Writer Qualifications

Writer Qualifications

In this post we are going to take a look at the required qualifications to become an author. I am going to focus on how to become a traditionally published writer in another post. We are going to focus on becoming a self-published author for the moment. So what writer qualifications are really necessary?

I am sure that most of you have already applied for a traditional 9-17 job. If you went through the job description every proper job asked for qualifications. Either a high school diploma, previous work experience in that field, the requirement to travel and so on.

But what if you want to become a writer? Do you need any writer qualifications?

Let´s face it. The only person you are applying to, if you want to become a self-published writer, is yourself. So we can make the answer short: You don´t need any writer qualifications to start earning money with your books.

None in the traditional and formal aspect. No. In this sense you don´t need any writer qualifications! None of your buyers are going to ask you for a degree before they order and enjoy your books.

I´m not saying that having qualifications are of no use, if you want to become a self-published author. For example if you hold a law degree and write a book on “how to unethically influence the judge in a divorce trial”. Having a law degree is going to reflect on the quality of your work. This was just an example. Please, if you are a lawyer and read this post never, ever, ever write a book on this and use your real name. I guarantee that you will get into trouble for disgracing your profession (in Central Europe at least).

Again, if you are an expert on a field, it is highly recommended to profit from your knowledge. Writing in very specialized niches can be very profitable. Let´s take the lawyer example again. You can write a book on mistakes to avoid before a divorce etc…

Since you are an expert on your field, you automatically possess writer qualifications in this area. Even if you have no writing experience at all. The only writer qualifications you will need is a proper command of your language. This includes but is not limited to grammar, spelling, punctuation and syntax.

What about Experience and Knowledge?

Do you know how to connect to the internet? Are you able to perform a google search? Can you use your keyboard and open a word text file?

If you answered yes on all of the above questions I have great news for you. You can become a non-fiction writer any day!

I wouldn´t recommend you to write an eBook about quantum physics if you have no idea about it. On the other hand if you came across a problem and managed to solve it, you can easily write a book about that.

Ever had acne? Ever caught a mouse? Ever had a dog? Ever cooked anything? Ever babysitted? Your available topics are virtually unlimited. Go and put them to use and don´t worry about it too much. Actually don´t worry about this whole article. You can write about anything!

The only factor you need to consider is the amount of work you need to put into researching. If you write a book on a topic you know much about, words will flow like the Niagara falls. If you have no idea, but an awesome idea with very low competition, writing will be much harder. But not impossible.

I wrote books on a couple of topics that I basically have no interest in at all. At least I had no interest in it before starting to write. Being a positive and open minded person goes a long way.

Conclusion:

Writer qualifications and experience is highly overrated. If you believe in yourself and throw aboard your limited believes, you will do just fine! Maybe not best seller fine to start with, but you can create a decent cash flow. Don´t let missing writer qualifications and limiting believes stop you!

Now go out and put your non existant writer qualifications combined with long and in-depth research to use!

Writer Qualifications