What Does it Take to Be a Creative Writer?
Job Description: Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.
Life As a Creative Writer
- Write words to fit musical compositions, including lyrics for operas, musical plays, and choral works.
- Develop factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue to create material.
- Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
- Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly.
- Teach writing classes.
- Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
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What Every Creative Writer Should Know
Creative Writers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Related Job Titles
- Program Writer
- Author
- Video Game Script Writer
- Fiction and Nonfiction Author
- Dramatist
Are There Job Opportunities for Creative Writers?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 131,200 jobs in the United States for Creative Writer. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 10,000 new jobs for Creative Writer by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 12,600 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Creative Writer are Utah, Washington, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, New Mexico, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Creative Writers Salary
The average yearly salary of a Creative Writer ranges between $31,700 and $121,670.
Creative Writers who work in District of Columbia, California, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Creative Writers in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $58,590 |
| Alaska | $64,200 |
| Arizona | $55,410 |
| Arkansas | $48,670 |
| California | $96,910 |
| Colorado | $65,450 |
| Connecticut | $78,440 |
| Delaware | $60,690 |
| District of Columbia | $101,690 |
| Florida | $53,140 |
| Georgia | $63,260 |
| Hawaii | $50,740 |
| Idaho | $52,570 |
| Illinois | $68,710 |
| Indiana | $61,920 |
| Iowa | $50,680 |
| Kansas | $62,670 |
| Kentucky | $54,320 |
| Louisiana | $44,710 |
| Maine | $61,090 |
| Maryland | $75,430 |
| Massachusetts | $70,000 |
| Michigan | $60,850 |
| Minnesota | $67,300 |
| Mississippi | $53,810 |
| Missouri | $57,420 |
| Montana | $47,440 |
| Nebraska | $45,280 |
| Nevada | $53,730 |
| New Hampshire | $56,850 |
| New Jersey | $81,160 |
| New Mexico | $49,460 |
| New York | $86,380 |
| North Carolina | $67,250 |
| North Dakota | $48,060 |
| Ohio | $48,380 |
| Oklahoma | $50,490 |
| Oregon | $69,050 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,140 |
| Rhode Island | $63,820 |
| South Dakota | $49,410 |
| Tennessee | $55,370 |
| Texas | $56,680 |
| Utah | $54,660 |
| Vermont | $62,260 |
| Virginia | $68,600 |
| Washington | $65,200 |
| West Virginia | $64,480 |
| Wisconsin | $59,360 |
What Tools do Creative Writers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Creative Writers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Word
- Google Drive
- WordPress
- Text to speech software
- WhiteSmoke
- OpenOffice.org
- AutoCrit Editing Wizard
- Bare Bones Software BBEdit
- Tumblr
Becoming a Creative Writer
What kind of Creative Writer requirements are there?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Creative Writers Work
The table below shows the approximate number of Creative Writers employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those who work as a Creative Writer sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: UNU-WIDER from Helsinki, Finland via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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