Summary
Roles of the public writer
In the administrative field
The public writer helps people who cannot write to write administrative letters:
- RESUME ;
- family allowance files;
- disputes between neighbours…
In the personal domain
The public writer also intervenes for the writing of personal writings, for individuals or for companies:
- he reads and answers mail;
- writes briefs or reports;
- writes books or various literary works…
Adequate writing
Depending on the medium, the writer chooses a traditional paper presentation or an electronic edition. He therefore handles modern technologies of written communication and documentation, in particular word processing, and the Internet.
Working conditions of the public writer
Adaptation
The public writer must adapt to the different requirements, in particular deadlines. He therefore performs random workdays according to the demands of his clientele. But if the writer can be confronted with short deadlines, he also undergoes slack periods: according to the National Union of Service Providers and Writing Consultants (SNPCE), 56% of public writers do not work more than 16 hours per week.
Lonely
The writer can work within a company or an association but it is quite rare. In general, he performs his duties directly from his home. He thus organizes himself as he wishes and works more or less regularly.
Discretion
It is not subject to professional secrecy, but the public writer must still respect a certain confidentiality. He cannot report the comments made by his clients, nor the various steps he takes.
How much does a public writer earn?
The public writer is in most cases paid by the hour: his income depends on the size of his clientele. But very often he does not receive more than 600 € gross monthly. This is why this profession is generally a complementary activity.
Training to become a public writer
At University
The public writer often follows a general literary course in human sciences at university:
- letters;
- philosophy ;
- languages ;
- story…
He can also follow one of the training courses relating to writing advice:
Private training
- The National Center for Distance Education (CNED) also offers a course program to become a public writer: production of all types of texts, use of new technologies, conducting interviews, etc.
- The private practice Françoise Peters provides training on the profession and advanced training in written communication. It is carried out in the form of information courses.
Qualities needed to become a public writer
Have real literary qualities
The public writer must obviously:
- know how to write;
- be good at spelling;
- know conventional phrases;
- or the polite formulas.
But the public writer must also type quickly on a computer keyboard. He has the necessary notions in the administrative and legal fields.
Demonstrate social qualities
The public writer often has to respond to requests from people in difficulty:
- illiterates;
- immigrants who cannot write French;
- people with disabilities;
- but also isolated or elderly people…
He must be patient, show understanding and discretion.
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