How do I do what I love to do every day and get paid for it?

Question

I love to write, but I really don’t know where to look for a job that involves that. I thought about newspaper…but I don’t know how to get in there. I am 21 and I don’t have a college degree yet…so a lot of the positions available in these newspapers required one. What else can I do with this skill?? I currently hate what I do…so…please help!

Answer 1

To get hired by a newspaper or magazine you will need a degree but you can always write articles to submit to magazines and you can write a novel or other book. Offer to write creative advertising for some small businesses or to write technical manuals. There is always a way to free lance but you just wont make a lot of money with any regularity.

Answer 2

Start small and grow big.

Write an article that you consider suitable for publication in your local newspaper. Send it to the Editor. Tell him you would love to work on his newspaper and see what he offers. If he does not want articles - just take what he offers, at least you will be in the right environment and able to see what vacancies/opportunities are likely to become available.

If it is a country newspaper you could offer to write something on a weekly basis, i.e., a series on the countryside.

The same applies to an urban newspaper - just a different slant on the same theme.

If the local paper angle fails, why not try an overseas newspaper? i.e., the US and Tales from Across the Pond.
I am sure you get the idea.

It is like rejection slips - just keep plugging away. If the first one turns you down - try again somewhere else.

If you write you must have a vivid imagination and I hope some of the above will start you thinking. You could always start on a novel in your spare time. This would mean research and more research, but all very interesting and absorbing.

Best of luck.

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Answer 3

I feel for you, because my passion is to musical direct shows...a sporadic job, at best. Any kind of artistic job is the same way.

The secret is to treat your passion as a hobby. One for which you may or may not get paid, it doesn't matter, because the point is to gain experience. Once you build a reputation as a good writer and enough people know about you and your work, you'll suddenly find yourself in high demand and in good positions to negotiate.

First, build a portfolio with some samples. Next, join a volunteer group somewhere and offer to write some publications for them, then you'll gain references. Check online for any local writers "guilds" and subscribe to their newsletters or online forums. Create a webpage for yourself with additional writing samples. Advertise yourself with any group that might require some writing experience, which includes just about anywhere (library, etc.) Offer to initially do work for free or low cost.

Oh, and keep constantly trying to submit your work to publishers, and be prepared for many rejections before something is accepted. Don't give up, though, keep trying out new materials. Once you get that first publication, that credential will increase your chances enormously of finding other jobs. Oh, and finish school, because people tend to find work from people with degrees more believable.

Eventually, you will find a connection somewhere. Good luck.

Answer 4

WHy not become a freelance writer online? Or write articles for websites that will pay you for the content. Just be creative and do a google search. I'm sure you will find something. The good thing about these opportunitys is that you will have samples of your work to show your future employees

Good Luck! :)

Answer 5

One option you may have at this point is to consider freelance writing. Freelance writers do not work for anyone per say, rather they write their own articles on topics they choose and submit those articles to the appropriate magazine, newspaper, website, etc. If that company chooses to publish your artcle , then you will be paid. May be something to consider doing part-time to see where it goes.
Good luck.

Answer 6

You can start by writing for your towns once a week paper, or you can be there corespondent. Those folks have a large turnover from folks who want to get started and once they do they move on. Don't let any body tell you you cant do this, it might take you a little longer than the others but anything is possible if you try.

Answer 7

Get a college degree you answered you own question