The Occupation Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Jobs, Vocations, and Careers

by Angela Ackerman, Becca Puglisi

Overview

What if there was a shortcut for helping readers get to know your characters? Would you take it?

Characters are as complex as people and revealing their inner layers without chunky blocks of pace-stopping description is a challenge. The Occupation Thesaurus can help you unlock one of the best tools in your show-don't-tell writing kit: a character's job.

Occupations are part of our everyday world, meaning they can be used to encourage readers to make associations between a type of work and the person doing it, shortening the "get to know the character" curve. Whether a person loves or hates what they do, a job can reveal many things, including their priorities, beliefs, desires, and needs. The Occupation Thesaurus will show you how a career choice can characterize, drive the plot, infuse scenes with conflict, and get readers on the character's side through the relatable pressures, responsibilities, and stakes inherent with work.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX REGARDING CAREER OPTIONS

Select a job that packs a powerful punch. Inside The Occupation Thesaurus, you'll find:

Informative profiles on popular and unusual jobs to help you write them with authority

Believable conflict scenarios for each occupation, giving you unlimited possibilities for adding tension at the story and scene level

Advice for twisting the stereotypes often associated with these professions

Instruction on how to use jobs to characterize, support story structure, reinforce theme, and more

An in-depth study on how emotional wounds and basic human needs may influence a character's choice of occupation

A brainstorming tool to organize the various aspects of your character's personality so you can come up with the best careers for them

Do more with your description and choose a profession for your character that showcases who they are, what they want, and what they believe in. With over 120 entries in a user-friendly format, The Occupation Thesaurus is an entire job fair for writers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780999296370
Publisher:	JADD Publishing
Publication date:	07/13/2020
Series:	Writers Helping Writers , #7
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	138,241
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi are bestselling authors, coaches, and international speakers. Their books have sold over half a million copies and are used by universities, novelists, screenwriters, and editors around the world.

Table of Contents

It's All in the Details 1

The Motivations behind Career Choice 3

Careers that Characterize 9

Jobs as Sources of Tension and Conflict 11

Jobs Can Support Story Structure and Character Arc 21

Vocations as Thematic Devices 26

Choosing a Career for Your Character 29

Additional Tips for Writing About Occupations 32

Final Words from the Authors 37

The Occupation Thesaurus 39

Actor 40

Air Traffic Controller 42

Animal Rescue Worker 44

Animal Trainer 46

Antiques Dealer 48

Architect 50

Auto Mechanic 52

Babysitter 54

Baker 56

Barista 58

Bartender 60

Book Conservator 62

Bouncer 64

Bounty Hunter 66

Business Tycoon 68

Carpenter 70

Cashier 72

Chef 74

Children's Entertainer 76

Chocolatier 78

Clergy Member 80

Concierge 82

Conductor 84

Coroner 86

Corrections Officer 88

Crime Scene Cleaner 90

Dancer 92

Deep Sea Diver (Commercial) 94

Dentist 96

Dietician 98

Diplomat 100

Docent 102

Dog Groomer 104

Dream Interpreter 106

Driver (Car) 108

Emergency Dispatcher 110

Emergency Medical Responder 112

Emergency Room Physician 114

Ethical Hacker 116

Farmer 118

Fashion Designer 120

Firefighter 122

Flight Attendant 124

Food Critic 126

Food Stylist 128

Fundraiser 130

Funeral Director 132

General Contractor 134

Geologist 136

Ghostwriter 138

Glassblower 140

Graphic Designer 142

Home Health Aide 144

Human Test Subject 146

Hypnotherapist 148

Interpreter 150

Inventor 152

Janitor 154

Jewelry Designer 156

Judge 158

Landscape Designer 160

Lawyer 162

Librarian 164

Lobbyist 166

Locksmith 168

Mail Carrier 170

Makeup Artist 172

Massage Therapist 174

Master Brewer 176

Mechanical Engineer 178

Midwife 180

Military Officer 182

Model 184

Nanny 186

Novelist 188

Nurse (RN) 190

Outdoor Guide 192

Paleontologist 194

Paralegal 196

Parole Officer 198

Personal Assistant to a Celebrity 200

Personal Shopper 202

Personal Trainer 204

Pest Control Technician 206

Pharmacist 208

Physical Therapist 210

Pilot 212

Podcaster 214

Police Officer 216

Politician 218

Private Detective 220

Professional Athlete 222

Professional Mourner 224

Professional Poker Player 226

Professor 228

Radio Dj 230

Rancher 232

Real Estate Agent 234

Receptionist 236

Recruiter 238

Referee 240

Reiki Master 242

Reporter 244

Robotics Engineer 246

Secret Service Agent 248

Security Guard 250

Server 252

Skydiving Instructor 254

Small Business Owner 256

Social Media Manager 258

Social Worker 260

Software Developer 262

Sommelier 264

Street Performer 266

Talent Agent 268

Tattoo Artist 270

Taxidermist 272

Teacher 274

Therapist (Mental Health) 276

Tour Guide 278

Treasure Hunter 280

Veterinarian 282

Wedding Planner 284

Yoga Instructor 286

Appendix A Occupation Speed Dating 297

Appendix B Career Assessment 300

References 304

Additional Expert Sources 305

Recommended Reading 306

Praise for These Writers Helping Writers Resources 308

One Stop for Writers 310