Aspiring writers all around the world may stare in frustration at a blank page or computer screen, attempting to extract inspiration from all sorts of sources. The task of jotting one's thoughts onto a piece of paper can be mentally taxing but entirely rewarding. Career paths for writers can emerge in nearly every industry as the demand for clear communication and economical thought is nearly inexhaustible, and some writers may find that their inspiration is inherent in their job.

Hal McCoy, who has covered the Cincinnati Reds for the Dayton Daily News for 37 years, announced that this season will be his last.

When speaking about his career, McCoy emphasized to MLB reporters that writing and journalism allowed him to connect with people from all over the baseball world. "It's the most gratifying thing and it's the thing I will miss the most - so many great people - other writers, scouts, baseball officials, players, fans."

In the nearly 25,000 stories he's written, McCoy covered all-time great ballplayers like Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Dave Concepcion and Joe Morgan. The writer, himself, was honored by the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002, by being awarded with the J.G. Taylor Spink Award.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the employment of writers and editors will likely grow by 10% until 2016. Most of the growth in this field will satisfy a demand for web-based publications.