How to Become a Writer: Do I Need a Degree?

If you have a strong love for language and have decided to make the writer's life your own, then you’ve chosen a profession that offers a number of opportunities, flexibility and creative license.

Professionally, you have the option to pursue full-time positions with companies that offer the security of a regular paycheck and benefits or strike out on your own as a freelancer. You can even combine the two pathways, building a diverse resume that can make you more marketable and allow exploration into new styles of writing.

That's what Joie Gibson '15 '18G did.

Gibson, who teaches English composition courses at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) while also working as an academic advisor, has built up a professional writing portfolio. Her work has been published in a magazine, an online journal and three anthologies, and she has edited a handful of novels, too. Gibson is also the advisor for the Creative Writing Review Club at SNHU.

How did she get her start, though — and how can you become a writer, too?

How Do I Start a Career in Writing?

A career in writing allows you to make a living from your own unique creative process. It can also take you in any number of different directions — from travel blogging and email marketing to writing a novel or screenplay. Whether you choose to write on behalf of an employer or put your own creations out there for others to enjoy, writing can take you far.

Because there are so many directions you can take as a writer, there are also many ways to get started.

Gibson began developing a portfolio when she was a student at SNHU.

"I knew I needed to build my body of published works, so I reached out to (a Dallas, Texas, magazine) and simply asked if they would consider publishing one of my poems," she said. "I explained I was a grad student and needed to be published to advance my career."

That outreach led to an even better opportunity. The magazine was looking for a regular short story contributor. "Would I be interested? Would I? Most definitely," Gibson said. "Short stories are what I write!"

When she later learned of a writing position in the mortgage industry, she took a copy of the magazine that published her stories to the interview.

"Before I could even change out of my interview suit, they called and offered me the job," Gibson said. "They said it was the magazine work that sealed the deal."

You might have the same experience as Gibson as you find your footing in this field. These three tried and true steps may help, though.

Pick a Niche

One of the best ways to set yourself up for success as a professional writer is to establish your authority in a specific niche.

A major concern new writers can have is what kind of writing to pursue. While you want to open yourself up to as many potential clients or employers as possible, you need to determine what areas you will be able to write most effectively within.

SNHU graduate Lisa Mildon '18 came to writing from a career in IT. While working in IT, she gained experience in technical writing. As she wrapped up her bachelor's degree in creative writing and English at SNHU, she landed a job that united her tech know-how with her interest in writing. She became a writer for a website dedicated to creating technology content.

While she's since moved into other writing arenas, choosing that niche helped Mildon establish her writing career.

"Find an area/topic that you love to write about or can easily become an expert in, such as technology, finance, entertainment," she said. Mildon noted that having expertise in a specific area or topic could potentially give you an advantage over potential competitors.

When Gibson worked in the mortgage industry, she reviewed 800 new, updated or rewritten documents annually that reflected changing laws.

"While the content was a bit dry, it was a great way to hone my editing skills," she said. "I was able to use my developmental editing skills as well as my line and copy editing skills." And although she spent her days writing within a niche, she didn't lose sight of her personal work.

If you're just getting started as a writer, Gibson recommends thinking outside the box. "Policy and procedure writing is not something I ever would have considered," she said.

Even if the niche you pursue isn't at the top of your list of interests, Gibson emphasized the benefit of being able to support yourself while working on your other creative writing.

Read more: What is a Creative Writer and What Do They Do?

Gain Experience

Write to grow your craft and your portfolio and your audience. Write for yourself, but also seek opportunities to get your writing in front of others.

According to Mildon, as you gain experience, new opportunities may start to appear. "You may have to have a less 'creative' job while you gain that new experience," she said.

She recommends starting a blog and taking advantage of websites such as Medium, a digital publisher with millions of collaborators.

You can also volunteer your time and talents to other organizations. You never know where opportunities can take you. Mildon volunteered as a writer and editor for Coffee House Writers, and in 2022, she acquired the organization. She now manages more than 40 writers and editors.

Mildon also recommends equipping yourself with some tech skills, particularly as they relate to using content management systems (CMS), such as WordPress. "If you can know how to do basic article writing and posting in (WordPress), that can help you learn and more easily navigate some more complex CMS," she said.

It's hard work to become a writer, and Mildon said it can sometimes be a lonely process. It's important to seek out a community — be it through school, local organizations or online writing groups.

"Make sure you have some sort of support group to keep encouraging you along the way," she said.

Study Writing

While much of writing relies on creativity and practice, a formal education can be helpful.

