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Creative Writer/Poet

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AVG. SALARY

$61,750

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EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What They Do

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers Career Video

About This Career

Creates original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

This career is part of the Arts, Audio-Video Technology and Communications cluster Journalism and Broadcasting pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Writes fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
  • Develops factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue to create material.
  • Prepares works in appropriate format for publication, and sends them to publishers or producers.
  • Revises written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
  • Confers with clients, editors, publishers, or producers to discuss changes or revisions to written material.
  • Chooses subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events.
  • Conducts research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
  • Plans project arrangements or outlines, and organizes material accordingly.
  • Follows appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.
  • Attends book launches and publicity events, or conducts public readings.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
  • Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Regular working hours and limited travel

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Author
  • Book Author
  • Children's Book Author
  • Fiction Author
  • Freelance Writer
  • Lyricist — Writes words to be sung or spoken to accompaniment of music.
  • Novelist
  • Songwriter

Contact

  • Email Support
  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900
  • North Dakota Career Resource Network
    ndcrn@nd.gov | (701) 328-9733

Support