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Hi All,

In order of preference, I'd like to be:

1. Songwriter.

2. Screenwriter.

3. Author.

However, after reading the book, it seems that I should reverse the order. I think I'm an AIE, which suits Author.

AEI, which is close to AIE, suits Screenwriter, but Songwriting (which I figure merges Arranger AEI, Lyricist ASE, and Musician ASI) means that S and E should be stronger.

I guess the first response is "close enough, good enough," but I'm really lousy at S and not good at the physicality of playing an instrument, which I guess would be R. I'm hoping that A and I will compensate because they make me so inventive so that I can come up with something new. I'm such an ungrounded sort of person that I need clear objective reasoning from others.

Any thoughts? Opinions from songwriters, screenwriters, or authors would be particularly helpful but I'll listen to anyone.

Martin.

Hi Martin,

I don't think any tests or initials or whatnots can tell you what to be, even the book says so.

For me, it's easy: songs (or articles) are usually quickest to write. Scripts/plays or novels take more time, discipline and dedication.

It helps to play an instrument if you write songs, though you can also be just a lyricist and team up with musicians/arrangers/composers. (You can look at songwriting forums or FAWM or at musicians' sites for collabs.) Okseeker - that's what I'd recommend to you too! You DON'T have to be an expert guitarist to write meaningful lyrics that touches other people's hearts!!

As for earning money, hmm.. I think none of these is a quick way to earn money, unless you're extremely lucky and very dedicated. There are a lot of great books on freelance writing, articles may be a quickest way to earn some money with any of those. You can then work on other stuff 'on the side'. At least that is the idea. :) (I didn't believe it at first either, and took off time to finish my novel and work on my music, articles are quicker to finish and sell!!)