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Poets, Lyricists & Creative Writers

Also called: Author, Freelance Writer, Novelist, Songwriter

What they do:
Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.
On the job, you would:
  • Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
  • Choose subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events.
  • Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly.

Knowledge

Arts and Humanities
  • English language
  • music, dance, visual arts, drama, or sculpture
Communications
  • multimedia
Business
  • sales and marketing

Skills

Basic Skills
  • writing things for co-workers or customers
  • reading work related information
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal
  • communicate by writing
  • read and understand what is written
Ideas and Logic
  • create new and original ideas
  • come up with lots of ideas

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
creating, designing, and making your own rules.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Innovation
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Independence
  • Attention to Detail

Technology

Examples of the technology used in this career will be available soon.

Education

Education: (rated 4 of 5)
high school diploma or
bachelor's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$55,870
per year, on average
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about poets, lyricists and creative writers.