stories. …
    £75

  • Diploma in Research & Writing

    Training Express Ltd
    15 Courses Bundle | CPD Accredited | Free PDF & Hard Copy Certificate included | Free Retake Exam | Lifetime Access
    • Online
    • 80 hours · Self-paced
    • Certificate(s) included
    • 150 CPD points
    • Tutor support
    Great service
    ✩ Trusted by Over 10K Business Partners & 1 Million Students Around the World! ✩ Research & Writing Diploma Are you passionate about writing and research? With the increasing demand for skilled writers and researchers across multiple industries, now is the perfect time t …
    £109

What's it like to be a Writer?

"I started off my career writing the odd feature for a local newspaper and realised this was what I wanted to do with my life. However, I also have a passion for fiction, so I registered as a freelancer and started to send stories in to editors at different magazines. Eventually, I started to get sales - and I finally began to make enough to give up the day job. I'm now a novelist, which I still supplement with non-fiction sales - and I think I have the best job in the world. I can work when I like, and get to do something creative every day. It doesn't get much better than that."

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