If you're interested in a bachelor's degree, consider one of these programs:

• Creative writing degree: Within a creative writing program, you could take classes that explore the publishing industry and literary theory, and you can add a concentration in fiction, nonfiction, poetry or screenwriting.
• English degree: Bachelor's degrees in English are also reading and writing-intensive, allowing you to dive deep into a range of literary works. With concentrations such as professional writing, you could gain skills geared to help you succeed in business — particularly within roles such as editing, copywriting and technical writing.
• Communication degree: Though they are a natural fit, you aren’t restricted solely to English or creative writing programs. If you’re interested in public relations work or journalism, look into a communication program that would expose you to these topics and the forms of writing practitioners in these fields use. Consider courses focusing on specific styles, like technical writing.

Author and content creator Haley-Grace McCormick '24 said she learned the "building blocks" of writing while earning her bachelor's degree in creative writing and English at SNHU.

"It's something I'm going to continue, you know, using as I write my next books and my next books," she said. "And it's really just that foundation that it creates for you to be able to bring your stories to life."

In addition to studying the mechanics, she said she also appreciated the program's focus on critical thinking.

"The critical thinking skills were so beneficial, and being able to step back from situations and say, okay, let's go from point A to point Z and understand everything in between here and to really break a situation down," she said. "Being able to have critical thinking skills, it really does make you leaps and bounds ahead in the business side of the book world as well."

Consider a Master's Degree

You can also look ahead to the options offered at the graduate level, such as an MFA in Creative Writing, especially if you have your sights set on becoming a novelist.

When Elle Michael River '20MFA first began her MFA at SNHU, she was nervous and wondered whether she belonged in the program. But as soon as she started interacting with her instructors and peers, she said she was met with kindness and positivity.

Now a graduate, River is no longer a writer with imposter syndrome. She's a writer with confidence and skills that have prepared her for the field.

"I feel uniquely qualified to be both a writer and an educator and a freelancer in a way that I didn't before this program because I was given not only the theory but the practical tools to succeed," she said.

One of the greatest benefits you may find by taking college courses is the variety of critical approaches you’ll engage with and how the elements of effective writing have evolved over time. Understanding these concepts can influence your creative development in powerful ways.

Is It Hard to Become a Writer?

While strong writing skills can open doors, getting your name out there and establishing your expertise can take time and persistence — and sometimes rejection.

"Putting our work out there to be read by people we don't know is terrifying, but stories have been an integral facet of human culture for millennia," said Derrick Craigie, a speculative fiction author and senior associate dean of liberal arts programs at SNHU. "It's important work that needs to continue."

Looking for the positives of being a writer can be especially important at the outset of your career as you work toward publication. Gaining clients, drafting proposals, cold emailing or finding a publisher willing to take a chance on your debut novel can take time.

New York Times bestselling fantasy author Brandon Sanderson isn’t shy about sharing the long road he had to travel to publish his first book.

“I wrote 13 novels before I sold 'Elantris,' which was my sixth … It took about eight years of dedicated writing and being rejected,” he said in an interview with The Penmen Review, SNHU's online creative writing journal.

Romance author Emma Chase had to go through multiple rejections before selling her first novel, and for Mia Siegert, author of “Jerkbait,” it took 208.

Finding the best ways to deal with the challenges of the writing world will be a process unique to the individual. Think about what is important to you as a professional and what kind of lifestyle you want to enjoy.

How Can I Improve My Writing Skills?

If you're wondering how to become a better writer, your mind is in the right place. Writing is an art: one that needs development and refinement. To break into writing as a profession — or to keep pushing forward — continuing to develop your craft can only benefit you.

Mildon believes that discipline can help. "Write every day, even if it’s just a couple hundred words," she said.

She also recommends reading the type of writing you want to do. "Read both well-written and badly-written stories," she said. "Now consider what makes that story good or bad and how that applies to your own style."

Storytelling is another key skill to hone as a writer, and Mildon believes that ongoing learning of any kind helps. "Whether it’s learning a new language, how to cook a soufflé or learning a new word a day, keeping mentally stimulated will not only help keep you sharp, but improve your storytelling in unexpected ways," Mildon said.

Gibson echoes this formula for improvement: "Keep writing. Keep reading. Keep learning," she said. And she also believes you must be self-motivated, organized and dedicated to your work.

How to Make Money With a Writing Career

Once you’ve chosen what kind of writing you want to do, it's time to figure out what job will allow you to pursue it. You may already have this figured out, but if not, explore different options that fit into your niche:

Audience Developer

"If you’re great at researching, audience development is a great way to use those skills while learning what kinds of topics attract readers," Mildon said.

