20 Creative Writing Careers
Creative Writing Jobs -- They're out there!
If creative writing is your passion, then you’d probably enjoy a career in which you could spend all day (or at least most of the day) pursuing that passion.
But creative writing is an artistic pursuit, and we all know that a career in the arts isn’t easy to come by. It takes hard work, drive, dedication, a whole lot of spirit, and often, a willingness to take big financial risks — as in not having much money while you’re waiting for your big break.
When we think of people who make a living through writing, novelists and journalists come to mind immediately. But what other jobs are out there for folks who want to make creative writing the work that puts food on the table?
The Creative Writing Career List
Here’s a list of 20 creative writing jobs that you can consider for your career path. I’m not making any promises. You have to go out and find them yourself, but these are jobs that exist. You just have to look for them and then land them.
- Greeting Card Author
- Comic Book Writer
- Novelist
- Creativity Coach
- Writing Coach
- Advertising (Creative)
- Screenwriter
- Songwriter (Lyricist)
- Freelance Short Fiction Writer
- Creative Writing Instructor (give your own workshops)
- Legacy Writer (write people’s bios and family histories)
- Ghostwriter
- Travel Writer (if you travel)
- Article Writer (write, submit, repeat)
- Columnist
- Video Game Writer (includes storytelling/fiction!)
- Personal Poet (write personalized poems for weddings, funerals, childbirths, etc.)
- Playwright
- Blogger (don’t tell me you don’t have a blog yet!)
- Creative Writing Consultant
Now, I’m not saying you’re going to make a whole lot to live on with some of these creative writing jobs but if you do what you love, the money (i.e. the success) just might follow. You’ll never know unless you try, right?
Do you have any creative writing careers to add to this list? Share your ideas by leaving a comment.
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I find it so difficult to consolidate my thoughts when it comes to career paths. I know this is only a short post with some fairly obvious suggestions, but I really have to say cheers for arranging them in a way that means I can go “Oh yeah. I could do that. Or that..”
Baffled in the world of writing.
Thanks GrapeMe. I’m sure there are many more creative writing career paths, and hopefully some folks will stop by and add their suggestions. What I wanted to do with this post was present some starter ideas for career building. If you are in school or have a full time job, then these are great ways to get your feet wet and you never know where these jobs will take you! Good luck to you
Great post!
I can tell you from personal experience that it IS possible to make a career in creative writing. My dream was to launch an on-line store where I could showcase and sell e-mail subscriptions to my collection of short stories. Additionally, I wanted to foster other short story writers by sponsoring short story contests.
Now, nearly three years later, LongShortStories is happily chugging along like The Little Engine That Could, bringing the best in short fiction to an ever-widening appreciative global audience.
It does take patience and perseverence, along with a huge leap of faith in yourself and the reading community at large, to create and maintain such an ongoing venture.
Am I successful? Yes. Am I rich? Yes, if by that you define success and richness as living out one’s creative dream. For that, I am so grateful to my loyal readers and contest entrants who see the power in the short story form.
Go for it, I say!
Regards,
Wayne C. Long
Writer/Editor/Digital Publisher
http://www.LongShortStories.com
Where the Short Story LIVES!
That’s one of the reasons I wanted to present this list — you never know where it will lead if you just start by dipping your toes in the water. And I think for those of us who are creative or artistic, there’s a true need to engage our creativity even if it’s not our full time work. And if we can bring in a little extra spending money doing something we love, all the better!
I’ve heard of most of these, except personal poet. Of course, the creative job (though not about writing) that I wonder most about is: who gets hired to design those patterns on paper towels?
.-= Kelvin Kao´s last blog ..Puppetry Workshop with Allan Trautman =-.
I’ve been to several websites for personalized poetry. Actually, that’s something I briefly considered doing many years ago, but ultimately chose another path. Funny you mention the paper towel patterns because I have wondered the same thing many, many times!
Children’s book author.
I completely agree with you that there is usually a way to turn your passion into a successful career, even if it involves looking for unconventional routes to do what you love.
Yes, those unconventional routes are the ones forged by pioneers, people who were compelled to follow their dreams. Reminds me of the saying, “Do what you love and the money will follow.”
Nice list, Melissa.
I routinely participate in two of the twenty on your list. However, I would be hard pressed to call either a career. More of a labor of love, compulsion, passion than a reliable way to pay the bills — even though I participate daily. Still, I am incredibly fortunate. I would not change my vague professional choices for anything. Best of success to all who tackle anything on the above list.
.-= Devin´s last blog ..The Creative Writer’s Bill of Rights =-.
Thanks Devin. I believe that if we combine our passion with a desire to make a living doing what we love, anything is possible. Best of luck to you!
I couldn’t agree more. I mostly just do what I love and somehow the bills get paid. believing in yourself is also very helpful — of course there is no reason not to.
I love what you said: “I mostly just do what I love and somehow the bills get paid.” I think that’s worth repeating!
Great list of creative writing careers, Melissa. To this list, I would like to add:
1. Letter writer — writing personal and business letters for clients.
2. Resume writer
…and you’re right. If you do what you love, the money frequently DOES follow!
Thanks Christine — these are great additions to the list. Resume and cover letter writing are especially notable because one can make a good living in that field. However, I’m not sure it constitutes as creative writing so much as business writing. In any case, definitely worth mentioning!