Technical Writing

Technical writing is great for writers who have good technical aptitude. Technical writers these days are often software documentation writers, but many are writers documenting hardware (anything from washing machines to aircraft carriers), medical and pharmaceutical products, and other technical subjects.

Of course, you need more than just writing skills to be a good tech writer. You’ve also got to be able to learn technical material by reading engineering documents (specs in the software business), talk with SMEs (that’s Subject Matter Experts), and work with the actual product (unless it’s a nuclear warhead or something similar!). Your goal is to acquire a thorough knowledge of the product so you can then turn around and explain it in your document.

Technical Editing

Technical editing is related to technical writing. It’s the editing of technical documents, and requires not only skill in editing, but also an understanding of the technical subject matter so that you can identify possible errors in intelligent queries to the author.

Document Management

Document management is the processes and systems of managing an organization’s documents. Sounds a little dry, perhaps, but in industries like pharmaceuticals, for example, it’s absolutely crucial for an organization to have rigorous systems in place to track their documents through the writing, editing, and submission process. You don’t really want your drug company to lose the patient information sheet on someone’s individual hard drive, do you?

Medical Writing

Medical writing includes a variety of fields: writing about pharmaceuticals, medical products, medicine and its specialties, and others. Often medical writing, in addition to its scientific nature, requires attention to regulatory or other requirements that writers need to know.

Scientific Writing

Scientific writing is a subset of technical writing. Probably a plurality of tech writers today work in the software industry, producing either programmer or user documentation. Science writers, however, are typically a little closer to pure research, whether working with researchers in various fields of scientific endeavor to bring their articles to publication, writing documents required for regulatory approval, or perhaps grant proposals for scientific research.

Instructional Design

Instructional design (ID for those in the know) is the design of learning. (For lay people, that’s the design of training, except trainers like to focus on the learners, not themselves.) It’s by all means a field in its own right, yet there is some crossover especially between technical writing and ID. The training world has moved in recent years from CBT (computer-based training) to WBT (web-based training) to e-learning (also written elearning), online learning, and distance learning.

Usability and Interface Design

Usability for web sites and software programs refers to the ability of the intended users to intuitively navigate through the functions and achieve whatever their missions might be. Interface design is the art and science of creating usable web sites and software.

Nonfiction Writing

If you want to get published and make money in books or magazines, nonfiction is almost always the way to go. Sure, every now and then you read about a success in fiction such as Harry Potter, but nonfiction writers usually succeed far more than fiction writers.

Marketing Communication (Marcom)

Marketing writing – that is, writing in a marketing frame of mind, not marketing your own writing – is, like technical writing, among the sorts of writing that allow for a regular paycheck. And there are those who would say it suits would-be fiction writers, too, though we will venture no opinion on the subject!

Writing Advertising Copy (Copywriting)

Writing advertising copy is another writing job that actually pays regularly, like marketing communication and technical writing. If you really want to write and get paid for it, that’s hard to beat.

Public Relations (PR) Writing

Writing PR – public relations – is the art of disseminating information to the media so that they print or broadcast your copy for free (unlike advertising copywriting or marketing communication). And yes, it’s also a writing job that actually pays regularly.

Proposal Writing

Proposal writing is another form of persuasive writing, like marketing communication or advertising writing. Perhaps the main difference is in its structure. Like the others, proposal writing is writing in order to sell, but the structure of proposals can be quite precise. Proposals for multimillion dollar software systems, for example, can be hundreds of pages long, with an exacting structure determined by the authors of the RFP (Request for Proposal).

Grant Writing

Grant writing is a specific form of proposal writing. Perhaps the main difference is in its audience: as we see it, anyway, proposals are mostly for business, while grants are mostly for nonprofits, for research, and related activities. But we admit the lines can be gray.

Journalism and News Writing

You’re at a party. Someone asks what you do. You say you’re a writer. Most likely, your interlocutor will think you write novels. But the second choice is probably that you’re a journalist. Journalism, whether print (in newspapers, magazines, trade journals), in broadcast media (television and radio), or online really comes down to getting the story and telling it well. And while most journalists are not rich, journalism is one of those writing jobs that do actually pay on a regular basis.

