Occupation

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Human Advantage 64%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.4 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

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

Also Known As: Author, Blog Content Writer, Blog Writer, Blogger, Children's Author, Comic Book Writer, Comic Writer, Community Blogger +49 more

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Core Tasks

  1. Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
  2. Develop factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue to create material.
  3. Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
  4. Choose subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events.
  5. Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
  6. Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
  7. Confer with clients, editors, publishers, or producers to discuss changes or revisions to written material.
  8. Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly.
  9. Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.
  10. Attend book launches and publicity events, or conduct public readings.

Supplemental Tasks (6)

  1. Write narrative, dramatic, lyric, or other types of poetry for publication.
  2. Write words to fit musical compositions, including lyrics for operas, musical plays, and choral works.
  3. Adapt text to accommodate musical requirements of composers and singers.
  4. Write humorous material for publication, or for performances such as comedy routines, gags, and comedy shows.
  5. Teach writing classes.
  6. Collaborate with other writers on specific projects.

Education & Training

Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
32%
Some College Courses
27%
Less than a High School Diploma
14%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
9%
Master's Degree
9%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.
9%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Facebook
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • WordPress

Software (35)

  • Apple iWork Pages
  • Ashley Software Writer's Blocks
  • AutoCrit Editing Wizard
  • Bare Bones Software BBEdit
  • Blogger
  • Contour Storyteller
  • Google Drive
  • Literature & Latte Scrivener
  • MasterWriter
  • OpenOffice.org
  • Power Structure
  • Ravenshead Services WriteItNow
  • Red Sweater MarsEdit
  • RoughDraft
  • ScriptPerfection Power Writer
  • Skype
  • Social media software
  • Storymind StoryWeaver
  • Text to speech software
  • Tumblr
  • WhiteSmoke
  • Write Brothers Dramatica
  • WriteWay Pro
  • YouTube

Tools & Equipment (4)

  • Computer laser printers
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Personal computers
  • Tablet computers

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Media Production & Broadcasting Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
Zone 4
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