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Career Details

27-3043.05 - Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers


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


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
136,500
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
139,700
Estimate
Change in Employment
+3,100
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+2.3%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • 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.
  • Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly.
  • Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
  • Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.
  • 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.
  • Confer with clients, editors, publishers, or producers to discuss changes or revisions to written material.
  • Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
  • Attend book launches and publicity events, or conduct public readings.
  • Collaborate with other writers on specific projects.
Supplemental
  • Write narrative, dramatic, lyric, or other types of poetry for publication.
  • Write words to fit musical compositions, including lyrics for operas, musical plays, and choral works.
  • Adapt text to accommodate musical requirements of composers and singers.
  • Teach writing classes.
  • Write humorous material for publication, or for performances such as comedy routines, gags, and comedy shows.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 English Language
  • 98%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Communications and Media
  • 78%
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
 Psychology
  • 68%
    Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
 Sociology and Anthropology
  • 59%
    Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
 Clerical
  • 58%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Sales and Marketing
  • 58%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 58%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Fine Arts
  • 57%
    Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
 History and Archeology
  • 52%
    Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Computer printers
  • Computer laser printers
 Duplicating machines
  • Laser facsimile machines
 Computers
  • Personal computers
  • Tablet computers
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
 Development software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe IllustratorHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesignHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
  • Apple iWorks Pages
  • Ashley Software Writer's Blocks
  • AutoCrit Editing Wizard
  • Bare Bones Software BBEdit
  • Blogger
  • Contour Storyteller
  • FacebookHOT
  • Literature & Latte Scrivener
  • MasterWriter
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Power Structure
  • Ravenshead Services WriteItNow
  • Red Sweater MarsEdit
  • RoughDraft
  • ScriptPerfection Power Writer
  • Social media software
  • Storymind StoryWeaver
  • Tumblr
  • WhiteSmoke
  • WordPress
  • Write Brothers Dramatica
  • WriteWay Pro
  • YouTubeHOT
 Business function specific software
  • Google DriveHOT
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • OpenOffice.org
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Specialty
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Laurel Ridge Community College
Northern Virginia Community College
Wytheville Community College