Career as Writer

Last Updated By Harleen Kaur on 25 Aug, 2022

How to Become a Writer

About Writer

Are you interested to become a writer? Are you passionate about writing? Creative Writing is a potential career for those who are interested in writing and have a passion towards the field. A career in creative writing offers excellent monetary returns. However, creative writing is not a career for all. A career in creative writing is an artistic work, and the person who wants to become a good writer must have both creative and language skills. Creative writers are known by several names such as novelists, poets, lyricists etc. A writer is capable of inculcating feelings in a person through his writings. Creative writing requires a lot of research and hard work. A writer has to express his/ her feelings through imaginative ideas and thoughts.

A writer is a specialist at using words. They use words to express ideas, information, and particular kinds of messages. Writing, which was once limited to pen, paper, and typewriters, now thrives on the Internet and other digital media and has a worldwide effect. Writing careers exist in almost every field because writers are crucial to communication. Words are used by writers to express ideas. They work in a variety of media, including books, magazines, and print media, as well as blogs and the Internet. Writers can use words, phrases and photos, and words combined with other kinds of media like video streaming. Writers work in a variety of settings, including advertising, magazines, and newspapers. Writers create digital content for the billions and billions of Internet pages. E-commerce, online ads, and messaging are examples of this connectivity. Writers also create scripts, plays, and screenplays for films.

Eligibility to become Writer

  • For taking up Under Graduate courses in different languages, Journalism  Mass Communication, a pass in Class 12 with a minimum of 45% marks in qualifying exams

  • For certificate and diploma courses in creative writing, Class 12 is the minimum qualification

 

Steps to Becoming a Writer

There is no one way to become a writer; successful writers come from a wide range of perspectives, personal histories, or rather educational backgrounds. Jobs as a writer typically necessitate some degree of education. Most companies will require a bachelor's degree in a field related to writing, such as English Literature. Hiring managers seeking to fill higher-paying and more demanding positions frequently require significant relevant work experience as well as a master's degree.

Step 1: Complete your Basic Schooling

A writer typically needs to have a minimum level of education, such as a high school diploma or an equivalent, in order to be employed by others. The fact that self-taught people have achieved success as writers is one of the special characteristics of the writing profession. Courses in English, writing, grammar, and reading provide significant advantages and skills for aspiring writers in the realm of formal education.Many students start out as columnists for school publications such as newspaper articles, bulletins, and school books.Reading is a fundamental skill of good writers. By consuming a large amount of meaningful writing, writers gain firsthand knowledge of the power of written words. In some ways, writing is the ability to convey an experience; writers assist people in visualising and comprehending things, including fresh and unfamiliar subjects.

Step 2: Complete a Bachelor's or Writing Education degree

A formal writing education can be achieved at an accredited school, college, or university. Writing education can also be acquired through practical roles that help strengthen technical writing, knowledge, and skill sets. After high school, formal education generally consists of a bachelor's, or master's degree in a writing-related field. Several aspiring writers major in literature, English, or sociology. Writers with a solid foundation in writing, composition, and literature can benefit from a wide variety of minor and major disciplines. Writers must exhibit their expertise, knowledge, and any areas of specialisation. The writer's portfolio is one frequently used tool. A portfolio is a collection of the author's writings that serve as examples of their style and subject expertise. The portfolio can show depth in a few topics or the writer's voice expressed across a variety of subjects.

Step 3: Identify Areas of Interest

Writing is not a restricted field; writing and written communications are used in almost every artistic, commercial, or social activity. When starting a writing career, it may be beneficial to begin in areas of interest. Motivation comes from a strong interest, as well as writers can take advantage of work that helps them develop and refine their professional writing skills. Hobbies, athletics, technology, and entertainment can all be pursued alongside writing.

Step 4: Acquire Experience

Writing jobs can be dynamic, and employers will base their hiring decisions on academic achievement, writing samples, portfolios, and expertise. Internships, cooperative projects, and other similar opportunities can help a writer gain experience. Training programmes, vocational schools, colleges, and universities frequently assist students in obtaining internships and awarding academic credit for them. Internships can provide you with valuable contacts, a body of specific experience in a profession, and on-the-job learning and training in some fields such as healthcare, international trade, or business.

