The fact is, words can triumph over just about anything. Even if you acknowledge the occasional truth of another saying, "A picture paints a thousand words", any picture has its limitations. If the viewer is not certain what the picture is about, it takes words to explain. It also takes words to theorize about what led up to the picture, what happened after the picture was taken, drawn or painted, and the many reactions that the picture might prompt.

Visualize a website you've visited recently. Imagine it without pictures. Could you still find out what you wanted to know - or order the product you were after? The likely answer is 'yes'. Now imagine it without words. What's the situation this time? You'd be floundering.

What has this got to do with your writing career?

Everything.

If you can use words well, you can find a way to make money in many, many different arenas. Really, a competent wordsmith is spoiled for choice. Quite a number of writers (myself included) have found themselves in the happy situation of having to decide which trail to follow - because the load is too great if you try to do everything. In my case, I had achieved success in writing short stories, writing articles, writing books for children, writing promotional material (copywriting) and ghostwriting. I was working far too many hours a week... something had to give.

In the short term I focused on writing books for children, but this eventually gave way to writing 'how to' material and website copy. Now, I run an internet business and specialize in e-books and multi-media products. Words are still my business, but in many different ways. I have proved beyond doubt that there are endless opportunities out there for writers.

Money Trails: Where Your Writing Skills Can Lead

Here are just a few of the options for a skilled writer:

• Writing articles - for magazines, websites and ezines

• Ghostwriting - write for others who are either too busy or don't have the skills (or both)

• Copywriting - website copy, advertisements, promotional material, catalogues and much more

• Writing books (fiction) - for children or adults. There are countless genres - crime, mystery, romance, adventure, fantasy, thriller, suspense, science fiction, westerns, historical and many more.

• Writing non-fiction books. This is a huge field, both online and offline. Write for adults or children or in-between. Note: E-books are easy to produce and easy to sell, once you've learned the basics of selling online. Thousands of people are searching for 'how to' advice every day.

• Creative pursuits - greeting cards, hand-made cards, hand-made books, decorative scrolls etc

• Scriptwriting - plays and film scripts, for adults or children. Not easy to break in, but can be very, very lucrative.

• Editing and Proofreading - if you have a strong background in English style and grammar, there's ongoing work here. You need to establish a track record before you advertise, and be ready to produce samples of your work. There are a number of courses available to give you formal qualifications in this field.

• Critique Service - if you already have writing credits, or a strong record in critiquing the work of published writers, you can establish a critique service. Set up a website and you'll contact many more people.

• Resumes - There's a steady stream of people looking for organized, reliable writers to translate their work experience into an impressive resume.

• Family histories - this is a specialized niche worth exploring. Set up some templates on your computer, obtain some basic equipment to scan photos/documents, and you can help others to organize their family stories. A good digital voice recorder is useful too.

• Column Writing - If you are an expert in a certain subject, or have a great sense of humour and a whimsical 'take' on everyday life, explore the possibility of writing
  Discount Homeowners Insurance
  To get the best homeowners insurance policy you need to understand what you are looking for. Personally, I have noticed that you will pay much more by not knowing your facts before getting quotes. First, there are a number of discount homeowners insurance policies available from state to state, which are very different from each other, depending on if you rent or own your home or condo.First, Do you own your own home? If so, there are three types of policies available to you. The first level of homeowners insurance is a limited coverage policy. Limited will cover you against disasters like fire, lightening, wind, hail, explosion, riot, aircraft, vehicles, smoke, and usually
  r? The likely answer is 'yes'. Now imagine it without words. What's the situation this time? You'd be floundering.

  What has this got to do with your writing career?

  Everything.

  If you can use words well, you can find a way to make money in many, many different arenas. Really, a competent wordsmith is spoiled for choice. Quite a number of writers (myself included) have found themselves in the happy situation of having to decide which trail to follow - because the load is too great if you try to do everything. In my case, I had achieved success in writing short stories, writing articles, writing books for children, writing promotional material (copywriting) and ghostwriting. I was working far too many hours a week... something had to give.

