- knowledge of English language
- excellent written communication skills
- persistence and determination
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- ambition and a desire to succeed
- knowledge of media production and communication
- thinking and reasoning skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Your day-to-day activities may include:
- choosing a subject based on personal interest, or at the request of an agent or publisher
- coming up with ideas, plots or content headings
- researching information using the internet, libraries, site visits and personal interviews
- developing your story, article, blog, review or instruction manual
- submitting your draft to a publisher or editor
- revising your work after getting feedback
- uploading your work to websites or social media, or looking for publishing opportunities
- attending book signings, readings and discussions of your work
- running writing workshops
You could work in an office.
You could self-publish, in traditional print format, online or through e-books.
You might be able to promote your work by entering literary competitions, become a book critic or teach creative writing in colleges.
You'll find more advice about careers in writing through the National Association of Writers' Groups.
The Poetry Society and Writers & Artists have more details on writing competitions.
Writers & Artists also has industry advice on being a writer and submitting work for publishing or self-publishing. It publishes the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, which has information on literary agents, publishers, newspapers and magazines.
