ok so apart from writer and journalist what other writing careers are there?

[tweeni]

the questions in the title

[MarmadukeScarlet]

Well my DH is a qualified journo, but went into PR - you need to write well for press releases.

We now run one of the top 30 PR agencies in UK with offices in New York, Chicago, San Fransisco, Singapore and Australia - with Staff (home based) in many more countries.

[Gobbledigook]

Medical writing (which is still writing...obviously)

[TotalChaos]

writing appeal literature for charities.

editing others' writing.

[anotherdayyetanothernickname]

Copywriting everything from holiday brochures to small ads, corporate brochures etc.

[NoBiggy]

A friend was a freelance writer. Although she wanted to write a play eventually, to pay the bills she'd write magazine articles. The bottom fell out of that market, and she'd write reports for companies (they'd do the research, she'd write it nicely). Promotional pieces and slightly technical papers for trade magazines and journals. I think she even did a bit of CV writing for people.

[tweeni]

is there anything where the money is more reliable? freelance work could mean you were out of money for a while.

[TotalChaos]

my friend who did copywriting for the charity appeals was employed by the charity full-time for this purpose, so it was a steady salary.

[belgo]

Business writing - companies need reports and speeches written.

[fishie]

fundraiser

[belgo]

Technical writer, particularly if you are good with computers.