Hi Kelly! Thanks for your response.

These skill sets definitely need to blend and be collaborative. I have the advantage of studying marketing and communications alongside English Literature so I feel like I have both the business and creative mindset. I have also collaborated with technical writers, designers, engineers, and business people to produce products that better utilised a writers skill set.

In terms of hiring “real” writers I see your point in that writers need time to hone their craft outside of a traditional corporate job. Which I agree with. I myself find time to write personal essays and poetry outside of my ‘work time’. I don’t think pursuing a marketing or entrepreneurial career makes me any less of a “real writer” though. Nor should it for anyone else.

I still think there is a stigma around the phrasing “real writer”. As if you can only call yourself a writer if you are solely dedicating your life to writing creative works of art. I think writers come in many shapes and forms and have many talents that they moonlight in.

The writer in residence is an interesting notion. For me, I always have at least three or four projects on the go as well as a full time commitment.

Thanks for your thoughts!