Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Tasks Include:
- Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
- Choose subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events.
- Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly.
- Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
- Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.
- Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
- Develop factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue to create material.
- Confer with clients, editors, publishers, or producers to discuss changes or revisions to written material.
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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Projections Quick View:
Virginia: -0.9%
National: +4.1%
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Job Zone:
Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Income Range:
Highest ($50,000 and up)
Median Earnings:
National
$73,150.00
State
$75,540.00
Regional
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Description
Career Cluster: | Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications |
Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Education
Required Level of Education
- Bachelor's Degree = 46.15%
- Less than a High School Diploma = 19.23%
- High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) = 15.38%
- Some College Courses = 7.69%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. = 3.85%
- Master's Degree = 3.85%
- Doctoral Degree = 3.85%
Related Work Experience
- None = 34.62%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 26.92%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 11.54%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 7.69%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years = 7.69%
- Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years = 7.69%
- Over 10 years = 3.85%
On-Site or In-Plant Training
- None = 80.77%
- Up to and including 1 month = 7.69%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 7.69%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 3.85%
On-the-Job Training
- None or short demonstration = 65.38%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 11.54%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 7.69%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years = 7.69%
- Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 3.85%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 3.85%
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
- Choose subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events.
- Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly.
- Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
- Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.
- Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
- Develop factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue to create material.
- Confer with clients, editors, publishers, or producers to discuss changes or revisions to written material.
- Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
- Attend book launches and publicity events, or conduct public readings.
- Collaborate with other writers on specific projects.
Supplemental Tasks Include:
- Write narrative, dramatic, lyric, or other types of poetry for publication.
- Write words to fit musical compositions, including lyrics for operas, musical plays, and choral works.
- Adapt text to accommodate musical requirements of composers and singers.
- Teach writing classes.
- Write humorous material for publication, or for performances such as comedy routines, gags, and comedy shows.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Knowledge
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
97.25 | English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
72.25 | Communications and Media | Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media. |
60.25 | Psychology | Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Skills
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
93.75 | Writing | Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
81.25 | Reading Comprehension | Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
72.00 | Active Listening | Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
68.75 | Critical Thinking | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
65.50 | Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
62.50 | Active Learning | Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
59.50 | Judgment and Decision Making | Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
59.50 | Complex Problem Solving | Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
53.00 | Social Perceptiveness | Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Abilities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
90.50 | Written Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. |
81.25 | Fluency of Ideas | The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity). |
81.25 | Originality | The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem. |
78.00 | Written Comprehension | The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. |
75.00 | Near Vision | The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
68.75 | Oral Comprehension | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
68.75 | Oral Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
62.50 | Inductive Reasoning | The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). |
59.50 | Deductive Reasoning | The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. |
56.25 | Speech Clarity | The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
56.25 | Information Ordering | The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). |
56.25 | Category Flexibility | The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. |
53.00 | Speech Recognition | The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
50.00 | Selective Attention | The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Work Activities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
98.25 | Thinking Creatively | Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
80.75 | Working with Computers | Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
78.75 | Getting Information | Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
75.00 | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work | Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
68.50 | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
61.50 | Making Decisions and Solving Problems | Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
60.50 | Developing Objectives and Strategies | Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
60.25 | Documenting/Recording Information | Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
57.75 | Communicating with People Outside the Organization | Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
57.50 | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
56.75 | Scheduling Work and Activities | Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
54.75 | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others | Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
52.00 | Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People | Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
51.00 | Analyzing Data or Information | Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
51.00 | Selling or Influencing Others | Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions. |
50.00 | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships | Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Work Styles
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
98.00 | Persistence | Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. |
95.25 | Independence | Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. |
92.25 | Initiative | Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
91.25 | Innovation | Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. |
89.50 | Achievement/Effort | Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. |
87.50 | Attention to Detail | Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. |
78.75 | Stress Tolerance | Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. |
78.75 | Adaptability/Flexibility | Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
77.00 | Dependability | Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. |
69.25 | Integrity | Job requires being honest and ethical. |
67.25 | Analytical Thinking | Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. |
55.75 | Self-Control | Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Work Values
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
83.33 | Achievement | Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
77.83 | Independence | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
66.67 | Recognition | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. |
63.83 | Working Conditions | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Work Context
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
99.20 | Freedom to Make Decisions | How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? |
96.20 | Structured versus Unstructured Work | To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? |
89.60 | Level of Competition | To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures? |
87.40 | Spend Time Sitting | How much does this job require sitting? |
83.00 | Electronic Mail | How often do you use electronic mail in this job? |
71.80 | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? |
70.00 | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | How much does this job require making repetitive motions? |
66.60 | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? |
65.20 | Telephone | How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? |
64.40 | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? |
63.80 | Time Pressure | How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? |
60.80 | Letters and Memos | How often does the job require written letters and memos? |
58.60 | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? |
54.80 | Contact With Others | How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? |
51.80 | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? |
51.20 | Face-to-Face Discussions | How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Overall Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Job Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
- Examples
- Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Earnings Benefits*
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
---|---|---|---|
United States | $39,610.00 | $73,150.00 | $105,000.00 |
Virginia | $38,330.00 | $75,540.00 | $101,490.00 |
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
Alexandria/Arlington | $59,733.93 | $100,756.29 | $123,903.02 |
Bay Consortium | $45,959.08 | $81,661.54 | $108,530.02 |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | $30,816.61 | $67,323.86 | $89,665.80 |
Central VA/Region2000 | $27,797.88 | $52,499.15 | $66,006.08 |
Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Greater Peninsula | $43,987.09 | $65,849.28 | $86,816.33 |
Hampton Roads | $41,493.81 | $68,796.36 | $85,759.20 |
New River/Mt. Rogers | $38,394.08 | $60,004.96 | $68,362.29 |
Northern Virginia | $60,502.37 | $93,658.58 | $123,458.57 |
Piedmont Workforce | $36,928.85 | $65,512.83 | $85,885.89 |
Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Southwestern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Western Virginia | $31,371.14 | $66,132.77 | $112,759.57 |
* Earnings Calculations:
Regional Earnings:
Entry = Annual mean of the lower 1/3 wage distribution;
Experienced = Annual mean of the upper 2/3 wage distribution.
