Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos & Interviews
Videos on the Web
- Writer- from: Youtube Search
- Author- from: icould [UK] Video
- Children's Author- from: icould [UK] Video
- Children's Author- from: icould [UK] Video
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
- Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Working Life
Authors write fiction and non-fiction books. Very few authors earn a living entirely from writing, even if their work is published or performed. For most authors, it is a part-time activity. It is often difficult to gain acceptance by editors in publishing firms, or by a literary agent who will help an author sell work to a publisher. Editors or agents are always looking for new, talented authors, but receive so many manuscripts from unknown writers that they rarely comment on unsuitable work.
Even when work shows promise, the creative impulse of the author may have to be adapted to meet the commercial demands of the publisher. Authors may be asked to rewrite their work before it is accepted and may have to vary its length or style to suit the editor's requirements.
Once an author's work is published or performed, they may be commissioned to write a new work on a particular theme. Alternatively, they may adapt their work into another literary form such as a play, screenplay or television script. Most published books are commissioned from established authors rather than from manuscripts of unknown writers.
An established author may employ a literary agent, who is paid to act on their behalf in any negotiations regarding copyright, future work, translation or film rights. Without an agent, an author may have to become involved in business transactions, which are often time-consuming.
Some authors achieve success after some time experimenting with different styles, before they decide to concentrate on a certain literary area. For example, within adult fiction, it is possible to specialise in types of writing such as romance, crime, science fiction and westerns. All authors, whether of fiction or non-fiction, have to bear in mind that the creative process in writing must be supported by attention to detail to ensure that references, quotations, geographical locations, and historical settings are accurate.
You must be able to keep your audience in mind and be able to cope with having your work criticised or rejected. Often this work demands much research and your writing should reflect accuracy in such thing as historical settings, geographical locations, quotations and references.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.
- Present drafts and ideas to clients.
- Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
- Develop advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients, working with an advertising agency's creative director and art director to determine the best way to present advertising information.
- Write articles, bulletins, sales letters, speeches, and other related informative, marketing and promotional material.
- Conduct research and interviews to determine which of a product's selling features should be promoted.
- Invent names for products and write the slogans that appear on packaging, brochures and other promotional material.
- Review advertising trends, consumer surveys, and other data regarding marketing of goods and services to determine the best way to promote products.
- Collaborate with other writers on specific projects.
- Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
Further Information
- Writer- from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Writer, radio/TV/film- from: GradIreland
Qualities - Writer
As an author, you must have a good understanding of language, sentence structure and grammar, as well as the ability to write creatively and with imagination. You must always keep your audience in mind and be able to write at the right level.
You may have to alter your work to meet the demands of a publisher so you should be able to handle criticism.
Most authors word-process their work so you need to be able to use a computer.
Interests - Writer
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Linguistic
The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Entry / Progression - Writer
There pathways to develop a career as an author, although you can study creative writing at degree and postgraduate level. Training as a journalist may develop relevant skills such as the ability to research facts, write to deadlines and meet an editor's requirements. For most authors, the process of writing is largely trial and error.
It is often useful to join writers' clubs, attend evening classes in creative writing or take part in literary workshops. You could ask fellow writers to examine unpublished work because they may be able to provide support and ideas to help you.
Relevant work or voluntary experience is extremely useful and this could include any work that uses research and word processing skills or work for a local newspaper / publication, student journalism etc.
Courses and training will build on your experience and craft to develop in a highly networked occupation and sector. Writers may write alone, in teams, and liaise with the production process during development.
There are a number of courses available countrywide in the field of television and film that will give the student a broad knowledge of the process of screenwriting.
Screen skills work based learning programs - training for production staff may be on-the-job. The company may organise short off-the-job courses for trainees.
IFTV Irish Film & Television Network - for a list of TV/ Film production companies and career roles.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: media production.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: creative writing, digital media, TV, film studies, journalism, communications, media.
Search for PLC Courses
Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.
Examples: Animation.
Search for Apprenticeships
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: digital media, TV, film production, media, communication, arts, media studies, journalism, writing and literature, arts.
Search for CAO Courses
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).
Example search terms include: arts, media, creative writing, digital media, journalism, technical writing.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Professional Development
Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.
Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.
Pay & Salary - Writer
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €54k
The salary of a writer will vary considerably depending on the quantity and type of publications they produce and sell. Rights, commissions, and hardback and softcopy content.
Salary can be sessional and as part of a wider portfolio income.Salaries vary by employer, location, and exprience.
Data Source(s):
Indeed / Payscale / Glassdoor/ DEASP
Last Updated: March, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Writer
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Artists; Authors; writers; translators; Actors; entertainers; presenters; Dancers; choreographers; Musicians Arts officers; producers; directors; Photographers; audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators; Graphic designers Product; clothing and related designers.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.
New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.
Useful Contacts - Writer
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The Arts Council of Ireland
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Irish Writers Centre
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Oscar Wilde Centre for Irish Writing
- School of English Trinity College Dublin, 21 Westland Row, Dublin 2
- (01) 896 2885
- [email protected]
- Click Here
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Restaurant's Association of Ireland
- 11 Bridge Court, Citygate, St Augustine Street, Dublin 8
- 01 6779901
- [email protected]
- Click Here
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Irish Writers Centre
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IFTN Irish film & Television network
- Irish Film and Television Network 32 Lower Leeson Street Dublin2
- (0) 1 905 3595
- [email protected]
- Click Here
