Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
O*NET files this work under Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers: people who create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance. The skills rated most useful are writing, reading comprehension, and speaking. The job can ask you to write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays. With a code of AIE, this is mostly a job for people drawn to creative work with room for original expression. Investigative interests also help, rated 3.6 out of 7. Getting in usually takes a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience, a level O*NET calls considerable preparation. If you want creative work with room for original expression, keep it on your list. If you need hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, it may feel thin.
What they do
Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.
Main tasks
- Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
- Develop factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue to create material.
- Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
- Choose subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events.
- Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
- Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
Skills
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
Who this career fits
May suit you if
- You want room to make something in your own way.
- You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
- You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
- You are comfortable relying on writing and reading comprehension.
May not suit you if
- You prefer clear instructions to open creative briefs.
- You want to work with your hands for most of the day. Realistic rates 1.2 out of 7 here.
- You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.
Interest profile
O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code AIE takes the three highest, and Artistic comes first here.
Preparation
Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.
Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.
Also called
- Author
- Creative Writer
- Fiction Writer
- Freelance Writer
- Librettist
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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.