Language Jobs - Writer

Now, it is obvious how I come to write about this job, isn't it? I am a writer, I love to write, and writing uses language(s). So, here's my overview of the job of a writer:

Writer

Description

A writer writes. Novels, short stories, poems, articles, blog posts, essays, games, ...

Some things are assignments, with a deadline and agreed payment, others are written on speculation (novels, for example, but other things as well - mostly for magazines).

Necessary Skills

A writer needs to know his tools, that is syntax, vocabulary, grammar and style. Depending on what kind of texts he wants to write, he needs to know the requirements (character development, plot, outline of a report or scientific text, etc.).

Furthermore, especially for fiction writers, it is highly advisable to read a lot. So, if a writer wants to write fantasy, he should read at least some fantasy novels and short stories first; if he wants to write crime and suspense, he should read some books from those genres, and so on. Reading not only helps to get to know the genre, but it also improves the writer's tool set.

Last but not least, though this is to be taken with a grain of salt, a writer definitely needs to be a tad bit crazy...

Income Range

Income, like with most freelancing jobs, varies greatly. There are a few select authors who get rich writing (and marketing!) their fiction or non-fiction, and a legion of freelancers who are glad if they are able to pay their bills every month. Content-mills pay crap but offer lots of opportunities for writers who are able to write several articles per hour while better-paying venues are difficult to get into.

Where to Find Jobs

There are lots of so-called content-mills out there, websites which pay very low rates but offer the opportunity to write tons of articles. Then, there are countless magazines, both print and online, which buy short stories, poems and non-fiction. Last but not least, there are all the literary agents and publishers from the big players to the small publishers with print runs in the low hundreds.