How to Become a Writer: Career Guide, Courses, Eligibility, Qualifications, Skills, Benefits, Salary

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Ahana Bhaduri

Content Writer

To become a writer, there are no specific courses that need to be taken up. The most crucial eligibility criteria to become a writer include candidates having passion and the flare for writing and creating stories that fascinate the readers. However, a degree in English can help candidates scale up the language barrier and create writeups worth reading and exploring. The average salary of a writer is INR 6.96 LPA in India with the highest salary can go up to INR 20 LPA and above depending on the sale and royalties. 

How to Become a Writer: Quick Facts

Qualifications BA English, BA Mass Communication, MA English
Starting Salary (INR) 3.60 LPA
Average Salary (INR) 6.96 LPA
Highest Salary (INR) 15 LPA & above
Top Recruiters Hindustan Times, Scoopwhoop, Scroll Media, YourStory (India), Silicon India

What are the Qualifications to Become a Writer?

The standard educational qualifications that candidates aspiring to be writers should meet are as follows.

  • Candidates must clear class 12 in any subject with a minimum of 45% marks from a recognised board. 
  • They must pursue courses in the language, creative writing, journalism or mass communication. They can also opt for a master’s degree for better career prospects.
  • Candidates have to qualify for entrance exams if they are targeting top colleges 

What are the Eligibility Criteria to Become a Writer?

The standard eligibility criteria that candidates looking for a future as a writer should fulfil are mentioned below.

  • ?Educational Qualification: 
    • For certificate and diploma courses, candidates are required to clear class 12.
    • For bachelor’s courses, candidates should clear class 12 with a minimum of 45% marks from a recognised board. 
    • They must possess different writing skills and have a deep knowledge of the topics in which they want to write.
  • Other Associated Skills:
    • Passion and a drive for writing and creating new stories

Types of Writers

Based on writing styles, genres and form, writers can be of many types. Some common types of writers include. 

  • Copywriters: Write persuasive and engaging content for marketing and advertising purposes. 
  • Technical Writers: Create documents or manuals that explain complex topics in a simple and understandable manner. 
  • Script Writers: Create written content like narrative structures and dialogues for a variety of visual mediums. 
  • Content Writers: Create written content for various mediums like websites, blogs and social media. 
  • Article Writers: Write informative written content mainly articles on a wide range of topics for online and print publications. 

Courses to Become a Writer

To become a writer, candidates have to pursue courses in their preferred writing language or creative writing to gain knowledge about different writing styles and skills. The details for the most popular courses are mentioned in the following table.

Parameters BA English BA Mass Communication MA English
Eligibility Class 12 Class 12 Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
Entrance Exams NPAT, CUET, JNUEE, IPU CET CUET, SET, TANCET, IPU CET NPAT, IPU CET, TISS BAT, JNUEE
Top Colleges Christ University, St. Xavier’s College, Jadavpur University, Osmania University, Delhi University SCMC, BILAMS, IMCMT, St. Francis College Miranda House, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Hindu College
Course Fees (INR) 8,000 - 1,30,000 1,00,000 - 2,00,000 40,000 - 50,000
Average Salary (INR) 2.5 LPA - 3.5 LPA 3 LPA - 6 LPA 3.5 LPA - 4 LPA
Top Recruiters Teaching institutes, Journalism, Publishing Houses, Translators New Indian Express, Scroll.in, Hindustan Times, Amazon India, Wipro, Penguin India Teaching institutes, Journalism, Publishing Houses, Translators

Top Colleges for Writers

Many colleges in India offer courses in languages and creative writing that aspiring writers can pursue. The details for some of the top colleges are mentioned in the table below.

Name of the Colleges Location Average Fees (INR)
Lady Shri Ram College for Women New Delhi 19,170
Loyola College Chennai 12,280
CMR University Bangalore 75,000
St. Xavier’s College Mumbai 5,537
Christ University Bangalore 75,000
Miranda House New Delhi 14,160
Presidency College Chennai 1,250
Madras Christian College Chennai 56,000
Hindu College New Delhi 22,500

What are the Skills Required to Become a Writer?

Becoming a writer requires a combination of skills and practice. Some of the top skills are tabulated below.

Writing skills Creativity Imagination
Research Editing Proofreading
Adaptability Time management Storytelling

What are the Benefits of Becoming a Writer?

Becoming a writer can offer a wide variety of intellectual and professional benefits. Some of the key benefits include.

  • Creative Expression - Writing allows candidates to share their thoughts, ideas and views with the world in a creative and artistic way. 
  • Personal Growth - As writers delve into their thoughts and experiences, they can get insights into their own values and beliefs. 
  • Career Opportunities - Writing skills are valuable in many professions allowing writers to write according to their interests.
  • Impact - Powerful writing can inspire change, raise awareness and create a positive impact on society. 

Top Recruiters for Writers

Writers can find opportunities in a variety of settings requiring creative writing. Some of the top recruiters for writers in India are mentioned in the table below.

