Writers

Writers use words to express thoughts and interpret information.

One type of writer works for employers or clients and writes about specific topics for them. Freelancers write about what interests them and hope to find buyers for their work.

Writers are in the Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications career cluster and the Journalism and Broadcasting pathway.

Quick Facts

Source: Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and CareerOneStop.

Wages & Outlook

Wages

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.

View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:

• Writers and Authors

 

Employment

In Minnesota, about 2,577 writers work in this small occupation.

About 68 percent of writers are self-employed.

Major employers:

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

Outlook

Employment of writers is expected to increase as the demand for magazines, newspapers, and television shows grows. Opportunities for entry-level jobs should be better at small daily or weekly newspapers. Small radio and television stations are also a good place to start. With the expansion of the Internet, there will be an increased need for web-based writing, including technical writing, blogging, and other writing for interactive media.

In addition, many 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.

Employment Outlook for Writers and Authors

	Employment		Employment Change
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
U S	145,900	155,400	9,500	6.5%
Minnesota	3,159	3,429	270	8.5%
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
Central Minnesota	244	268	24	9.8%
Northeast Minnesota	143	163	20	14%
Northwest Minnesota	340	391	51	15%
Southeast Minnesota	252	276	24	9.5%
Southwest Minnesota	238	254	16	6.7%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	1,943	2,080	137	7.1%

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.

On the Job

Overview

Writers use words to express thoughts and interpret information.


The English novelist Edward George Bulwer Litton penned the famous saying, "The pen is mightier than the sword." People often quote this line today to point out the power of words. In fact, we often describe writers as those who "wield" pens, rather than weapons. This doesn't mean that writers use words for violent purposes. However, it points to the lasting power of words to change people's thoughts. Words can influence people's opinions and make them feel a range of emotions, from happy to sad and the entire range in between.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. Those who write short stories, novels, articles, essays, and a variety of other items are called creative writers.

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. Regardless of who they work for, writers follow the same basic steps to produce a written product. Writers begin by gathering information about their topics. They may read newspapers, books, diaries, or interview people to learn more. Writers organize the information they gather and make sense of it. For some articles, writers interpret the meaning of complex events or information. They must express information in a manner that is clear and understandable by people who are not experts in that area. Writers of books, short stories, and other creative items also gather information. In addition, they develop plot, character, the environment, and other aspects of the story.

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

Most people who write are not called writers. Many people write in addition to doing other job tasks.

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.

• 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 the general public 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 or typewriters.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.

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

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

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.
• May occasionally be placed in conflict situations. This is especially true for 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

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

People in this career frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same motions.
• Use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

It is important for people in this career 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 people in this career to be able to:

• Use hands and fingers to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Education & Training

Preparation

To work as a writer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or GED;
• 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.

Related Programs (Current training programs available)

• Communication, General.
• Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
• Mass Communication/Media Studies
• Journalism
• Broadcast Journalism
• Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
• Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Communication
• English Composition
• Writing, General.
• Creative Writing
• Technical and Business Writing
• Rhetoric and Composition.
• Speech and Rhetorical Studies
• Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, Other.
• General Literature.
• Children's and Adolescent Literature.
• Playwriting and Screenwriting
• Business/Corporate Communications

Fields of Study (What to study to prepare for this career)

Click on any of the Fields of Study listed below to find out more about preparing for this career.

• African Studies
• African-American and Black Studies
• American Studies
• Asian Studies
• Asian-American Studies
• Broadcast Journalism
• Central and Eastern European Studies
• Communication and Speech Studies
• Comparative Literature
• Creative Writing
• Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging
• Digital Communication and Media
• Dramatic Arts
• East Asian Studies
• English Composition and Writing
• English Language and Literature
• Family and Consumer Sciences, General
• Film Studies
• Journalism
• Latin American Studies
• Latino Studies
• Mass Communication Studies
• Native American Studies
• Near and Middle Eastern Studies
• Playwriting and Screenwriting
• Public Relations
• Radio and Television
• Russian Studies
• Science, Technology, and Society
• Sociology
• South and Southeast Asian Studies
• Technical and Business Writing
• Web Page and Multimedia Design
• Western European Studies
• Women's Studies

Level of Education

The table below lists the level of education attained by a subset of workers in this occupation. The workers surveyed were between age 25 and 44.

