Writer

• selecting subject matter based on personal interests;
• receiving assignments from agents and publishers;
• reading established scripts;
• utilising application and discipline to write and rewrite continuously, and maintain originality;
• practising and developing the literary skills of story writing, creativity, imagination and the ability to get inside people's heads;
• using literary skills to make characters, plots and scenes believable and realistic;
• developing themes, plots, characters and storylines;
• working to tight deadlines, especially for theatre, screen and radio;
• utilising excellent research skills in order to research background and characters for books;
• submitting material for publication;
• keeping up to date with market trends;
• rewriting and adapting other material, eg novels and stage plays, for broadcasting;
• undertaking research for potential writing projects, including conducting interviews;
• exercising self-discipline and time management skills to organise own writing and other financial employment opportunities;
• developing financial management and self-employment skills;
• working alone for much of the time; persevering with the solitary nature of the work;
• encouraging and understanding criticism;
• liaising with publishers, agents, script editors, producers and directors;
• acting upon criticism and comments in the most appropriate manner;
• uncovering and pursuing any potential publication opportunities and staying positive and determined in the face of setbacks;
• maintaining a realistic knowledge of the publication market and the energy and enthusiasm needed to succeed in the world of literature;
• attending courses and workshops to improve and build upon writing skills.

• Many writers will supplement their income with other paid work such as teaching, lecturing, running workshops and therapeutic writing. This can often cause large amounts of frustration for those who want to concentrate on their own writing.
• Working hours typically include regular unsocial hours.
• It can be solitary work and involves little contact with others.
• Applying for publication can be a long and arduous process.
• Getting a good agent is important and can be difficult. How to approach this depends on the medium a person is writing for. Some agents will not take writers on until a play is in production, while some book publishing houses will not accept manuscripts except through an agent. It is vitally important to research the medium being written for to ensure approaches for publication and production are made in the correct way.
• While the majority of writers are self-employed freelancers, they may be taken on for short-term contracts in television, radio, screen or theatre.
• Positions occur more frequently in London, but writers may reside anywhere.
• The gender balance in writing favours males, but only by three to two.
• As the work can often be solitary it can be very stressful and there is little job security. It does, however, have the benefits of being able to work in your own time and to combine work with family life.
• The nature of some work may require entering into personal fictional worlds, which can sometimes be at a cost to reality, for example relationships, finances and living arrangements.
• Travel within a working day, absence from home at night or overseas work or travel are all uncommon.

Courses