Writer

Could you be Scotland's next top author or poet? Perhaps you see yourself as a blogger or travel correspondent? As a writer, you'll delve into all sorts of creative projects!

Working as an author

As an author, you'll write novels, children's books or other works of fiction such as self-help books or biographies. You may also produce short stories and poetry. Some authors specialise in a specific type of book. For example, you could write a series of crime novels like Scottish author Ian Rankin.

If you become a successful author, you may get the chance to host book signings, readings and launch parties.

Working as a feature writer, correspondent or reviewer

Writers also create content for newspapers, magazines, film or television. For example, you may be asked to write an obituary piece about a well-known person for a broadsheet newspaper. Or you could help write content for an audio drama on BBC Radio Scotland.

Nowadays, writers also have the option of publishing their work on social media, websites or blogs. This is a good way of promoting your articles to a huge audience while potentially making money. Many authors also self-publish their book through services like Amazon or Lulu.

Some writers carve out a niche as a reviewer. You could go to restaurants, movies, plays, events or read books then write reviews of them for a publication. For inspiration, just look at restaurant reviewer Tam Cowan or Flora Gosling – a professional theatre critic.

You could also work as a travel writer. In this role, you'll create features, guide books and reviews about places you've been. Travel writers may also produce blogs or long-form social media threads.

Working as a technical author

If you have strong knowledge or experience in a particular product or industry, you could work as a technical author. In this role, you’ll create clear and accurate instruction manuals and user guides for a variety of products, from computers to kitchen appliances. You may also produce online documentation for IT services and software.

Entry into writing careers can be very competitive. Many writers – especially novelists and poets – also need another job to support themselves.

Writers are generally freelance, which means you'll be self-employed. You'll choose your own working hours, although you may still have to meet publishing deadlines.

Your tasks might include:

• choosing your subject based on your own interests or on a commission given by agents and publishers

• coming up with themes, ideas and plots

• using the internet, libraries and interviews to research subjects

• submitting drafts of articles or books to publishers and agents

• editing your work after receiving feedback

• pitching ideas to commissioning editors and chasing publishing opportunities

• Scottish Book Trust – find advice and information about writing a book

• Creative Scotland – explore careers you could get into across the creative industries

• Scottish Poetry Library – check out this advice for aspiring poets

• Moniack Mhor – learn about Scotland's national writing centre

• Writers and Artists – discover expert articles and resources for people who want to write a book