The main thing is to *write* . . . write about anything that catches your fancy. Think your thoughts through in writing, write letters to people, write letters to newspapers on issues you feel strongly about, write a novel in your spare time (and YES, you DO have the time, if writing is important to you; if you don’t, then it isn’t). This will hone your skills and help you to find your voice. There are oodles of magazines out there that cater to specialty interests. These might be a good place to start. You can try to get a job at a newspaper and try working behind the scenes as well, copy editing or proofreading. Start a blog and write in it daily, but spend time offline writing in a journal daily and doing it the old fashioned way. Learn to ghostwrite for others . . . there is no shortage of people who want to write but can’t (almost any celebrity fits in here) and you can learn to help them express their ideas. Write about your hobbies, research things, interview people and write some more. Journalism is a good place to get started and I would suggest that at least to start with.

Sometimes having a simple job enables you to 1) learn about life, which will make you a better writer; and 2) provides you not only the income but the time to work on what you really want to accomplish. I was a writing major in college, though have since changed careers four times! However, I worked as a waitress/server from 16, through college, and then afterwards as a second job just for the extra cash. Depending on where you live, and what restaurants are around, there is good money to be made as a server. I lived in a small town of around 15,000 people, and yet on a Saturday, I could clear $100 in cash.

You can go to a local career center/one-stop social services location and take a career test to see where your interests are focused, and to see what jobs are available in those interests.

I’m not sure how old you are, or what your circumstances are, but there is also a program called Job Corps, funded entirely by the U.S. Department of Labor, where, if you qualify, you can obtain free vocational training to get you started in a career to support you until you can get the college you need to become a professional writer.

I am a Quality Control Coordinator for that program. In my job, I complete reports, run statistics, and audit applications. I love my job – because I feel I make a difference in the lives of others. I have also worked for a leasing company, a bank, and as a domestic violence coordinator.

I loved being a server, too, believe it or not. I got to meet and work with a lot of interesting people and had many interesting experiences. It taught me a lot about life and living.

If you want any other advice, please feel free to email me at illusionsanddreams2000 here at Yahoo. I love to help people!

Good luck!!

I am a high school English teacher. I would be lying if I said that it was always wonderful, but it does have its good points. Even though I may not always see the effects, I know that I affect the lives of young people every day. They don’t always appreciate it or notice that you care, but the intrinsic rewards are great. The pay can be pretty good depending on your level of education and where you teach.

This is not for everyone, so maybe you could take one of those interest inventories that help lead you to a career that appeals to you. Good luck on your writing and finding a meaningful career.

You should work for a newspaper or for a magazine. This way you’ll have a career and you’ll be writing a lot. I used to work for a newspaper and that helped me gain the discipline that a writer needs. Now, I am a professor teaching about how to write.

(No, I am not one of those who teach because they can’t do. I wrote some books and I have my own magazine.)

i want to be a writer too but it’ll be a while till i graduate but i have been thinking about other career options becuz making money while starting out writing is going to be very hard.

i have thought about writing for a newspaper and being a journalist as i got started or starting a restaurant becuz i really like to cook

hope it helped a little =]

The simplest reply to that question might be to START WRITING. 🙂 What conjures up me is my possess creativeness…tale standards that I create that I think will make (or wish will make) stories if you want to entertain and curiosity, a minimum of, *a few* individuals. Write approximately what you’re excited about. Good recommendation from considered one of my favourite authors Mary Higgins Clark, is to put in writing within the genres you like to READ! I love drama, supernatural, thriller, mystery, and suspense with a few apocalyptic sci-fi as good. That is what I have a tendency to put in writing. I am additionally a poet. What pursuits me concerning poetry is the arena round me–human nature and behaviour. Corruption and integrity. Good and evil. Write out of your center. Write out of your ardour. That’s the great recommendation I can deliver you.

well paying options will involve a college degree — so why not kill two birds and get a degree in english and teach?

many struggling writers/artists/actors go the work for tips route. i know lots of people making bank from hauling luggage around hotels. i don’t think anyone loves their career unless they work for themselves. thats where the monetary compensation comes in.