Silicon India YourStory (India) Essentially Sports Godot Media Scroll Media
Scoopwhoop The Better India POPxo Gartner Hindustan Times

Salary of a Writer

The average salary of a writer is INR 3.96 LPA in India. Writers are earning up to INR 2 LPA at the start of their careers while the highest salary is INR 6 LPA. The average monthly earning of a writer in India is INR 33,777. 

The average salary of a writer across some of the top designations is mentioned in the table below.

Designations Average Annual Salary (INR)
Senior Writer 8.30 L
Lead Writer 9.63 L
Content Writer 3 L
Freelance Writer 5 L
Copywriter 4.2 L
Technical Writer 5.5 L
Script Writer 3.4 L
Journalist 3 L

How to Become a Writer: FAQs

Ques. How do I start a writing career?

Ans. Candidates should begin by honing their writing skills, pursuing a degree in a relevant field, building a portfolio of works and seeking opportunities to publish. 

Ques. How do I become a writer with no experience?

Ans. Candidates with no experience have to practice consistently, seek feedback and gradually build a portfolio while exploring opportunities at the same time. 

Ques. What should I do after 12 to become a writer?

Ans. To become a writer after class 12, candidates should develop their writing skills, gain knowledge about writing styles and pursue a formal education in language, creative writing, journalism or mass communication.

Ques. How do writers get paid?

Ans. Book royalties, content contracts, advertising revenue and freelance assignments are some of the top means through which writers earn. 

Ques. What is the highest salary of a writer?

Ans. The highest salary of a writer in India is INR 6 LPA

Ques. Can writing be a good career?

Ans. Writing can be a good and financially rewarding career for those who develop their skills, understand their niche and sustain in the competitive market. 

Ques. Do writers need a degree?

Ans. A formal degree is not mandatory, but it can provide valuable knowledge and skills useful in the writing career. 

Ques. Is it hard to be a writer?

Ans. Competition, rejection, consistent effort and improvement make the profession of a writer a challenging one. 

Ques. Is writing a good career in India?

Ans. Candidates with relevant skills, perseverance and the ability to change according to demand and trends can find writing a good career in India. 

Ques. What is the salary of a writer in India?

Ans. The average salary of a writer is INR 3.96 LPA in India.

Bachelor of Arts [BA] : 31 answered questions

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Ques. What is the minimum passing marks for BA in IGNOU?

● Top Answer By Shivani Bhat on 21 Nov 22

Ans. The passing marks at IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) are Theory - 30 out of 100 / 18 out of 50 Assignments - More than 50% If you fail to score 50% in assignments, you will have to resubmit them. If you score above 30 out of 100 or 18 out of 500 in theory, then you will pass without having submitted assignments. Percentage Calculation - Assignments- 30% weightage and Term End Examination- 70% weightage for FST (Foundation Course in Science & Technology) and FHS (Foundation Course in Humanities and Social Sciences).Read more
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Ques. How do I prepare for the BHU (BA) honors entrance exam?

● Top Answer By Jagriti Singh on 16 Nov 22

Ans. The BA (Hons.) entrance exam at BHU is quite easy. You can crack the exam by following these simple tips: Update yourself on the latest GK Solve all previous year's questions  Lucent’s GK is the best to prepare for this exam Go through the pattern of the paper and know your weaknesses and strengths. Get the BHU UET Social science guide (Arihant publication) and study it thoroughly. Keeping these tips in mind, score above 170 and you will get a decent rank.Read more
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Ques. How is life at JNU for MA students? Is it only hectic or do students have fun too?

● Top Answer By Akriti Banerjee on 04 Jul 23

Ans. My friend pursued his M.A. from JNU and according to him, he spent the best years of his life at JNU. He went to many well-renowned colleges and universities in the USA, however, JNU is unparalleled. At JNU, you will learn even when you are having fun. Female students feel safe on campus. Male students are respectful towards their female counterparts. There are no whistles or cat-calling incidents on campus. Females can walk fearlessly from one end of the campus to the other, even at midnight.  Life for M.A. students is very hectic at JNU. It is more challenging than one can expect. If you do not maintain a healthy work-life balance, you will end up spending all your time sitting in a corner with your laptop and books. Even your group discussions will end up being solely about studies. If you feel that it will be difficult for you to create a healthy balance between studies and enjoyment, you can join JNU as a Ph.D. student rather than as an M.A. student, you will then get more time to enjoy and experience life at JNU.Read more
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Ques. Which subjects come under a BA social science (Hons.) in BHU, Varanasi?

● Top Answer By Akanksha Rai on 16 Nov 22

Ans. There are two ways for a BA degree from BHU. One through the faculty of Arts and another one through the faculty of Social Sciences. The following subjects sone under a BA Social Science (Hons.) in BHU: Faculty of Arts- Economics History Political Science Sociology  Psychology  Mathematics Statistics Geography  Tourism and Travel Management  Faculty of Social Sciences- Ancient Indian History Culture and Archaeology  Arabic Archaeology and Museology  Applied Statistics Bengali Chinese Dance Education  English French Geography  German Hindi Home Science  History of Art Japanese Linguistics Marathi  Music Instrumental Music Vocal Nepali Office Management and secretarial practice  Pali Persian Philosophy  Physical Education  Painting  Psychology  Russian Sanskrit  Statistics  Telugu Tamil Travel and Tourism Management  UrduRead more
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Ques. What are average placements of BHU in LLB?

