This is the mantra I often spout when I meet junior, middleweight (and occasionally senior) advertising writers. I urge them to take up a writing-linked pastime to run alongside their day job. Not only does it maintain and even improve their writing skills, but – on those crushing occasions when a painstakingly crafted campaign bites the dust – a writing hobby can genuinely save your creative sanity.
It let’s you be your own creative boss – at least for a precious hour or two a day.
And broadening your writing skill set is now more important than ever. These days a copywriter is expected to pen anything from a tweet to a tome, from a two-word headline to a 30,000-word website, so continually nurturing your versatility is crucial.
Oh, and enjoyable.