Sports Writing

For many people, a sports writer is someone like Oscar in The Odd Couple – loveable but messy. Doubtless there are sports writers like that, though the ones we know aren’t. What people who write about sports have in common, of course, is a love for sports and a love for writing.

Travel Writing

If you love travel and love writing, what could be better than writing about travel and getting paid for it as a travel writer? Visit far-away places or write about your own place – people love to read about places they’ve been to and places they haven’t, so there is a market out there for your travel writing.

Biography Writing

Perhaps the best stories are true stories of people’s lives, namely biographies. Biographies used to be of famous people only, but it seems these days that more and more people of various backgrounds merit biographies, and someone has to write those books.

Translating

To write a book, you need to have an idea and be able to convey it. To translate, you need to understand someone else’s ideas in one language and be able to convey them to other people in another language. Translation means (unobtrusively) getting inside the minds of the author and the reader. Translators are also interpreters, because they translate the ideas of the author, not just the words. If you are good at figuring out what other people mean, and if you have the requisite skills in both the source language and, even more important, in the target language, you could be a good translator. Of course, you also have to be a good writer before you can be a translator.

Magazine Writing

So you want to be a writer? A good way to start is with writing articles for magazines. This is true if your goal is to be a freelance writer and also if you are a writer of virtually any other kind: there’s nothing like having “clips” – published articles – to bolster your writing portfolio (even if they’re in the Journal of Left-Handed Bowling Techniques).

Of course, one of the good things about magazine writing is that there are multitudes of magazines out there that constitute paying markets for writers. Another is that most magazine writing is freelance, allowing you to write on your own time. There are staff writing jobs at larger magazines, and even small publications have part-time editors.

Newsletter Writing

Newsletters have been around for a long time, and writing newsletters (or writing for newsletters) can be a good way for writers with a message to make some money. Newsletters, whether paper or electronic, typically have a very tight subject focus, and each edition is relatively short.

Freelance Writing

Freelance writers don’t get rich quick. However – and this is good enough – you can make a nice income if you identify market niches that work for you. You can also supplement your income with the occasional freelance article. And if you do have a day job, there’s nothing like having published articles, or even books, on your resume to show that you are an expert in your field. Finally, freelance writing may land you a job as a journalist.

There’s another kind of freelance writing besides the common notion of a creative wordsmith toiling at night in a cloud of cigarette smoke or whatever. Many writers make a very regular, very decent living as technical or marcom or advertising writers, moving from contract to contract. And yes, some of them also work on writing fiction in the night.

Self-Publishing

In the old days, self-publishing meant you couldn’t find a real publisher to take your manuscript. While that may still be true in some cases, times have changed. For some, self-publishing is a way to make money. This is especially true when you know the precise market niche your book will fill, and it makes economic sense for you to be both author and self-publisher. Self-publishing is also an option when you have a pet project on a very specific subject that may not warrant the attention of a trade publisher, but will interest enough people for you to have a go at it as a self-publisher.

Wrapping Up

These 22 ideas can help you make money as a writer, whether you have dreams of one day publishing a novel or just like getting paid to write.

Steve Schwarzman is a writer, editor, and translator. This article is adapted from Writers Book Mall, a site that offers books, software, and other resources for writers of all kinds. Reprinting is permitted provided that no changes are made to the article or to this bio.

You can find books on each of the subjects mentioned in this article at the Writers Book Mall.

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The opportunity is fantastic, and so is the writer’s life that you could enjoy. But where can you find the jobs you need to establish a full-time writing career?

One way to start is through working the Internet job boards. Here aAlso included and listed separately are resources for business and technical writers, editors, journalists, and translators.

Writers’ Resources–General

Absolute Write – freelance writing, screenwriting, playwriting, writing novels, nonfiction, comic book writing, greeting cards, poetry, songwriting. One stop shop

Emily’s Writing for the Web Emily A. Vander Veer gives professional writers the tools needed to promote, publish, and sell work to the largest and fastest-growing market in the world: the Web.

e-Writer’s Place For writing inspirations, motivations and prescriptions.

