Becoming a professional writer

A person who sings is a singer, a person who teaches is a teacher, a person who drives is a driver, etc. What about a person who writes? A writer? Almost everyone would have written one thing or the other in the course of his or her lifetime, even the illiterate ones. Does that make every Tom, Dick and Harry a writer? If not, who then is a writer?

According to the free online encyclopaedia, Wikipedia, a writer is anyone who creates a written work, though the word usually designates those who write creatively or professionally, as well as those who have written in many different forms (“Writing,” 2009). A writer who has a touch of professionalism and makes a living from his writings is considered a professional writer.

Becoming a professional writer needs no special skill or training. Anybody from anywhere can venture into professional writing and succeed in it. The most important thing is the diligence and determination of the person involved. This is essential because to make something out of writing, the person has to be convinced that success is sure. Once this is on ground, all other necessary general skills would be acquired. Another interesting thing is the fact that the person learns while he writes.

In addition, other things that characterize the work of professional writers include ability to write in clear and simple language, and at the same time providing a lucid explanation of the subject matter. The writer, with the chosen writing style, must be able to communicate easily and give a pictorial description of the subject being discussed in such a way that will create a vivid mental image in the minds of the readers. A good professional writer must be empirical and proficient in the use of rhetoric.

However, a professional writer must avoid copying the works and ideas of others and claiming it as original. This is known as plagiarism. But at times, quoting other people’s words and works may lend credence and authority to the person’s writing. In this case, the quotations have to be used with carefulness. Including too many quotations in a particular document, or quoting a poorly written or confusing article may weaken the overall quality and impact of the writer’s work. In other words, the writer’s work must be unique and original.

Professional writing can be in different forms (including but not limited to) music, prose and poetry. Accordingly, a writer in specialist mode may rank as a poet, novelist, copywriter, composer, lyricist, playwright, journalist, screenwriter for film or television, etc (“Writing,” 2009).

Benefits of professional writing are numerous to mention. Professional writers make money from the sales of their published articles. This is achieved through the use of two major platforms – the print media such as magazines, newspapers, books, etc, or the emerging online media, the internet. Also, writing brings along a sense of pleasure and satisfaction. Writing is a delightful experience that allows the exploration of the writer’s imagination, and, at the same time, development of the writer’s intellectual prowess. In short, writing goes hand-in-hand with reading, and so is good for academic excellence.

A wise man once said, “You can only take a horse to the river, you cannot force it to drink.” Becoming a professional writer is not a one-day job, but with constant practice coupled with persistence, perfection is achieved. And along with it comes the remunerations attached.

List of ReferencesWriting. (2009). Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia. Retrieved July 10, 2009, from http://wikipedia.com