  In the short term I focused on writing books for children, but this eventually gave way to writing 'how to' material and website copy. Now, I run an internet business and specialize in e-books and multi-media products. Words are still my business, but in many different ways. I have proved beyond doubt that there are endless opportunities out there for writers.

  Money Trails: Where Your Writing Skills Can Lead

  Here are just a few of the options for a skilled writer:

  • Writing articles - for magazines, websites and ezines

  • Ghostwriting - write for others who are either too busy or don't have the skills (or both)

  • Copywriting - website copy, advertisements, promotional material, catalogues and much more

  • Writing books (fiction) - for children or adults. There are countless genres - crime, mystery, romance, adventure, fantasy, thriller, suspense, science fiction, westerns, historical and many more.

  • Writing non-fiction books. This is a huge field, both online and offline. Write for adults or children or in-between. Note: E-books are easy to produce and easy to sell, once you've learned the basics of selling online. Thousands of people are searching for 'how to' advice every day.

  • Creative pursuits - greeting cards, hand-made cards, hand-made books, decorative scrolls etc

  • Scriptwriting - plays and film scripts, for adults or children. Not easy to break in, but can be very, very lucrative.

  • Editing and Proofreading - if you have a strong background in English style and grammar, there's ongoing work here. You need to establish a track record before you advertise, and be ready to produce samples of your work. There are a number of courses available to give you formal qualifications in this field.

  • Critique Service - if you already have writing credits, or a strong record in critiquing the work of published writers, you can establish a critique service. Set up a website and you'll contact many more people.

  • Resumes - There's a steady stream of people looking for organized, reliable writers to translate their work experience into an impressive resume.

  • Family histories - this is a specialized niche worth exploring. Set up some templates on your computer, obtain some basic equipment to scan photos/documents, and you can help others to organize their family stories. A good digital voice recorder is useful too.

  • Column Writing - If you are an expert in a certain subject, or have a great sense of humour and a whimsical 'take' on everyday life, explore the possibility of writing
    A Home Equity Loan Makes That project Possible
    There comes a time for every home owner when they wish to make some changes to their home. This might be done a few months after they purchase a new home, in order to give it a more personal feel, or it might be done after someone has been living in the same house for a while and decided that it is time for an upgrade. All home owners must think about where they will get the funds for the project.There is some good news on the home repair front. Home owners do not have to sacrifice their lifestyles for a while in order to save the money to make the project work. Instead, there are a couple of options that can be exercised.The first option is applying for a mortgage,
    ow to' material and website copy. Now, I run an internet business and specialize in e-books and multi-media products. Words are still my business, but in many different ways. I have proved beyond doubt that there are endless opportunities out there for writers.

    Money Trails: Where Your Writing Skills Can Lead

    Here are just a few of the options for a skilled writer:

    • Writing articles - for magazines, websites and ezines

    • Ghostwriting - write for others who are either too busy or don't have the skills (or both)

    • Copywriting - website copy, advertisements, promotional material, catalogues and much more

    • Writing books (fiction) - for children or adults. There are countless genres - crime, mystery, romance, adventure, fantasy, thriller, suspense, science fiction, westerns, historical and many more.

    • Writing non-fiction books. This is a huge field, both online and offline. Write for adults or children or in-between. Note: E-books are easy to produce and easy to sell, once you've learned the basics of selling online. Thousands of people are searching for 'how to' advice every day.

    • Creative pursuits - greeting cards, hand-made cards, hand-made books, decorative scrolls etc

    • Scriptwriting - plays and film scripts, for adults or children. Not easy to break in, but can be very, very lucrative.

    • Editing and Proofreading - if you have a strong background in English style and grammar, there's ongoing work here. You need to establish a track record before you advertise, and be ready to produce samples of your work. There are a number of courses available to give you formal qualifications in this field.

    • Critique Service - if you already have writing credits, or a strong record in critiquing the work of published writers, you can establish a critique service. Set up a website and you'll contact many more people.

    • Resumes - There's a steady stream of people looking for organized, reliable writers to translate their work experience into an impressive resume.

    • Family histories - this is a specialized niche worth exploring. Set up some templates on your computer, obtain some basic equipment to scan photos/documents, and you can help others to organize their family stories. A good digital voice recorder is useful too.

