Creative Writer
Writes plays, short stories, poems and novels — writing driven by imagination, not format.
Overview
Creative Writing is a form of writing that goes outside the norms of professional or technical literature. In this, the writer uses his or her imagination or invention to create content. This could include plays, short stories, poems, novels etc.
Where they work
- Ad agencies
- Media and Entertainment organizations among others
Work environment
It is a desk job. Your work hours may range from 8 to 10 hours every day for 5 to 6 days a week. This may vary from company to company. Entrepreneurship: you may choose to freelance and handle multiple projects at the same time.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You are a creative person
- You enjoy creative writing
- You have good writing skills
- You are interested in human behaviour
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in any subject combination.
- 2Complete Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism or any related field
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete Bachelor's degree and follow it up with Master's in the same or related field.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
The subjects are offered by the Department of Arts or Mass Communication. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, New Delhi
- Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat
- University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra
- Farook College, Kozhikode, Kerala
- Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana
- Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- NSHM School of Media and Design, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Institute of Creative Excellence, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Garden City University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- Loyola College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Sophia College for Women, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- International Institute of Mass Media, New Delhi
Distance learning
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Trainee
- 2Creative Writer
- 3Senior Creative Writer
Expected income
₹15,000 – ₹40,000 per month based on experience
These figures are taken from NCS and are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Content Writer
Creates written material for websites, magazines, blogs, social media and more.
Screenwriter
Prepares a story script that carries the mood, emotion and setting of the story onto the screen.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream, Languages.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to creating.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Malati Mathur — A professor of English at School of Humanities, and Director of School of Foreign Languages at IGNOU, New Delhi. She is a creative writer and award-winning translator who translates from and between Tamil, Hindi and English. She has a doctorate in Australian Literature.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 95 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://bit.ly/3iEJYy0
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.