Writer

Updated August 5, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

What is this job like?

Writers and editors write! Writers write stories, or they write about things that really happened. They write books, and they write articles for magazines or journals. They write for newspapers, and they write for radio and television. Editors tell writers what to write about. They also decide if what a writer has written is good or not so good. If it is not so good, they change the words to make it good. When a writer begins to write, he or she gathers information. The writer may get this information just by looking or by doing research at the library. Or the writer may interview someone. Writers write something, and then they change it. Then they change it again. They keep changing it until they feel they get it right.

There are different kinds of writers. News writers work for newspapers or news broadcasts. Columnists write about people, places, and things. Editorial writers write how they feel about something. Technical writers give instructions on how to use a machine or how to do something. Copy writers write ads.

Editors write, too. They also review, rewrite, and change the words of writers. But their most important job is to plan what should be in a book, a magazine, or a newspaper. They decide what to print based on what they think readers will want to read. They assign topics to writers. And they make sure that the book, magazine, or newspaper comes out on time.

Editors have people who help them do their jobs. These workers are called assistant editors or editorial assistants. Sometimes they are called copy editors or production assistants. They correct errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. They make sure that a book or a magazine is correct and easy to read. They also may do research for writers. They figure out what each page of the book or magazine should look like. Most writers and editors use computers to help them do their work.

Some writers and editors work in quiet offices. Others work in noisy rooms. Some writers and editors have to travel. Others talk to people over the telephone or go to the library.

Writers and editors work 35 to 40 hours a week. Some work at night or on weekends. Writers may work overtime to meet deadlines or to cover the latest stories. They often face a lot of pressure to meet the deadlines. On some jobs, deadlines are daily.

How do you get ready?

A writer or editor must have a college degree. To get a job, the best subjects to study are communications, journalism, and English. If you are going to be a technical writer, you may want to study science. If you write well, you may be able to pick up technical knowledge on the job.

If you want to be a writer or editor, you must be able to write clearly. You should also love to write. You should be creative and curious about the world. A good writer or editor has a lot of knowledge and doesn't give up easily. Editors must have good judgment so they can figure out what to accept and what to reject. They often have to guide and encourage others in their work. You may be able to get a job on your high school or college newspaper. Of course, you won't get paid, but you will get experience.

You may be able to be an intern in a firm. Interns write short pieces and do research. That way, they learn about the publishing business.

See also: Notable Writers.