Education level attained	Percentage of workers in this occupation*
Less than high school diploma	1
High school diploma or equivalent	3
Some college, no degree	9
Associate degree	3
Bachelor's degree	50
Master's degree	26
Doctoral (Ph.D.) or professional degree	8

* National data for writers and authors (SOC 27-3043).

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 occupation include:

• American Literature
• Computer Applications
• Creative Writing
• English Literature
• Keyboarding
• 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.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Skills

People in this career need to:

Communicate

• Express ideas clearly when speaking or writing.
• Listen to others, understand, and ask questions.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and Problem Solve

• Think of new ideas or original and creative ways to solve problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Develop rules or follow guidelines when arranging items.
• Identify problems and review information. Develop, review, and apply solutions.

Manage Oneself, People, Time and Things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with People

• Be aware of others' reactions and change behavior in relation to them.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Use several methods to learn or teach others how to do something.

Perceive and Visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Knowledge

People in this career need knowledge in the following areas:

• English Language: Knowledge of the meaning, spelling, and use of the English language.
• Communications and Media: Knowledge of producing, sharing, and delivering information or entertainment. This may be through written, spoken, or visual media.
• Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of advertising and selling products and services.
• Fine Arts: Knowledge of the methods and concepts needed to create or perform works of art. Areas of knowledge may include music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Interests

People in this career are people who tend to:

• Consider achievement important. They like to see the results of their work and to use their strongest abilities. They like to get a feeling of accomplishment from their work.
• Consider independence important. They like to make decisions and try out ideas on their own. They prefer jobs where they can plan their work with little supervision.
• Consider good working conditions important. They like jobs offering steady employment and good pay. They want employment that fits their individual work style. They may prefer doing a variety of tasks, working alone, or being busy all the time.
• Consider recognition important. They like to work in jobs which have opportunities for them to advance, be recognized for their work, and direct and instruct others. They usually prefer jobs in which they are looked up to by others.
• Have artistic interests. They like work activities that deal with artistic forms, designs, and patterns. They prefer work which allows for self expression.
• Have enterprising interests. They like work activities that involve starting up and carrying out projects, especially in business. They like to lead and persuade others, make decisions, and take risks for profit.
• Have investigative interests. They like work activities that have to do with ideas and thinking. They like to search for facts and figure out solutions to problems mentally.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Licensing / Certification

Certification Details

Certifications are examinations that test or enhance your knowledge, experience or skills in an occupation or profession.

There are 3 certifications related to this career.

Licensing Details

No State of Minnesota license requirements are found for this career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and CareerOneStop.

Jobs

Find Jobs

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Hiring Practices

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.

Advancement Opportunities

Writers have many options for advancing. Those who work in small firms may begin writing material right away. In larger firms, jobs may be more formally structured. Beginning writers often begin with researching, fact checking, or copyediting. As they prove themselves, they are given writing assignments. Some writers advance to working on more difficult projects for their employers.

Many writers become self-employed. They choose the projects they want to work on. Some write about what interests them and try to find buyers.

Job Title Examples

Advertising Associate,  Production Director,  Advertising Copy Writer,  Copy Writer,  Web Content Writer 

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Related Industries

Below are industries related to Writers you may be interested in reading about. Employers in these industries typically hire Writers. Click on the names to link to their industry profile.

Advertising
Education
Information And Internet Services
Legal Services
Motion Pictures And Sound Recording
Performing Arts And Sporting Events
Publishing And Broadcasting
Sports, Books, And Music Stores

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.