Could you ever dream up a character like Harry Potter or Hannibal Lector?

Authors are the creative wordsmiths responsible for writing literary works such as novels, poetry, scripts and articles.

In Western Australia there are approximately 255 authors, with 78% living and working in the Perth metropolitan region.

There are almost equal numbers of females and males working in this occupation, with the average age being 45 years plus.

Each year approximately 1,000 people commence an arts degree majoring in communication and cultural studies, literature and creative writing. Not all are intending to become authors.

Whether it's Shakespeare, Quentin Tarentino or the writing team responsible for The X-Files, there's no doubt that authors leave their creative mark on the world. By utilising many different mediums, including theatre, fiction, non fiction, television, cinema and even CD Roms, they can fashion an idea into a tangible work.

Midnight Muse

Not all authors are cloistered away in a garret somewhere! Authors develop their work in different ways, depending on the genre and particular working style of the author. Non-fiction work, such as biographies or self-help books are researched thoroughly using libraries, the Internet, academic resources and even interviewing people about the subject matter.

Novelists and poets are usually guided by the richness of their own imagination and life experience. Although they may consult with editors and publishers at some stage on re writing and re working the manuscript, they are autonomous in the creative process.

Other collaborative works, such as theatre, television or radio scripts, and anthologies, may be workshopped as part of a team project. A community writer may work with Indigenous or migrant groups or people with disabilities, facilitating group projects and helping them find their 'voice'.


Each writer develops the style of working which best suits him or her. In her diverse career as award winning poet, playwright and community writer, Jan Teagle Kapetas finds the creative process can vary.

''Most writers have learned their seasonal rhythms. I know I can write between 9am and 3pm, and then 8pm to 3am. At the beginning of a piece of a work you may not want to stop at all. And then you may not write for weeks. Poetry is different. Poetry is really the muse (source of inspiration) - the voice speaks in a sense and then you explore.''


Speaking The Word

Simply put, authors need to have something to say. They also need to know their target audience, whether it's young adults or gardening enthusiasts, and have the excellent written skills to achieve this aim.

Most writers work using word processors, journals, and their highly developed written and editing skills. For a larger work, a precis (summary outline) may be mapped out to help an author shape the information into the best possible structure. Other methodologies incorporating basic elements of style, characterisation, plot structure and thematic development may also be brought into play.

Some skills, though, cannot be learned. A fiction author without imagination would be akin to an artist without a brush!

''You need to have a lively imagination or curiosity. An ordinary guy goes to a cheese factory and buys a lump of cheese. A writer forages and fossicks around the factory for other information,'' says novelist, Brigid Lowry.

To Be Or Not To Be

''Writing is a calling. It's a matter of the heart,'' says Jan Teagle Kapetas.

There are limited opportunities for fiction writers (novels, poetry and short stories) and, with the existence of three State publishing houses, only the most talented will be successful. Most publishing firms will not accept unsolicited manuscripts and the general procedure is for authors to go through a reputable agent. Self publishing may be a solution, or branching out into the more lucrative non fiction market, writing speciality books such as gardening, self help, craft or religion. The growth in new technologies like interactive videos and CD Roms may provide a niche market.

Script writers can work in a number of production areas, but due to the high levels of team input and story conferences, those wanting to write for television serials or soap operas will have to go to Sydney or Melbourne.

Opportunities for playwrights are also limited, given there are only three adult theatre companies, a young person's theatre company, and a puppet company in Western Australia. Work is also affected directly by dwindling audience numbers attending live performances.

Additional employment opportunities may exist in unlikely industries, such as companies like Alcoa, or in hospitals where writers facilitate workshops.

Don't Give Up Your Day Job!

Not everyone can be like Tim Winton and make a decent living purely from writing fiction. Australian writers currently earn an average of a few thousand dollars per annum from their primary work. Poets, alas, make even less. The upper ranges of say $80,000 are rare.

Authors need to be creative when finding other avenues of work. Teaching at universities and schools, running workshops, doing readings, getting funding grants and entering literary competitions are all possible ways to make extra income.

