Writing as a career appeared to be quite a no-no not so long ago. Even if you were an adept wordsmith, you couldn’t really be sure if that would fetch you money and fame. Grace a la globalization and the proliferation of internet, endless opportunities present themselves for an aspiring writer. In the digital age milieu, the possibility of developing your writing skills as a calling is immense, albeit it comes with its pros and cons.

First the pros:

Entry no bar: You don’t necessarily require an MA in Literature to make you a good writer or qualify you as one. You can begin writing at any age, in any language and have the creative liberty to write in your own unique voice or focus on what you enjoy or know best (it is assumed that it should adhere to acceptable standards) to emerge as a specialist. In essence, it helps if you possess a flair for words, a good command over the language, specialized know-how, storytelling ability, and most important- the ‘passion’ to write.

Make your life exciting: If you are saddled with an unexciting job, a career in writing can be quite the opposite. You get to create, communicate, and play with words – at your pace and will. You have a choice, the freedom to work on numerous assignments simultaneously, or be more selective and work on a sole writing project.

Minimal investment: Writing as a career requires little investment – all you need is a decent computer (it comes with a spell check and thesaurus) and internet connection, and if you have the contacts it only helps. Don’t forget with the advent of social media, even networking has become cheaper, faster and easier.

Claim to fame: If you choose to write articles or a book and it gets published, recognition or fame will most likely come your way. Through an article or book you have the added advantage of communicating your thoughts or opinion to people across the world, making a difference or perhaps, influencing the lives of people and earning the kind of respect you have never envisaged.

Opportunities to explore: As a writer, you get to go out in the world, explore, discover, listen, observe, read, learn, go places, get invited to events – it’s all a part of an enriching experience that ensures individual fulfillment.

Writing options: As a writer, you have options galore – freelance, books (author, poet, and novelist), journalism (business, political, sports, travel, environment, entertainment, etc.), screen writing, script writing, public relations, copywriting, blogs, academic, ghostwriting, content writing, gaming, among others. Just pick your fit and get into it.

While writing as a career is definitely exciting, it is not considered a steady and lucrative profession:

It’s all about money, honey: Sadly the writing industry lacks uniformity in payment and does not come with the lure of the lucre. Initially, it seldom pays well, but as you gain experience or fame, the probability of making significant monetary gains cannot be ruled out.

Here today, gone tomorrow: Most prominent writing jobs are confined to advertising, public relations and journalism (broadcast, print and online), and outside these spheres, the writing assignments are inconsistent. So in all probability, you might be laden with an assignment for a day, a week, a month or a quarter, and then not have much to do. Well you could use that time to read, hone your writing skills, build up your network… and more work will follow.

Exploitation: Words craft the world we live in, and given that the power of words is required in almost all activities that encompass our personal and professional lives, it helps to be a competent writer. However, able writers are perceived to be soft targets for exploitation. You write a nice article and someone else wants or takes the credit. You are working on a film script, only to know that your idea has been plagiarized. You may have to face instances where clients don’t pay you on time or squeeze you on payments. But once you become an adept writer or famous, or learn the tricks of the trade, you don’t need to take all this lying down.

The merits to being a writer far outdo the cons. The next time you hold a book or read one, or enjoy an article and comment, “I wish I could author a book or write an article,” it’s time you get started and work towards getting your work ‘published or out in the open’ for the world to see. You may face the writers’ block – when you are confronted with a loss of ideas, thoughts, and words. It can be unnerving, but it will pass if you read, observe, travel, collaborate, network, indulge in a hobby or pastime, or better spend time amidst nature or tranquility. Then the writer in you will rebound with ideas, thoughts and words that will strike a chord with your readers and motivate you to write more.

Pursue writing as a career:

• There are endless opportunities and options around you (offline and online). Take advantage of these.
• Treat this as a business. You can start small but dream big, and then continually write/publish to carve a nice for yourself as a writer.
• Position yourself as a “qualified or specialized” entity or “subject matter” expert – it will lead to more opportunities for writing and better payouts.
• Price yourself in terms of a “value provider” – neither unaffordable nor cheap. Charge what you think is appropriate as a ‘value provider’ of words services.

Some tips to be a better writer:

• Your written voice should be simple, succinct, clear and engaging.
• Writers Toolkit: Write about what you know best or enjoy most, write with passion, and write continually….the more you write, the better you will get.

So you are on your way to be that “Writer” you always wanted to be who can mould public opinion, bring a smile on people’s face, move them to tears, or make them laugh.

Payal Shah Karwa, Chief Writer, The Word Jockey, is an Independent Writer and Communications Consultant specializing in content, events and public relations

Disclaimer: The views and contents expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of VCherish.com, its Editors or VCherish Media. VCherish.com, its Editors or VCherish Media will not be responsible or liable for any inaccurate or incorrect statements contained in this article.