Money Trails for Writers

I'm willing to bet that quite a number of you once had to debate (or discuss) the saying: "The pen is mightier than the sword." If you were arguing 'for', you would have been able to come up with many examples of how words triumphed over muscles.

The fact is, words can triumph over just about anything. Even if you acknowledge the occasional truth of another saying, "A picture paints a thousand words", any picture has its limitations. If the viewer is not certain what the picture is about, it takes words to explain. It also takes words to theorize about what led up to the picture, what happened after the picture was taken, drawn or painted, and the many reactions that the picture might prompt.

Visualize a website you've visited recently. Imagine it without pictures. Could you still find out what you wanted to know - or order the product you were after? The likely answer is 'yes'. Now imagine it without words. What's the situation this time? You'd be floundering.

What has this got to do with your writing career?

Everything.

If you can use words well, you can find a way to make money in many, many different arenas. Really, a competent wordsmith is spoiled for choice. Quite a number of writers (myself included) have found themselves in the happy situation of having to decide which trail to follow - because the load is too great if you try to do everything. In my case, I had achieved success in writing short stories, writing articles, writing books for children, writing promotional material (copywriting) and ghostwriting. I was working far too many hours a week... something had to give.

In the short term I focused on writing books for children, but this eventually gave way to writing 'how to' material and website copy. Now, I run an internet business and specialize in e-books and multi-media products. Words are still my business, but in many different ways. I have proved beyond doubt that there are endless opportunities out there for writers.

Money Trails: Where Your Writing Skills Can Lead

Here are just a few of the options for a skilled writer:

  • Writing articles - for magazines, websites and ezines

  • Ghostwriting - write for others who are either too busy or don't have the skills (or both)

  • Copywriting - website copy, advertisements, promotional material, catalogues and much more

  • Writing books (fiction) - for children or adults. There are countless genres - crime, mystery, romance, adventure, fantasy, thriller, suspense, science fiction, westerns, historical and many more.

  • Writing non-fiction books. This is a huge field, both online and offline. Write for adults or children or in-between. Note: E-books are easy to produce and easy to sell, once you've learned the basics of selling online. Thousands of people are searching for 'how to' advice every day.

  • Creative pursuits - greeting cards, hand-made cards, hand-made books, decorative scrolls etc

  • Scriptwriting - plays and film scripts, for adults or children. Not easy to break in, but can be very, very lucrative.

  • Editing and Proofreading - if you have a strong background in English style and grammar, there's ongoing work here. You need to establish a track record before you advertise, and be ready to produce samples of your work. There are a number of courses available to give you formal qualifications in this field.

  • Critique Service - if you already have writing credits, or a strong record in critiquing the work of published writers, you can establish a critique service. Set up a website and you'll contact many more people.

  • Resumes - There's a steady stream of people looking for organized, reliable writers to translate their work experience into an impressive resume.

  • Family histories - this is a specialized niche worth exploring. Set up some templates on your computer, obtain some basic equipment to scan photos/documents, and you can help others to organize their family stories. A good digital voice recorder is useful too.

  • Column Writing - If you are an expert in a certain subject, or have a great sense of humour and a whimsical 'take' on everyday life, explore the possibility of writing a regular column for your local newspaper or a specialist magazine. This can lead to bigger things later.
These 12 suggestions barely scratch the surface of career options available to writers. It's one of the most flexible and portable careers available. Why not think hard about where your skill with words may lead? Finally, here are a few questions to help direct your thinking:
  • What do I most like to read? (Fiction or non-fiction? Romances or thrillers? Biographies or 'how to'?)

  • What do I like to watch on TV? (Reality shows? Cop shows? Soap operas? The Discovery Channel? History?)

  • What kind of writing makes the hours at the keyboard fly past?

  • What is the best 'fit' with my life now - short stories, articles, a novel, 'how to'...? Once you start thinking about what you really want to write, you might be surprised to find yourself going in an entirely different direction. The only thing for certain is this: there are many trails that a writer can follow - and a number of them have the potential to bring in a very comfortable income.

