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

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Ahana Bhaduri

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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] : 33 answered questions

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● Top Answer By Vinima Bhola on 21 Jun 25

Ans. There were 60 spots available for Techno India University's three-year LLB programme in Kolkata, according to the information currently available. It has not yet been formally announced how many students were admitted in the 2024 batch, specifically for the three-year LLB programme. The number of eligible applicants and other factors may affect actual admissions. Admission in LLB programme Step Details Eligibility Graduation in any discipline (60% sometimes required; check latest notice) Application Online via official website Entrance Exam TNJEE Selection Based on entrance exam performance Counselling Document verification and fee payment Duration 3 years, full-timeRead more
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Ques. How can I fill form online in cu for BA as undergraduate?

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Ans. To fill out the online application form for a BA (Bachelor of Arts) undergraduate program at Chandigarh University (CU), follow these steps: Step Action 1 Visit cucet. cuchd.in 2 Register and create a profile 3 Pay 1,000 registration fee 4 Fill the application form and select BA 5 Upload the required documents 6 Submit application 7 Appear for CUCET (if required) 8 Check the result and follow the next steps If you are applying for the online BA program (not the regular campus BA), you can apply directly at and follow a similar process without the entrance test.Read more
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Ques. Can an art student study BA in nutrition and dietetics?

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Ans. As an Arts student, you’ll have to first pursue a certificate program in nutrition or dietetics. These courses are anywhere between 6 months to 2 years long. The minimum eligibility requirement to get admission into these courses is that you clear your 10+2 from a recognized board. After completing a diploma course, you’ll be eligible to pursue both a BSc. and an MSc. in Nutrition and Dietetics.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?

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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. How was your SCMHRD BA interview experience?

● Top Answer By Bharath Harish on 18 May 23

Ans. My interview process started with registration and submission of the SNAP C form, followed by the written ability test (WAT). The technical WAT had questions related to probability, statistics, histogram, coefficient correlation ratio, and pseudo code. The WAT section had two topics, one related to 'business acumen dependent on data analytics,' and the other involving the creation of a story by connecting two given images. After the WAT section, the interview process moved on to group discussion (GD) and group exercise (GE). The GD topic was whether technology would replace teachers in the future, and the GE task involved forming a political party with given Bollywood stars. The personal interview (PI) consisted of questions related to my academic and professional background, technical skills in Java programming and SQL queries, conflict management skills, and problem-solving abilities. The interviewers also presented a hypothetical scenario where I had to suggest arguments to the CEO for hiring a Business Analyst despite the cost-cutting measures. Additionally, I was asked to draw a graph that compares revenue and vs financial success.Read more
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Ques. I have 84% in the 12th exam. Can I get admission in MSU Baroda for a BA honors?

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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. What are average placements of BHU in LLB?

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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. How do I prepare for the BHU (BA) honors entrance exam?

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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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