What does an author do?

Not all authors and writers complete the same level of undergraduate education. Following their undergraduate studies, some elect to earn a master’s degree; others do not. Still others pursue a doctorate.

Here are the typical timelines associated with these options:
- Short-term Certificate in Writing – a minimum of five to eight classes
- Associate Degree in Writing – two years
- Bachelor’s Degree in Writing – four years
- Master’s Degree in Writing – one to two years
- Doctoral Degree in Writing – four to six years

For individuals seeking to become authors or novelists, the road to success is often more challenging. Their path includes writing a full-length novel, securing an agent, and selling their work to a publisher.

Authors rank among the happiest careers. Overall they rank in the 95th percentile of careers for satisfaction scores. Please note that this number is derived from the data we have collected from our Career Explorer members only.

This high happiness quotient may have its roots in the equally high degree of freedom that authors enjoy: freedom to work independently as freelancers; creative freedom to express themselves in their writing; and freedom to collaborate with diverse partners, including clients, editors, and publishers.

Based on our pool of users, authors tend to be predominately artistic people. Take our career test to see what career interest category best describes you.

The work of authors is by nature inventive and artistic. Author Sydney Sheldon said, ‘A blank piece of paper is God’s way of telling us how hard it is to be God.’ While it was likely not Sheldon’s intention to equate authors with God, his words articulately – and with humor – speak to the artistic challenge which writers and authors take on every day: to create something original, imaginative, compelling, and memorable.

Writing talent alone is not enough to make it as a professional author. Authors and writers of all kinds need to have a well-rounded skill set to be successful. The decision to enter the field should be preceded by consideration of all of the skills that the occupation demands:

Language Skills
While this may go without saying, authors must possess solid language skills. Without heightened knowledge of the rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, and phraseology, writers lack the very foundation of their craft.

Imagination
Authors start with a blank page. They fill it with their imagination. To do so, they need to be creative thinkers, able to generate raw material, be it for a novel, a poem, a business document, a magazine article or a blog post.

Research Skills
The capacity to effectively research topics and interpret data is a core component of the author’s toolbox. Thorough research can be the difference between content that is valid, well-founded, and compelling; and content that is inaccurate, questionable, and inconsequential.

Communication Skills
In their role, authors must often call upon their communication abilities to interact and/or collaborate with clients, sources, editors, and readers.

Digital Media Savvy
The modern marketing landscape requires that authors understand the basics of website creation and search engine optimization. With this knowledge, they are able to create in-depth content focused on web publication and online audiences.

Diligence
Writing is a repetitious process that often takes numerous drafts to complete. The best writers are therefore industrious and unrelenting in their pursuit of the perfect piece of writing.

Ambition
Because many authors and writers are self-employed freelancers, they must be self-motivated and determined. They have to take a strategic approach to landing new clients and producing strong material and content.

As important as what writers must have to succeed is what they must give up to flourish in the field. If you plan to write for a living, plan to give up these things:

Your Sense of Entitlement
Nobody owes you their attention. If you intend to make a living with your writing, your words are – by definition – a product. It is your responsibility, therefore, to create your best work.

Ask yourself these questions:
- Why should anyone want to read my writing, visit my website, or buy my book?
- Am I a diligent and dedicated writer?
- Am I making a steady effort to produce quality material?
- Do I make connections with people who would be interested in my writing?

Your Romanticism
Writing is artistic. It is a craft. While these statements are true, they can also get in the way of the pragmatism required of aspiring authors and writers. You may love the romanticized version of the work, the idea of being a writer. But are you practical about the writing itself?

In other words, do you pay attention to the person on the other end of the page – the reader? Does your writing meet a market need? To become someone who actually earns money from their writing will likely mean abandoning your idealism and fantasies about the work.

An extensive vocabulary and the technical ability to compose beautifully balanced sentences will not make you a great writer. Moving people will make you a great writer. Entertaining, educating, and inspiring people will make you a great writer.

Your Fear of Marketing
You may want to just write. You may think that good writing should be enough on its own. It’s not. The build it and they will come mentality is not a recipe for success as an author.

Accomplished writers find people who want to read their kind of writing and get it in front of them. They market themselves. This means finding websites with established audiences and publishing your work there. This means creating a blog. This means connecting with influential people who can help promote your work.

Art and business are not mutually exclusive. Marketing is not a dirty word. It’s a prerequisite for success.

Your Time & Your Excuses
Building a writing career takes time. It doesn’t happen right now. It happens eventually. When you write consistently, your writing skills grow exponentially.

How many blog posts have you written? Have you outlined your book? How many words do you have under your belt? Do you write every day?

Be honest with yourself and be patient. Are you putting in the work or are you complaining too early?

Your Need for Approval
Being an author or novelist is not the most traditional of careers. It is a deviation outside the normal path, one that some people around you will probably not understand or be receptive to. They will tell you that it is impractical or risky; and that they don’t want you to be disappointed.

Resist putting your identity in someone else’s hands. Trust yourself. Trust the process. And take advantage of the fact this is the best time in human history to become a writer, because you don’t need a publisher to endorse you. You can self-publish and let you audience be the judge.