Step 5: Find Work

Writers with an education or a degree as well as some experience can find work. Full-time writing jobs are available in almost every type of business, industry, and commercial company. State, regional, and federal governments hire writers to manage the massive amount of content required by public functions. Because writing work is portable and easily outsourced by a variety of individuals, businesses, and organisations, writers today have several options in the 'gig economy.' Several writers are self-employed experts who work online and in their local areas on a variety of writing projects. They can take advantage of on-demand employment opportunities as well as the high demand for digital content and marketing. Poets, novelists, and nonfiction writers who want to publish their work must find publications and sell their work. Some writers hire literary agents to help them market their work and search for publishing opportunities. However, creative writers do not always have complete control over their outcomes, and the process can be complicated with temporary failures. Authors now have a plethora of self-publishing options available through large Internet publications and book sales platforms.

Step 6: Earn a Master’s Degree

A writer may find it easier to find employment in their desired fields with advanced degrees. A Master of Arts in English or Literature, or a Master of Fine Arts degree, can advance your career and present you with new opportunities. In the writing industry, advanced degrees are a source of authority, and many hiring managers prioritise this level of education.

 

Tools Needed to Become a Writer

To become a good writer, one must first understand the fundamentals of content creation. Knowledge of tools for identifying grammatical errors and plagiarism. To become a writer, you must use specific tools.

  • When you write a paragraph, you will notice spelling and grammar errors. To avoid these errors, use Grammarly's tools for detecting grammatical and spelling errors. This tool will strengthen the content's quality and make it easier for users to understand

  • Another tool, called a plagiarism checker, is used to determine whether the content is original or tried to copy. You can use this tool after you've written the content to test it and ensure its uniqueness
  • Some of the articles have been written in the WordPress tool, which allows for various modes of writing with text and special characters

 

Guidance for Aspiring Writers

Use the guidance given below to improve as a writer.

  • Make it a habit to read books that will help you with your language every day
  • Watch English-language movies to learn sentence structure
  • Try to submit brief articles daily to various journals

 

Types of Job Roles Writer

Here is the list of some of the popular job designations available for a creative writer/ writer: -

  • Copywriters: The responsibility of a copywriter is to create content describing a particular product, its features, benefits etc. Copywriters also write advertising letters, brochures, newsletters, catalogues etc.

  • Article Writers: These writers are responsible for writing articles on varied topics such as education, food, sports, entertainment, business, health etc.

  • Author/ Book Writer: A writer can become an author of a book by narrating a beautiful story on any topic. They can write fictional and non-fictional books for children and adults. The popularity of the writer depends on upon his writing and creativity.

  • Content Writers/ Online Writers: These writers have different roles from content writing to blogging to freelance writing to technical writing.

  • Script Writers: Writers who are good at writing dialogues can become scriptwriters. These writers write content for movies, television shows and plays.

  • Novelists: Writers with outstanding power of imagination can excel in the world of fiction by writing novels.  

  • Lyricist: Writers who are most skilled with figures of speech, metaphors and poetry can turn into lyricists by writing songs.

  • Technical Writers: A writer who can translate or explain the technical terms of companies’ products in simple language for an understanding of the common person is called as a technical writer.

Employment Opportunities for Writers:

Creative Writers/ Writers are required in numerous agencies and companies. Candidates with excellent writing skills can get jobs in the following fields: -

  • Newspapers
  • Advertising Agencies
  • Websites
  • Books Publishing Agencies
  • Transport Agencies (Technical Writer)
  • Software Companies
  • Online Shopping Portals
  • Freelancing
  • Editors
  • Movies/ Entertainment
  • Media

Top Recruiting Agencies for Writers

Here is the list of top companies that recruit content writers, article writers, technical writers etc: -

  • Times of India
  • Eenadu (Telugu News Paper)
  • Oracle
  • Triumph India Software Services
  • Cisco Systems
  • Dell
  • Amazon
  • Capgemini
  • Careers 360
  • CollegeDekho

 

Skills Required to Become the Best Writer

To become a writer, candidates must possess some special abilities:

  • Communication abilities
  • Creative writing abilities
  • Language Determination Knowledge
  • Outstanding verbal communication abilities
  • Understanding of media production
  • Thinking ability and creativeness

Planning to choose Writer as your career?

