Nature of the Work Writers and editors communicate through the written word. Writers develop original fiction and nonfiction for books, magazines and trade journals, newspapers, technical reports, company newsletters, radio and television broadcasts, movies, and advertisements. Editors select and prepare material for publication or broadcasting and supervise writers. Writers first select a topic or are assigned one by an editor. Topics may be ideas, tangible objects, events, people, or organizations.
Writers gather information through personal observation, library research, and interviews.
Sometimes, they change the focus to a more interesting related topic as they learn more. They select and organize the material and put it into words that effectively convey it to the reader. Besides reporting the information they gather, they may analyze and interpret it. Writers often revise or rewrite sections, searching for the best organization of the material or just the right phrasing. Newswriters prepare news items for newspapers or news broadcasts, based on information supplied by reporters or wire services.