What Does A Poet, Lyricist and Creative Writer Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

Salary
$78680
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match


What they do

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

  • 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.
  • Prepare works in an appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
  • Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Poets, Lyricists, and Creative Writers write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays. They develop factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue to create material.

A typical day for a Poet, Lyricist, and Creative Writer will also include:

  • Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy the needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
  • Write narrative, dramatic, lyric, or other types of poetry for publication.
  • Choose subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events.
  • Write words to fit musical compositions, including lyrics for operas, musical plays, and choral works.
  • Prepare works in an appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Poets, Lyricists, and Creative Writers also write humorous material for publication, or for performances such as comedy routines, gags, and comedy shows. They may also confer with clients, editors, publishers, or producers to discuss changes or revisions to written material.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Poets, Lyricists, and Creative Writers revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy the needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers. They might also conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.

In addition, they plan project arrangements or outlines and organize material accordingly.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them choose subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events.

To some Poets, Lyricists, and Creative Writers, it is also their responsibility to develop factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue to create material.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Average

Is this job meaningful

Average

68% said they were satisfied with their job and 49% said they found their job meaningful.


S.G. Prince
Author of The Elvish Trilogy

I’m a fantasy author.

I usually wake up early (around 5 a.m.) and head downstairs to the kitchen for my morning coffee and writing time. (Somewhat unusually, I write while standing at my kitchen counter. There’s no good reason for this; it’s just something I’ve always done).

These morning hours are typically the best, most productive hours of my day. When I’m drafting a novel, I’ll concentrate on upping my manuscript word count, fixing plot points, smoothing my pacing, etc. If I’m editing a novel (which happens later in the book-writing process), I’ll focus more on adding details, improving my prose, or hunting for inconsistencies.

I’ll take a break around 11 a.m. for lunch and a workout (both of which I try not to skip, but if I’m really deep in a writing hole, I sometimes can’t help it), then head back to the kitchen for more writing. I’ll work until my brain starts to turn sloppy, which usually takes me to about 3 or 4 p.m.

On the outside, being a fantasy author involves a lot of sitting around on the computer. It likely doesn’t seem like much is happening, but really, worlds are being built.

Pros

The pros are that I absolutely adore what I do. I’m a free agent. I set my schedule, rule my own day. Luckily, that suits me, and I’m good at it.

Cons

The main con is that it’s a solo endeavor, which can sometimes feel isolating. I think you have to be a particular kind of person to become an author, and especially a fantasy author.


Pros

Suitable for people who like to work with designs.

Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

Very good salary.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.

It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$78680 per year

Average hourly wage

$38 per hour

Entry-level Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $35,880 to $49,310 per year or $17 to $24 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $133,460 $64
Senior (Top 25%) $94,090 $45
Median $67,120 $32
Junior (Bottom 25%) $49,310 $24
No experience (Bottom 10%) $35,880 $17

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
28%

40 hours
20%

More than 40 hours
52%

Working schedule

26%

74%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
22%

Every day
52%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
33%

Every day
19%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
7%

Every day
19%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
26%

Once a year
56%

Once a month
7%

Once a week
7%

Every day
4%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
4%

Slightly competitive
0%

Moderately competitive
7%

Highly competitive
22%

Extremely competitive
67%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
37%

Once a year or more
4%

Once a month or more
7%

Once a week or more
4%

Every day
48%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
81%

Once a year or more
15%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
4%

Every day
0%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
78%

Once a year or more
7%

Once a month or more
4%

Once a week or more
7%

Every day
4%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
74%

Once a year or more
15%

Once a month or more
7%

Once a week or more
4%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Hard
You will need a considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Careers in this difficulty category usually require a Bachelor’s degree and several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. Similar careers include Database Administrators, Chemists, Art Directors, and Accountants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
19%

High School Diploma or equivalent
15%

Post-Secondary Certificate
0%

Some College Courses
8%

Associate’s Degree or similar
0%

Bachelor’s Degree
46%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
4%

Master’s Degree
4%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
4%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

No majors found

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
35%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
8%

1 to 2 years
27%

2 to 4 years
12%

4 to 6 years
8%

6 to 8 years
8%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
4%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
65%

1 month
4%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
8%

6 months to 1 year
12%

1 to 2 years
4%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
8%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Artist

People with this personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.

The Builder
24%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
71%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
100%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
33%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
52%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
29%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

They also like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
86%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
69%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
71%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
38%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
29%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
81%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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