Writers plan and write literary or other written work for publication or performance. Writers may create original pieces of written work that can take the form of poetry, novels, short stories, biographies, plays, or film, radio and television scripts. They may also write for multimedia distribution, such as CD-ROMs and the Internet.
Writers choose themes or subjects for written work, conduct research into the subject, assemble background material and obtain other necessary data. They plan and organize material and write the work. They revise or edit the work, ensuring coherence of style, proper development of theme, plot and characterization, and correct referencing. They need to set out their original manuscripts so that they are clear and legible, that is, either typed or word-processed, before submitting their work to a publisher.
Writers often work collaboratively with visual or performance artists and other specialists such as scriptwriters, software developers, graphic designers and illustrators, to create multimedia works.
Writers may specialize in:
- fiction writing
- general interest non-fiction
- journalism
- children's books
- educational textbook writing
- historical writing and transferring oral histories into written form
- speech writing
- corporate or training videos
- technical writing
- documentation preparation
- freelance editorial services
- helping others to prepare their manuscripts for publication
- scriptwriting or playwriting
- documentary writing
- humour or comedy writing
- copywriting
- editing text into accessible 'plain English' form
- in writing texts for musical works.
Work may be commissioned by: a book or magazine publisher, a theatre, film or television production company, or radio or television station or network. Alternatively, work may be sold by the writers themselves or by their literary agents.
In the business environment, writers can work as communication specialists. They may design training seminars or packages, facilitate in-workplace discussions, identify problems in documentation and conduct communication audits.
Those interested in writing should consider related occupations until they are able to establish themselves as writers. These may include journalism, editing, teaching and advertising. New technologies have increased the expectation that writers will have multimedia skills and will work on personal computers, submitting their work on disk.
Satisfying Aspects
- being creative
- influencing and entertaining the public
- the variety and excitement of the work
Demanding aspects
- suffering from "writer's block" on occasion
- pressure of working to deadlines
- long working hours
- having to check facts endlessly
Requirements
- observant and inquisitive approach to people and their environment
- ability to think and write creatively and clearly
- excellent understanding of the English language, particularly grammar and spelling
- concentration, perseverance and dedication
- good written and spoken language ability
- good general knowledge
- initiative and resourcefulness
- good memory and eye for detail
- at least basic computer skills
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: Languages
Recommended Subjects: History and Physical Sciences or Life Sciences
Training
Although it is not essential to train to become a writer, further qualifications can make entry into this field more accessible.
Degree: BA with suitable majors, such as languages, - UJ, UZ, UKZN, US, UNISA, Communication - UFH, UFS, UZ, NWU, Monash, and Journalism - UJ, NWU, US, UZ, UFS, Wits, RU, UFH
Diploma: N.Dip: Journalism - CPUT, TUT, UJ, DUT
Some publications prefer a university degree in languages, communication, or journalism together with relevant experience in newspaper or magazine publishing.
In most cases a university of technology diploma provides a good foundation.
Employer
Writers are usually self-employed or work under contract. Business writers may be employed by government departments and private businesses. Technical writers are usually employed under contract to publishers.
- newspaper firms
- magazine firms
- book publishing firms
- educational institutions, as teacher or lecturer
- self-employment, with enough experience and capital, can open own publishing business
Contact
Tshwane University of Technology
Private Bag X860
Pretoria, 0001
Tel: (012) 318-5911
Fax: (012) 318-5845
Any newspaper or magazine office
www.techpta.ac.za