● Top Answer By Mayank Verma on 18 Nov 22

Ans. Almost 30 - 40 % of the students got placed. The highest salary package offered is 10 LPA , and the lowest salary package offered is 2 LPA. Top recruiting companies of our college are TCS, etc. Almost 50-60% of the students got an internship in firms, Sai & Associations, etc.Read more
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Ques. Can I apply for LLB after graduating B.A through IGNOU correspondence study?

● Top Answer By Devraj Mehta on 03 Nov 22

Ans. The eligibility criteria for various universities vary. Because IGNOU is a recognized university, you can certainly apply for admission to pursue LLB if you take the CET. The Bar Council of India does not recognize law degree programs completed through distance education, so IGNOU does not offer 3-year LLB, BA LLB, BBA LLB, or LLM programs. It should be noted that no entrance exam is required for IGNOU law programs (except for Ph.D. in Law). Candidates must simply register for IGNOU law programs by completing the application form and submitting their application fee, as well as the course fee.Read more
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Ques. What is BPP from IGNOU?

● Top Answer By Alok Thakkar on 21 Oct 22

Ans. The full form of BPP is Bachelor Preparatory Programme. Some important details of the course are as follows: Maximum duration  6 months Minimum duration 2 years Course fees INR 1000 Minimum age 18 years Maximum age No limit  The best part about the program is that it is eligible for almost everyone. No formal qualification is required for this course. BPP at IGNOU is specially designed for the ones who are willing to get a Bachelor's Degree from IGNOU but lack the required qualification i.e., passing 10+2. Because of this lack of qualification the students who haven’t passed 10+2 cannot apply for higher education anywhere. This programme has been designed to give such students an opportunity to enter higher education. Please note that this is just an enabling programme and not equivalent to 10+2.Read more
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Ques. Is there a semester system in IGNOU for BA courses?

● Top Answer By Anil Karki on 28 Oct 22

Ans. No, there is no semester system in IGNOU for BA courses. In IGNOU students are enrolled in two cycles (January and June). The submission of assignments and TEE (Term End Examination) is scheduled once a year. Although assignments can be submitted only once a year, there is a high chance that if you fail to appear in May or December TEE, you can appear for that particular subject on another cycle. For example, you enrolled in this course in 2021. If you wish to appear for June 2022 TEE, you are required to submit the assignments by March 30 2022. If you fail to appear or pass the TEE, you can appear for the same exam in December 2022.Read more
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Ques. Is it a good idea to graduate from IGNOU while simultaneously preparing for UPSC CSE? Exactly how tough is it to get a BA degree from IGNOU?

● Top Answer By Saurabh Mishra on 10 Nov 20

Ans. Indira Gandhi National Open University is a public university approved by NCTE and AICTE. It offers a number of open learning programs and is well known and recognized among a number of different organizations like the Association of Indian Universities, therefore, doing a B.A. degree from here is a good choice. The following points highlight important aspects of obtaining a B.A degree from the institute. Academics: The BA degrees at IGNOU offer a wide variety of core disciplines in subjects like Economics, Sociology, and Public Administration with a lot of the course work overlapping with UPSC preparations. The exams for the coursework are also designed such that they benefit the student if they are appearing for other exams like UPSC. IGNOU is known for its well-founded courses that ensure the best interests of the student. Depending on if one plans to choose a distance learning or open course degree, one can choose to appear for UPSC. BA degree from IGNOU: Obtaining a BA degree from the university depends upon if you are a part-time student at the institute or committed to full-time study. The former situation might be a little tough on the student. Students are continuously evaluated with assignments, marks from which are counted for the final result. Assignments carry a weightage of 30% of the total result. Students are barred from appearing for end term examinations if they miss an assignment. The major evaluation component is the term-end evaluation system which carries a total of 70% weightage. These exams are conducted twice a year. Students are expected to study from the course material provided and answer accordingly to the point. Most importantly, ensure that one is registered for the exam, failing which results are not declared. In conclusion, you can definitely prepare for the UPSC CSE at the same time as your BA degree. While it is not very tough to clear the BA degree, a habit of regular study will definitely help one obtain it with a good result.Read more
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Ques. Which course can I take after completing bpp from Indira Gandhi national open university? Can I go to other universities after bpp?

● Top Answer By Tausif Khan on 23 Jul 22

Ans. After completing BPP from IGNOU, you can opt for bachelors programs offered by the university. The BPP course is for students who wish to pursue a bachelor's degree from IGNOU but doesn’t have the required qualifications. No, you can’t join other universities after doing BPP from IGNOU. You will have to complete your bachelor's from IGNOU. The BPP course will have no value if you don’t complete your graduation. IGNOU also doesn’t issue certificates for BPP only. Read more
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