WRITER’S BRAINSTORM: Think about the last time you read something you DIDN’T like. Can you identify WHY you didn’t like it?

We’re going to talk about… Me! An honest-to-gosh writer. Real-life jobs for real-life writers. How to identify crappy writing and fix it. The pros and cons of being a writer. How you can develop your own writing and your own writing career.

About me

I started writing because I loved to tell stories and play with words.

I discovered I was good at it.

My family said, “You’re so smart. Why would you waste your life writing?”

My family said, “You’ll never find a job as a writer.”

Fortunately, they were wrong. Writing for a university president Public relations writing (press releases, publications, radio ad scripts, alumni magazines, web text) Freelance projects: book reviews, copywriting for a design agency, editing an alumni newsletter Blogging Copyediting for a publishing house Two full-length manuscripts; nearly finished with the first draft of a third manuscript

Writing Jobs

Creative Writers & Writing Jobs Novelists/Authors (fiction, young adult books, children’s books, graphic novels, how-to books, histories, other non-fiction) Poets Screenwriters Playwrights Song Writers

More Creative Writers & Writing Jobs Speech Writers Game Writers Greeting Card Writers Food Writers

Technical & Specialized Writing Jobs Journalists (newspapers, magazines, web/social media, television, radio) Travel Writers Sports Writers Editorial Writers (food critics, movie critics, op-ed writers) Translators Copywriters (catalogs, web media, etc.)

More Technical & Specialized Writing Jobs Public Relations & Communications Writers Technical Writers (instruction manuals, technical guides, repair manuals) Marketing & Advertising Writers Web Content Writers Grant Writers Editors (acquisitions editors, production editors, copy editors)

Jobs that require writing

The need to communicate ideas makes all of us writers in the workplace. Letters Invoices Advertising Signs Menus Web Media Instructions Receipts Coupons Posters Labels

Most professions demand good writing skills. Teachers & Professors Lawyers, Judges, Police Officers Medical Professionals Politicians Restaurateurs Hospitality Services Clergy Members/Ministers Funeral Home Directors Engineers Scientists Machinists Manufacturers Sales Staff Maintenance Staff

Good v. Bad Writing

We know bad writing when we see it. Bad grammar. Too hard to read. Poor word choice. Doesn’t make sense. Too many words. Not enough words. Bad information. Boring!

A great writer knows how to communicate an idea appropriately and clearly to a target audience.

Good grammar. Readable. Careful word choice. Logical writing. The right amount of words. Carefully researched and fact-checked information.

The upside of being a writer: The ability and freedom to creatively express yourself. The potential to earn money for your work. The potential to share your ideas with a wide audience. The potential for others to like your work. Freelance writers can set their own hours and work from home in their pajamas.

An awesome writing moment is when someone tells you they like your work.

The downside of being a writer: A single book may take months or years to finish. Rejection and negative feedback. Sometimes it’s hard to stay focused! Freelance writers may have to supplement their income with a day job (or night job). Family members aren’t always supportive. Writing can get lonely when you work from home.

Good writers revise A LOT.

Brace yourself for rejection.

Writing Stats A typical romance novel has between 60,000 and 90,000 words. A typical science fiction novel has between 90,000 and 120,000 words. Rejected: J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, John Grisham, Madeline L’Engle, Judy Blume, Meg Cabot, and Dr. Suess all received numerous rejection letters before publishing books that are now famous.

Become a better writer.

Write.

Read.

Watch television, movies, & plays.

Listen to music & audiobooks.

Learn as much as you can.

Observe.

Keep writing.

Ways to practice writing: Experiment with different writing styles (short stories, non-fiction, poetry, etc.) Form a writing group. Journal. Read your writing out loud.

Put your work out there were others can respond to it! Blogging, Tweeting, & Other Social Media Pitch a story to your local paper School newspaper and yearbook Niche magazines

More on blogging Free blogging sites: Wordpress, Blogger, Live Journal Remember: One it’s on the internet, it’s there forever Themed blogs survive longer than open blogs Blog with other writers Develop photography or illustration skills

Education

Educational opportunities for writers: During High School: Challenge yourself! Make time in your schedule for classes that make you think and practice writing. In College: Major, minor, or take classes in English, literature, creative writing, grammar, philology, professional writing, journalism, technical writing, game writing, screenwriting.

Other Educational Opportunities: Conferences for Writers Organizations for Writers Books on Writing and Grammar Websites on Writing and Grammar

I would go to sleep at night feeling that I'd never be published. But I'd wake up in the morning convinced I would be. Each time I sent a story or book off to a publisher, I would sit down and begin something new. I was learning more with each effort. I was determined. Determination and hard work are as important as talent. – Judy Blume