Money can also be made from foreign sales and the Educational Lending Rights. For example, each time Brigid's novel 'Guitar Highway Rose' is borrowed from a library, she receives 20 cents (so keep borrowing those books!).

There are no educational requirements to become an author. It is recommended, however, to undertake further study to hone your writing skills.

Curtin University offers a three-year Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Cultural Studies (Creative Writing, Literary Studies, and Professional Writing and Presentation).

Edith Cowan University offers a three-year Bachelor of Creative Industries, Communications and Culture and a Bachelor of Communications (Performance Writing and Criticism).

Murdoch University offers a three-year Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Arts.

The University of Western Australia offers a three-year Bachelor of Arts (English), and the University of Notre Dame Australia offers a three-year Bachelor of Arts (English Literature and Theatre Studies).

Prerequisites for the above courses are generally a high level of performance in TEE English or English Literature. Please contact the individual institution or refer to the Universities site below.

TAFEWA also offers short courses in Creative Writing through Challenger, Swan and West Coast Colleges. For further details, please contact the nearest College or refer to the TAFE site below.

There are many short courses offered through professional writing associations. It is recommended to join writing groups, writingWA (formerly the WA State Literature Centre) and The Australian Writers' Guild in WA. The Australian Film, Television and Radio School also conducts a number of courses for script writers in WA at the Film and Television Institute.

	TAFE Colleges
	Homepage links and contact details for all TAFE Colleges in WA.
	TAFE Handbook
	An online guide to full-time TAFE courses available throughout WA.
	Universities
	Homepage links and contact details for all Universities in WA.

writingWA (formerly the WA State Literature Centre)
Gnd Floor, Alexander Library Building, Perth Cultural Centre WA 6000 Ph: (08) 9228 9908 Email: info@writingWA.org URL: http://www.writingWA.org

Fellowship of Australian Writers WA
PO Box 312 Cottesloe WA 6911 Ph: (08) 9384 4771 Email: fawwa@iinet.net.au URL: http://www.iinet.net.au

Australian Writers' Guild (WA Branch)
PO Box 492 Leederville WA 6903 Ph: (08) 9201 1172 Email: wa@awg.com.au URL: http://www.awg.com.au

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Be careful what you say around Brigid Lowry. It could very easily end up in her next book!

As an author of three novels, Brigid is able to draw on her immediate surroundings to create amazing characters that are alive to her young readers.

''The stories are out there. You just have to be alert to them. Life is the material. As a writer you have to be an observer. At a party there are two kinds of people: the one on the dance floor and the one watching on the sidelines. I'm the one watching.''

In the days Brigid went to school there seemed to be only three rigid career options for women: nursing, secretarial, or teaching. Brigid chose teaching but at the age of 37 wanted a total change of direction.

''I always loved reading books and writing. When I wanted to change careers I asked myself, 'What do I love?' And my answer was, 'I love writing!''

A career as a writer is not for the faint hearted. It's hard getting started and the pay is usually lousy. Brigid had a lucky break though when two of her friends got paid $3,000 each to write romance fiction for the Dolly Magazine Fiction Series.

''I thought, 'if they could do it, I could do it'. Plus I needed the money. I wrote the novel 'Fizz and Max and Me'. And then I got an Arts Council Grant to write another book for teenagers, which was 'Guitar Highway Rose'. This novel was highly successful and got me established as a writer.''

Most writers have to subsidise their writing with other types of work. Brigid also teaches creative writing classes at Curtin University.

''It's very hard to make money full time and you either have to have another job, a rich partner or live off the dole. As a writer, money is made in literary fiction, popular fiction, detective novels, children's writing, television scripts, radio and theatre.''

The best part about writing fiction, though, is meeting someone who loves the books. Like receiving fan mail from teenagers in Byron Bay, or handing out her latest novel to working class teenagers at the Melbourne Writer's Festival.

Of course, nothing beats seeing your synergy of words, beautifully bound and published!

''The best thing is the thrill of opening the box from the publishing house and seeing your work in print. It is a magical moment.''

Brigid advises future writers to read, write and persevere with their dreams.

''To want to write has to be a burning passion. It's not an easy job.''