association of professional writers

association of professional writers

Professional Writing: Unlocking Success

1. The Importance of Professional Writing

Incorrect: A professional writer lives here- one who sacrifices vitality, elegance, passion, for clarity and meaningful precision, is a writer on writing.” So, the question is, whether good writing is important in the work of a professional? The answer is, of course, that it is. It is not unusual to hear people say that they are not good writers even though they may be competent engineers, doctors, technicians or professors. They will say that the writing part of their job, which may take the form of reports, memos, documentation, manuals and so forth, is only a sideline and an expression of their real work. Now we can agree that, in the hierarchy of basics, it is often the case that the “good writing”, the “good grammar” and so on, take a secondary position to the actual good theorizing, experimenting, treating, building, observing, selling or whatever the work may involve. However, this does not mean that the good writing is unimportant. It is too facile to say “I am a physicist, not a writer, so it does not matter how my report is written as long as the physics is good.” Richard Feynman has called heavy emphasis to this attitude with story of a foolish man who built a watch that he was so proud of, he had the masterpiece encased in a block of steel so that no one could ever see how the watch worked. Coming back to a more theoretical example, a poorly written document about a computer program can hinder the program’s usefulness and possibly doom it to becoming an obscure or forgotten thing.

2. Enhancing Writing Skills for Success

Using a grammar check function will not show any of these sentences as incorrect, but the first sentence holds a completely different meaning than the second. This difference in meaning will change the whole context of what the writer is trying to say. This is why proofreading multiple times is important. With the last read, reading the sentences from end to beginning will help recognize any spelling mistakes. This prevents the sentence from forming a word, thus spelling a different word with a different meaning.

Correct: The poor boy cared for the hurt animal. Incorrect: The poor boy cared the hurt animal.

These types of mistakes are usually hard to find because the sentences should be rephrased in order to make sense to the reader. The quicker the reader understands what the writer is saying, the more interested they will be in the writing. Nonetheless, proofreading is the most important part. Grammar and spelling checks can be quite misleading and may contradict what the writer is trying to say. Take, for example, the following two sentences.

The grammatical agreement rule is important for not confusing readers. View the sentences below.

3. Navigating the Association of Professional Writers

The Association of Professional Writers is a group designed to facilitate the learning, networking, and career growth of professional and freelance writers. APW offers many services to its members, such as access to exclusive content, discounts on writing products, contest entry, and networking through social media and their forums. Qualifications to join the APW include finding one’s primary source of income through professional writing or having been published in a paying market. Membership to the APW is a worthwhile investment for all professional writers because it will help them grow in their careers. With the knowledge and networking attained through this group, writers can move into higher paying markets and take advantage of opportunities such as teaching and public speaking. The primary source of networking is through the APW forums. The APW boasts that it is “much more than just a message board, it is a private writer’s community.” Writers can connect with other writers who may be in the same markets as them or those with experience who can offer advice and direction. This networking community is an invaluable resource, as it can open doors to opportunities that writers would not be able to find independently. An example might be a forum member finding a mentor who can help them improve their craft and steer them into more lucrative markets.

4. Resources and Opportunities for Professional Writers

Writers of all kinds constantly need access to resources and opportunities both to advance their career and increase the quality of their writing. There are many opportunities for writers in freelancing and genre writing. Some writers take up jobs in the food industry, where they write articles on new recipes, menu items, and various food. Another writer might take on a job crafting biographies for individuals and will then have his client interview various people in the subject’s life. The interviews will then be compiled and crafted into a successful biography. By branching out into such opportunities, a writer not only increases their versatility but they are able to apply knowledge and interests into a writing career. This, in turn, can translate into improvement of skill and writing quality. Many writers have a passion to write the stories and novels they have in their head but are often unaware of the resources that could make their dream a reality. People with an interest in genre writing should always look at local clubs or organizations; many organizations will have information on local writing groups and a genre writer could find a wealth of information and resources on his craft and possibly meet a mentor. Science fiction, fantasy, and horror writers attending conventions are in for a big treat, as these conventions usually have writing workshops with some of the best in the genre. Writing workshops are a key resource to any writer, and getting feedback on one’s work from a published author is invaluable.

5. Advancing Your Career in Professional Writing

Always keep an eye out for opportunities for growth, whether it’s a chance to lead a small project at work, edit a company newsletter, or write an article for your industry’s trade publication. As you take on fresh challenges and showcase new writing talents, remember to update your resume or portfolio. According to career-focused author and journalist Frank Armstrong, “Nothing is more important to a writer’s career than a document that evidences the scope and quality of that writer’s thinking and writing.” A quality portfolio proves to others—and reminds you—what you are capable of. This is important when it comes time for performance reviews, negotiations for raises or promotions, or a search for a new job. And yes, you could very likely have a performance review or job interview that requires you to write. Be prepared!

A wide variety of industries require writing talent, and that’s good news for all you writers out there. With solid writing skills, you can work in almost any field. Yet even in entry-level positions, you may work on everything from vital internal documents to press releases and web content to hard-hitting sales presentations. At times, you may be the only person speaking for your company, and your words may be read by millions. No pressure, right? If you want to climb that ladder, jump across to the next rung, or swing to a new and more rewarding career vine, you need to step up your game by continuously improving your writing skills and by demonstrating to employers and clients your value as a writer.