Freelance Writers is a searchable database of writers from all around the world.

Freelance Writing This is the ultimate job board for freelance writers.

Freelance Writing Organization – Int’l This site hosts one of the largest free writing resource links databases in the world! It offers education, daily news, a writer’s store, creativity advice and forums, to name a few of the resources. Over 2,000 free writing resources in 40+ categories of writing

FundsForWriters – A plethora of sources where freelance writers can find paying jobs

Momwriters A community of professional and new writers … who face the unique challenges of writing with children underfoot.

National Writer’s Union ‘The only U.S. trade union for freelance and contract writers.’ We offer contract advice, grievance resolution, health & dental plans, member education, Job Hotline, and networking. See also: Writers Union Job Hotline

Published! Articles and resources…from Marcia Yudkin, author of eleven books and hundreds of magazine articles, syndicated columnist, public radio commentator, writing coach

Published – The Directory of Independent Writers & Artists. searchable directory of independent Writers & Artists

SharpWriter Grammar. Complete writing resources. Lot of good stuff here but not geared expressly for freelancers

Suite101 This is an online community for writers. Not only is this a great site for work-at-home resources. You can apply to become an editor for them and get paid for your work.

Sunoasis Jobs for Writers, Editors, and Copywriters Employment opportunities for writers, journalists, new-media types on-line off-line in reporting feature writing reviewing editing free-lancing editorial content providing etc. … Recently submitted job offers: Copywriter, Freelance. Monarch Design, a design and advertising agency,

The Burry Man Writers Center freelance job links, resources for fiction and nonfiction writers, working professionals and beginners

with particular support for writing about Scotland

The New Writer – the monthly magazine with the best in fact, fiction and poetry. aimed at all writers: the short story writer, the novelist, the poet, feature writer, anyone with a serious intent to develop their writing to meet the expectations of today’s editors.

The Writers Home A Web Site For Writers, Editors And Lovers Of The Written Word.

TrAce Online Writing Community trAce connects writers and readers around the world … with the focus on creativity, collaboration and training. New media writing, web development

Worldwide Freelance Writer How to sell your writing overseas. Find out where to sell your freelance work. Detailed guidelines for paying writing markets all over the world.

WriteCraft Writers Resource Center Companion to the WriteCraft Critique Group – where writers learn the trade.

writejobs Job Title. Company. Location. Proofreader/editor. Bioedit Ltd. Freelance. Digital Photography Writers …

Writers Unbound Writing resources, Internet resources related to writing, writers, publishing, epublishing, authors and more. Articles and resources related to creative writing.

Writer’s Software SuperCenter Writer’s Software SuperCenter has software for writing books, articles, novels, and screenplays, including Writer’s Blocks software, StyleWriter editing software, StoryCraft, and more!

Writing World – Moira Allen provides writing tips, markets, news, contests and more.

The Writer’s Gazette Writing resource site for writers on freelance and publishing, including articles, job board, contests . Nice, comprehensive list of writers’ job boards.

Business and Technical

Copywriter world Freelance writers bid for writing projects such as resume writing, documents in APA style or MLA style writing, poems, sonnets, research papers, business plans, your biography, free e-books, your business proposal, essays, marketing plans, web content, ghost writing, ad copy, catalogs… virtually any form of writing.

Freelance Online – a professional online service for freelancers in the publishing and advertising fields. Free for employers; freelancers pay $15.00/year for membership.

Freelance Success Freelance Success is a community of professional, nonfiction writers who subscribe to a newsletter that guides them toward well-paying markets and editors. There is not a job board located on this site.

Techwriters Employs technical writers on and off site. The pay is excellent, but you must have a lot of experience with the topics

writingassist.com Provides local freelance technical writers for projects such as manuals, policies, software documentation, and work flow integration.

Children’s Literature

Institute of Children’s Literature offered the premiere writing course, books, and a newsletter to adults interested in learning how to write and be published for children and teens.

