Poets, Lyricists and Poets, Lyricists and Creative WritersCreative Writers

EducationEducation

Most of these occupations require a Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not. some do not.

SkillsSkills

WritingWriting Reading ComprehensionReading Comprehension Active ListeningActive Listening Social PerceptivenessSocial Perceptiveness Time ManagementTime Management Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking Active LearningActive Learning

PersonalityPersonality ArtisticArtistic — Artistic  — Artistic

occupations frequently occupations frequently involve working with forms, involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They designs and patterns. They often require self-expression often require self-expression and the work can be done and the work can be done without following a clear set without following a clear set of rules.of rules.

InvestigativeInvestigative —  — Investigative occupations Investigative occupations frequently involve working frequently involve working with ideas, and require an with ideas, and require an extensive amount of extensive amount of thinking. These occupations thinking. These occupations can involve searching for can involve searching for facts and figuring out facts and figuring out problems mentally.problems mentally.

Daily TasksDaily Tasks

11. Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of . Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.clients, publishers, directors, or producers.

22. Choose subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and . Choose subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events.experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events.

33. Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly.. Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly.44. Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to . Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to

publishers or producers.publishers or producers.55. Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.. Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.66. Write fiction or nonfiction prose such as short stories, novels, biographies, . Write fiction or nonfiction prose such as short stories, novels, biographies,

articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.77. Develop factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological . Develop factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological

analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue, to create material.analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue, to create material.88. Confer with clients, editors, publishers, or producers to discuss changes or . Confer with clients, editors, publishers, or producers to discuss changes or

revisions to written material.revisions to written material.99. Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using . Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using

sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.1010. Write narrative, dramatic, lyric, or other types of poetry for publication.. Write narrative, dramatic, lyric, or other types of poetry for publication.1111. Attend book launches and publicity events, or conduct public readings.. Attend book launches and publicity events, or conduct public readings.

Working ConditionsWorking Conditions

Involve working with forms, Involve working with forms, designs, and patterns. They designs, and patterns. They often require self –often require self –expression and the work expression and the work can be done without can be done without following a clear set of following a clear set of rules. Creating original rules. Creating original written works, such as written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics for poetry or song lyrics for publication or performance.publication or performance.

EarningsEarnings

Median annual earnings for salaried Median annual earnings for salaried writers and authors were $48,640 in writers and authors were $48,640 in May 2006.May 2006.

Related CareersRelated Careers Fine Artists, Including PainterFine Artists, Including Painter

s, Sculptors, and Illustratorss, Sculptors, and Illustrators ActorsActors Music Composers and Music Composers and

Arrangers Arrangers  SingersSingers   Radio and Television AnnouncRadio and Television Announc

ersers Broadcast Broadcast Film and Video Editors Film and Video Editors  News Analysts News Analysts  Reporters and CorrespondentsReporters and Correspondents

   EditorsEditors   Technical Writers Technical Writers 

Career PathCareer Path

A minimum of two to A minimum of two to four years of work-four years of work-related skill, related skill, knowledge, or knowledge, or experience is needed experience is needed for these for these occupations. For occupations. For example, an example, an accountant must accountant must complete four years complete four years of college and work of college and work for several years in for several years in accounting to be accounting to be considered qualified. considered qualified.

AdvantagesAdvantages

Freedom to Make DecisionsFreedom to Make Decisions Importance of Being Exact or Importance of Being Exact or

AccurateAccurate Duration of Typical Work Duration of Typical Work

WeekWeek

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Spend Time SittingSpend Time Sitting Level of Competition Level of Competition