    • Column Writing - If you are an expert in a certain subject, or have a great sense of humour and a whimsical 'take' on everyday life, explore the possibility of writing
      Secured Homeowner Loans - Low Cost Borrowings Without Hurdles
      For a homeowner, his home is not just a place of comfort to live in, but more than that home is also the base of taking a loan at cheaper rate. So homeowner can put home to maximum utilization in making himself financially stronger. Secured homeowner loans are popular amongst the borrowers, for these loans are of low cost and are seldom a burden for the homeowners. The loan amount can be put to variety of usages like home improvements, clearing debts, paying for medical, wedding or educational expenses etc.As is clear from the name itself, secured homeowner loans are offered to the borrowers against their home as security. The advantage of secured homeowner loans lies in its
      l and many more.

    • Writing non-fiction books. This is a huge field, both online and offline. Write for adults or children or in-between. Note: E-books are easy to produce and easy to sell, once you've learned the basics of selling online. Thousands of people are searching for 'how to' advice every day.

    • Creative pursuits - greeting cards, hand-made cards, hand-made books, decorative scrolls etc

    • Scriptwriting - plays and film scripts, for adults or children. Not easy to break in, but can be very, very lucrative.

    • Editing and Proofreading - if you have a strong background in English style and grammar, there's ongoing work here. You need to establish a track record before you advertise, and be ready to produce samples of your work. There are a number of courses available to give you formal qualifications in this field.

    • Critique Service - if you already have writing credits, or a strong record in critiquing the work of published writers, you can establish a critique service. Set up a website and you'll contact many more people.

    • Resumes - There's a steady stream of people looking for organized, reliable writers to translate their work experience into an impressive resume.

    • Family histories - this is a specialized niche worth exploring. Set up some templates on your computer, obtain some basic equipment to scan photos/documents, and you can help others to organize their family stories. A good digital voice recorder is useful too.

    • Column Writing - If you are an expert in a certain subject, or have a great sense of humour and a whimsical 'take' on everyday life, explore the possibility of writing
      Trend Following – A Simple Method For Catching The Big Moves
      We all want to capture the big forex trends that yield the big profits.It’s great to be in at the start and hold them for weeks and even months, but how do you do it?Here is a simple method to help you.The weekly chartStart with the weekly chart and you will see the big picture and look for important areas of resistance that have been tested several times.Now you have the big picture move to the daily chart.See if you can see resistance in the same areas.Make sure you only look for valid support with tests that have occurred several weeks or months apart.You know then that these breaks if they occur will be significant and wil
      ons in this field.

    • Critique Service - if you already have writing credits, or a strong record in critiquing the work of published writers, you can establish a critique service. Set up a website and you'll contact many more people.

    • Resumes - There's a steady stream of people looking for organized, reliable writers to translate their work experience into an impressive resume.

    • Family histories - this is a specialized niche worth exploring. Set up some templates on your computer, obtain some basic equipment to scan photos/documents, and you can help others to organize their family stories. A good digital voice recorder is useful too.

    • Column Writing - If you are an expert in a certain subject, or have a great sense of humour and a whimsical 'take' on everyday life, explore the possibility of writing a regular column for your local newspaper or a specialist magazine. This can lead to bigger things later.
    These 12 suggestions barely scratch the surface of career options available to writers. It's one of the most flexible and portable careers available. Why not think hard about where your skill with words may lead? Finally, here are a few questions to help direct your thinking:
    1. What do I most like to read? (Fiction or non-fiction? Romances or thrillers? Biographies or 'how to'?)

    2. What do I like to watch on TV? (Reality shows? Cop shows? Soap operas? The Discovery Channel? History?)

    3. What kind of writing makes the hours at the keyboard fly past?

    4. What is the best 'fit' with my life now - short stories, articles, a novel, 'how to'...?
    Once you start thinking about what you really want to write, you might be surprised to find yourself going in an entirely different direction. The only thing for certain is this: there are many trails that a writer can follow - and a number of them have the potential to bring in a very comfortable income.

    (c) Copyright Marg McAlister 2004