From the article: Writer and Editor: Career Information
When choosing a career, it is helpful to get information about it from those who actually work in the occupation one is considering. Please share information about your career as a writer or editor so that those thinking of entering this field can make an informed decision.
- Are you are a writer or an editor?
- Describe what you do as a writer or editor?
- What do you like about being a writer or editor? What don't you like about it?
- With the proper training, how easy or difficult is it for someone to get an entry level job as a writer or editor?
- Are you happy you became a writer or editor? Why or why not?
Writer here at about.com
- Hi all, I'm a writer here at about.com, and a career freelance writer. As a freelancer, I work on three or four recuring clients. About.com is one of those. I am also the editorial manager of a local niche magazine, and have some recurring assignments from bigger magazines. Then, I spend some time "hustling" other work. For example, one short term project that I have right now is editing an encyclopedia for a big publisher. I just completed a set of 4 brochures for a local non profit (copy only, then passed them on to a graphic designer). My next project is writing an article series for a local newspaper. I like being a writer because it fits my personality. If left to my own pace, I get things done. I also tend to get bored very easily, so I need room to pursue my own interests. I feel that writing is a little difficult to get into these days because the market is inundated. I am quite happy with my job, and have turned down full time 9-5 positions in recent years.
- —Guest freelanceAllena
I Fell Into It
- I have worked both as a freelance writer and editor, although up until recently neither was my full-time job. For myself, I find editing takes a lot of attention to both detail and the overall picture, but writing is much tougher. Writing takes a tremendous amount of energy and organization. On another level, doing freelance writing and editing also takes personal organization. As a freelancer, I love working at home and setting my own hours. Since I have a chronic health problem, this is especially important to me. The thing I like the least is the research...but since most of my writing is about abusive relationships and groups, that's not surprising. I fell into writing as a means to share my knowledge and help others. Am I happy about becoming a writer (and sometime editor)? Most certainly. When you have something that you love or that you feel strongly about, writing is an intensely powerful way to share that with others.
- —BethPete
writer and editor - both are fun
- I think of myself as primarily a writer, but I do some editing from time to time. I prefer writing, as it feels more creative, but editing can be satisfying to take a poor piece of prose and tighten it into something good. As a writer, I write between 3 and 5 articles a week. Most of my time is spent researching the topics I'll write about. So that when I'm finally ready to write the article it usually takes no more than an hour. I like that I can be both creative and helpful as a writer. I don't like working alone all the time. I don't think it is very hard to become a writer, but it can be very hard to get paid well for it. I would say that aspiring writers should focus on writing, and less on getting published. If you only want to be published, you're like most of us. But if you can't stop yourself from writing about it, then you're a writer.
- —webdesign