Editing

Manuscript Editing Fiction and Non-fiction; Serving writers, literary agents, and publishers since 1976.

Fiction

Fiction Factor – The Online Magazine for Fiction Writers. NEW!

International markets

Australian Writer’s Marketplace The essential resource for getting published in Australia and New Zealand.

Author Network – resources for writers including links, articles, monthly columns and ePublishing services.

Canadian Writer’s Journal Canada’s Independent Writer’s Magazine.

Freelance Spain – the online Spanish resource for editors and journalists.

FreelanceJournalist.co.uk Helping journalists build a presence on the web. The web directory for UK freelance journalists.

Freelancers.co.uk offers you the complete guide to freelancing for publishers as a copyeditor or proofreader.

New Zealand Writers Website Writing Resources for New Zealand writers

writelinkpro.co.uk WritelinkPRO is the content provider for top UK monthly newsletter and website. We pay on acceptance for writing articles, fiction, poetry, reviews. We offer free e-book workshops, free e-book on travel writing, exclusive Members Area.

Journalism

International Federation of Journalists – The world’s largest organization of journalists, representing around 450,000 members in more than 100 countries.

News Jobs Network Journalisms resources and News jobs in US, Canada and Utah.

UK Links 4 Journalists the most useful sites on the web. This is the journalist’s section.

Translation

ProZ: Freelance translators, translation services, agencies, jobs and directory …

Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia Fostering creative writing and the profession of writing in Nova Scotia.

Writerfind New Zealand Linking New Zealand writers with local and global markets.

Playwriters

writernetwork. We provide dramatic writers with the tools they need to build better careers and redefine the

About The Author

Janet K. Ilacqua is a freelance writer based in Tracy, California. She specializes in academic writing and ghostwriting of books and manuals for individuals and small businesses. For more information about her services, check her website at [http://www.writeupondemand.com].

jilacqua@aol.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_K._Ilacqua

If you’re a coffee lover and a travel writer, why not marry your two loves together? You do not have to be a “typical” travel writer. When you travel, you can stop at cafes and review them. This is a great niche market.

To begin your career as a cafe reviewer, start in your own backyard. You could review Starbucks and compare the chain to independent cafes. Another angle could be writing about cafes that offer live music.

Do you have a need for coffee?

People love their coffee. Wouldn’t it be great if you could provide them with great information about cafes around the world? The one thing that is the same about cafes is the product which is coffee. However, each cafe is unique. Be a travel writer who describes the ambiance of a cafe. Is there music? Is it live music? Do they have poetry night? What is the decor like? Take the reader inside a cafe and make her feel as if she is seeing what you’re seeing.

As a travel writer you could compile your articles into a book and become a published writer. You could title your book “Wake Up, Smell the Coffee – cafes Around the World!” Did you ever see the Seinfeld episode with Kramer and his coffee table book? This could be you, except less Kramer like!

Make sure you take many photographs of the cafes you visit. In fact, you could probably publish a photographic book of the different cafes you visited. You may find yourself in another career, photographer extraordinaire!

Get out of your rut

Wouldn’t it be fun to be a travel writer who pushes beyond the ordinary scope of a travel writer? The truth is you do not write the same old, same old destination travel articles. Writing about cafes is step in the right direction. How many travel writers cover this niche? The answer is probably not many. Will you take advantage of this opportunity?

Inspiration

Sitting in a brilliant cafe can give you inspiration. Here’s a tip: The Elephant House in Edinburgh, Scotland is fabulous. I visited The Elephant House in August 2007 and it was packed – great coffee and scones. By the way, J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter in this cafe. She may not be a travel writer, but she’s doing just fine!

Our website is dedicated to aspiring and experienced travel writers. You’ll find inspiration, encouragement, and education on everything travel writing.

Sign up for our weekly blog recap. If you’re about to travel this is a great way to keep up-to-date with the latest in travel writing. Also, check out our forum. If you have a question, login, and with a click of a button you’ll have the answer to your question.

URL: http://www.Travel-Writers-Exchange.com

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