Pay Scale/Salary of Writer

The salaries offered to a deserving writer are not constant, and it depends on creative skills and experience. However, fixed salaries depending on the experience will be offered to some of the positions in creative writing.

Job Profile

Starting Salary per annum (in INR)

Mid Level Salary per annum (in INR)

Senior Level Salary per annum (In INR)

Content Writers

Rs. 1,50,000

Rs. 2,50,000

Rs. 4,00,000

Editors (in Newspapers)

Rs. 1,50,000

Rs. 3,00,000

Rs. 4,00,000

Technical Writer

Rs. 1,50,000

Rs. 2,50,000

Rs. 4,00,000

Advertising Agencies

Rs. 1,50,000

Rs. 3,00,000

Rs. 4,00,000

Scriptwriters, lyricists etc will be paid as per their popularity, skills and experience. There are senior or junior level positions in these fields.

Note: The above figures are an estimate and may vary from individual to individual and company to company.

Books & Study Material to Become Writer

Here is the list of some of the top special education books for enhancing your skills in writing: -

  • Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley

  • Write Tight: Say Exactly What You Mean with Precision and Power by William Brohaugh

  • The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century by Steven Pinker

  • You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One) by Jeff Goins

  • Stein On Writing by Sol Stein

  • 1001 Ways to Write Great Fiction, Get Published, and Earn Your Audience by Chuck Wendig

  • Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

Pros of becoming a Writer

  • Creative writers with outstanding skills can earn high salary packages.

  • Flexible working hours and the nature of work

Cons of becoming a Writer

  • Starting salaries are low compared to other fields

  • Sometimes, there will be stress and pressure to meet the deadlines.

Career path for Writer

Language skills and creativity are the key skills that a writer should possess besides relevant educational qualification. Pursuing special courses in creative writing will add advantage to your professional career. After Class 12, students can take up a course in the English Language, i.e., B.A. English to improve their literature and language skills. If you want to become a writer in your native language, then you can take up specialised course in your language. For example, B.A. Telugu, B.A. Bengali, B.A. Hindi etc

Subjects Combination: Usually, there is no specific subject combination required to become a writer.

Do you think this is the right career choice for you?

Take our test and find out if it suits your strengths.

news_cta

FAQs about Writer

Can a voracious reader become a successful writer?

To become a successful writer, one must be a voracious reader but must also possess certain other qualities like strong research skills, organizational skills, adaptability etc.

Who is the current highest paid writer in the world?

J K Rowling is currently the highest paid writer in the world.

What is the right age to become a writer?

There is no right age to become a writer.

What is the name of the youngest writer to date?

Dorothy Straight is currently the youngest writer in the world.

Who is the current richest writer in India?

Benyamin, a Malayali Author, is currently the richest writer in India.

Can I become a writer without any experience?

No, you cannot become anything without experience, let alone being a writer.

Can I become rich by becoming a writer?

Yes, you can become rich by choosing writing as a profession provided you strike the balance between your vision as an author and meeting commercial imperatives.

How much should a writer charge for a 1000 word article?

Freelance writers in India usually charge as low as 1 rupee per word and as high as 10 rupees per word depending upon the quality of the content they produce.

Is it hard to become a writer?

No, it is not that hard to become a writer provided the aspirant has strong writing skills to stand apart from the crowd of aspiring writers.

How much does a writer in India earn on an average basis?

A writer in India earns in the bracket of INR 10K to INR 12K per month during the initial stages. Freelancers can earn between 25,000/- rupees and 40,000/- rupees per month whereas a content writer associated with an organisation can bring home something around 20K per month and 60K per month.

View More

Confused on what to choose as your career?

Top
Planning to take admission in 2024? Connect with our college expert NOW!