    (c) Copyright Marg McAlister 2004

    Marg McAlister has published magazine articles, short stories, books for children, ezines, promotional material, sales letters and web content. She has written 5 distance education courses on writing, and her online help for writers is popular all over the world. Sign up for her regular writers' tipsheet at http://www.writing4success.com/ and if you want more money-making ideas for writers, get your f-r-e-e copy of Hidden Writing Opportunities here: http://www.writing4successclub.com/w riting_opportunities.htm

    In The News:

    • pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    How To Write A Newsletter

    In order to be successful with a newsletter, specialize in... Read More

    Should You Hire a Ghostwriter?

    Have you heard the term 'ghostwriter' and wondered what they... Read More

    Interviewing an Author: Dont Be Left Speechless

    Joyce Carol Oates. Langston Hughes. Anne Sexton. F. Scott Fitzgerald.... Read More

    The ENTP Inventor Writes A Novel

    People familiar with the Myers-Briggs Personality test know that the... Read More

    Get Your Writing Reviewed by Major Publications for Free

    All Writers need the press, especially new writers. As a... Read More

    8 Tips to Get Publishers to Notice You

    If your articles aren't getting published very often, or you... Read More

    A Beginners Guide to Writing a Novel

    No one is born a novel writer. But do you... Read More

    Top Seven Mistakes Writers Make and What to Do About Them

    Writers often get stuck because they make assumptions about writing,... Read More

    Do The Unfamiliar To Keep Your Writing Going

    One of the best ways to blow someone's winning streak... Read More

    Pairs/Groups Of Words Often Confused - Part 3 of 6

    ELICIT, ILLICITElicit means to extract or draw out; illicit means... Read More

    Getting Published Is Different For Everyone: Two Paths Among Many

    One obvious question that can get overlooked in the process... Read More

    Proofreading for Profits

    How to avoid mistakes that undermine your credibilityYou're probably already... Read More

    Have You Tested Your Plot?

    Creative Writing Tips ?Our plotting stage is our testing area.Everything... Read More

    Pairs/Groups Of Words Often Confused - Part 1 of 6

    ACCEPT, EXCEPT Not commonly seen even from unpublished writers, who... Read More

    Why Manners Maketh the Freelance Writer

    Lately I've been noticing an odd trend amongst the freelance... Read More

    Creative Writing Tips - Have You Established Your Main Character At The Start?

    In the beginning of your story you have to grab... Read More

    Getting Past The Shoulds To Write

    During the past few months I have received many questions... Read More

    Four Easy Ways to Get a Book Written (Especially If You Dont Like to Write)

    Becoming an author is probably a lot easier than you... Read More

    Freelance Feast or Famine?

    Sometimes a freelance writing career can feel very much like... Read More

    Writing With Power: 5 Snappy Rules For Success

    Almost everyone could profit from enhancing their writing skills. From... Read More

    Starting a Local Writers Group

    My husband is no poet, so when I offer my... Read More

    Writing For The Web: Where To Get Article Ideas

    A friend and I were talking the other day about... Read More

    How To Avoid Viewpoint Slips

    Sit back, and imagine what it feels like to be... Read More

    Crime Writing Beckons

    If your cash is running out fast and you have... Read More

    The Many Paths to Plotting

    For several years before I left teaching to write full... Read More

    Writer School?

    Here's something from my mailbag. "Dear Michael, do you need... Read More

    Whats in a Name? Giving Birth to your Characters

    So you've got your plot outlined, a title lined up... Read More

    Sharpen Your Writing With Structure

    At some point, every serious writer is forced to sit... Read More

    Platform Development Tip #1: Switch Writing Hats!

    Around eighty percent of nonfiction books today are written by... Read More

    The Blank Mind

    Many writers stare at the blank page or clean computer... Read More

    10 Things that Keep You from Writing Your Book? and What You Can do About It

    9 out of 10 professionals and small business owners have... Read More

    Six Tips for Submitting Fiction - if you want it to get published

    You can learn a lot about what it takes to... Read More

    Zany Ideas That Increase Writing Productivity And Quality

    Welcome to the zany ideas of a productive writer. My... Read More