Work in this type of role can also introduce you to technical skills such as search engine optimization (SEO) and metrics tools, such as Google Analytics, according to Mildon, that are essential if you aspire to work in content writing.

Author

Whether you want to be the next Dan Brown or make a name as a biographer or historian, releasing books can be a satisfying way to make the most of your writing skills.

With the rise of digital media and the e-book, there are multiple avenues to publishing. You can team up with a publishing house or break with the traditional methodology and self-publish. How lucrative becoming an author is depends on a number of factors tied to the success of your work.

Learn about the different types of genres you could pursue as an author.

Author's Assistant

As you write your book with dreams of seeing it published, working as an author's assistant can give you a window into the publishing industry.

Over the past few years, Gibson has been an assistant to two urban fantasy authors where she has helped build newsletters and attended conventions with them.

"This gives me a chance to make connections in the industry," Gibson said.

Content Writer/Copywriter

Both content writers and copywriters are professionals sought out for their skill in tackling a diverse range of writing projects that often seek to promote a business and enhance marketing efforts.

These writers can wear many hats, particularly those who work on a freelance basis, finding themselves involved in public relations campaigns, marketing and advertising strategies, website development, consulting on content strategies for blogs and writing case studies.

If this interests you, find out how you can become a copywriter.

Editor

From novel manuscripts to newspaper articles and web content, editors are an important part of the publishing world. A strong understanding of language and the ability to revise written copy to maximize its potential are the bread and butter of this career.

Additionally, editors can find work through traditional employment as well as on a freelance basis.

Fact-checker

As a fact-checker, you could help writers and brands save face through some serious research skills and may even assist them by updating their work.

"If you’re great at finding reliable information, a detail-oriented person or just strive for accuracy, fact-checking is perfect," Mildon said.

Publicist

Similar to the role of a public relations (PR) professional, you could work as a publicist, helping authors promote their work.

Author and SNHU graduate Jessica Cozzi '22MFA first learned about the role of a book publicist when she was in high school. She and her friends started a book review blog — and it gained a following.

"We started getting pitches from publicists at publishing companies that wanted to offer us early copies of books," Cozzi said. This is when she realized she could pursue a career that united her love of reading and writing.

As a teenager, she was determined to become a book publicist one day. While working in an administrative assistant role, Cozzi built relationships with publicists and expressed an interest in their work. Down the line, those connections helped her when a job became available.

Now, she's a book publicist for HarperCollins Publishers and said she loves her job.

"I think working in PR, specifically, is really fun because you never have the same day twice," she said. "Some days I'm sending pictures. Some days I'm going with my authors to Good Morning America. Some days I'm traveling to Seattle with one of my authors for a book tour. Some days, I'm helping them move their luggage between hotels because the paparazzi found them."

Screenwriter

From the small screen to the silver screen, screenwriters use the power of their writing to create visual and auditory experiences.

Whether they’re writing a major blockbuster or a mid-season episode for a soap opera, these writers are the creative engines of the film industry.

Read more: How to Become a Screenwriter

Teacher

Share your passion and knowledge with the next generation of writers as a teacher. Whether you're teaching English language arts to high school students or leading creative writing workshops at the college level, educators are in a position to inspire students, nurture talent and encourage goals.

It's important to note that some teaching roles have certain education and licensure requirements. Be sure to research the qualifications you may need.

Technical Writer

These writers specialize in composing instruction materials or communications, such as guides, manuals, white papers and case studies.

While the style is less creative than what is used in many of the other jobs writers can pursue, technical writing projects are typically on the higher end of the pay scale, making for a profitable way to build your career as a writer.* The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a median annual income of $91,670 for technical writers.*

Read more: What Does a Technical Writer Do?

How to Become a Freelance Writer

Some writers turn to freelance work to help pay the bills, either in a part-time or full-time capacity. If you want the freedom to build your own schedule and clientele, you may seek freelance opportunities yourself.

As you're searching for work, professional networking is key.

"Your connections could lead to your next freelancing gig," Mildon said. "Besides being the owner of your freelancing business, you’re your own marketing and PR department. Be prepared to market your skills often."

If you choose the freelance route, familiarize yourself with the following:

• Basic accounting and bookkeeping
• Budgeting
• Tax laws
• Time management strategies

"Make sure you learn the business aspects of freelancing," Mildon said. "You are your own boss; therefore, you are your own business."

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Rebecca LeBoeuf Blanchette '18 '22G is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University, where she fulfills her love of learning daily through conversations with professionals across a range of fields. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Professional Writing at SNHU’s campus in Manchester, New Hampshire, and followed her love of storytelling into the online Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing at SNHU. Connect with her on LinkedIn.