Author

An author is someone who has written an original work and had it published. Some authors devote their careers to studying and practicing the craft of writing, while some pursue other careers and become writers when they feel they have something that needs to be shared. The style and format of writing that an author chooses depends both on their interests and the job opportunities. Some will write for entertainment purposes while others engage in academic writing or journalistic pursuits. The format an author chooses is almost unlimited, but shorter styles like articles, blogs, and reviews, or longer ones like books, novels, and plays are some of the most common.

Writing as a career has a low barrier for entry as a side job picking up writing gigs part-time. But a full-time career will require serious commitment to improving writing ability, producing as much content as possible, and building a professional network. Starting something like a personal blog and writing for a school paper or magazine can be a great way to begin writing professionally.

Creativity and determination are some of the most important traits to foster as a writer; thinking outside of the box will help you stand out and get noticed for your abilities. This goes not only for writing style, but also for the type of content and format one pursues. Major social media accounts need writers to craft their online presence, advertising agencies need slogans, and students need textbooks — take time to notice all the different things you read in a given day, and the way writers influence our lives will be apparent.

Writers must be comfortable working independently for long periods and meeting deadlines. Musicians can make excellent writers due to their work ethic, creativity, and familiarity with getting something prepared by a set date.