National and State Earnings:
Entry = Annual 10th percentile wage;
Experienced = Annual 75th percentile wage.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Employment Projections
Current | Projected | % Change | |
---|---|---|---|
United States | 142,800 | 148,700 | +4.1% |
Virginia | 3,840 | 3,804 | -0.9% |
Region | Current* | Projected | % Change |
Alexandria/Arlington | 750 | 693 | -7.6% |
Bay Consortium | 235 | 242 | +3.0% |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | 594 | 625 | +5.2% |
Central VA/Region2000 | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Greater Peninsula | 184 | 161 | -12.5% |
Hampton Roads | 246 | 200 | -18.7% |
New River/Mt. Rogers | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Northern Virginia | 935 | 966 | +3.3% |
Piedmont Workforce | 341 | 388 | +13.8% |
Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Southwestern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Western Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Related Occupations
Related Occupations
The related occupations here have similar general capabilities and interests; career explorers may also be interested in the related occupations:- Writers and Authors
- Editors
- News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
- Producers and Directors
- Proofreaders and Copy Markers
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
- Technical Writers
- Music Directors and Composers
- Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
- Film and Video Editors
- Actors
- Art Directors
- Historians
- Graphic Designers
- Public Relations Specialists
- Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys
- Talent Directors
- Special Effects Artists and Animators
- Curators
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
Careers in Journalism and Broadcasting Pathway:
- Audio and Video Technicians
- Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys
- Broadcast Technicians
- Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film
- Communications Equipment Operators, All Other
- Editors
- Film and Video Editors
- Lighting Technicians
- Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other
- News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
- Photographers
- Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
- Sound Engineering Technicians
- Technical Writers
- Writers and Authors
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
View Videos
CareerOneStop Video
View Video & Transcript on CareerOneStop
CareerOneStop Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications Videos
Overview
Occupations
The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee; CareerOneStop. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Military Training
The following military job classifications are available for this occupation:
- Information
- Information and Education, General
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Defense Manpower Data Center. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Proficiency Ratings
These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Titles
- Author
- Biographer
- Book Reviewer
- Business Writer
- Children's Author
- Columnist/Commentator
- Comic Book Writer
- Comic Writer
- Continuity Writer
- Creative Writer
- Critic
- Crossword Puzzle Maker
- Documentary Script Writer
- Dramatist
- Editorial Writer
- Fiction and Nonfiction Prose Writer
- Fiction Writer
- Film Writer
- Free Lance Writer
- Freelance Journalist
- Freelance Writer
- Gag Writer
- Game Author
- Ghost Writer
- Greeting Card Maker
- Greeting Card Writer
- Humorist
- Librettist
- Literary Writer
- Lyricist
- Magazine Journalist
- Magazine Writer
- Motivational Speaker
- Movie Writer
- Music Critic
- Music Journalist
- Novelist
- Play Writer
- Playwright
- Poem Writer
- Poet
- Program Writer
- Publications Writer
- Radio Script Writer
- Scenario Writer
- Screen Writer
- Screenplay Writer
- Script Writer
- Short Story Writer
- Song Lyricist
- Song Writer
- Songwriter
- Speech Writer
- Sports Writer
- Story Writer
- Television Script Writer
- Television Writer
- Travel Writer
- Verse Writer
- Video Game Script Writer
- Video Games Storywriter
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Related Schools
- Averett University
- Bluefield University
- Bridgewater College
- Brightpoint Community College
- Christopher Newport University
- DeVry University-Virginia
- Eastern Mennonite University
- Emory & Henry College
- Ferrum College
- George Mason University
- Hampton University
- Hollins University
- James Madison University
- Liberty University
- Longwood University
- Mary Baldwin University
- Marymount University
- Norfolk State University
- Northern Virginia Community College
- Old Dominion University
- Patrick Henry College
- Radford University
- Randolph College
- Randolph-Macon College
- Regent University
- Richard Bland College
- Roanoke College
- Shenandoah University
- Sweet Briar College
- University of Lynchburg
- University of Richmond
- University of Virginia-Main Campus
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Virginia State University
- Virginia Union University
- Virginia Wesleyan University
- Washington and Lee University
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)