My current resume is driven entirely at getting me a higher position at the library that I work at. Everything about it is focused on my experience within the library. I'm not entirely sure how I could swing that to land me a job as a writer, but I'm sure I can find a way. I do know that all three versions of thisresume have landed me higher positions in the library system (one of which was dropped because the former employee returned within their time limit to change their mind about leaving).
The best advice I can give about writing your personal essay/doing a grad school application is this: get it done. Don't horse around, don't put it off. Focus. Get it done. Because if youcan pull it off you can do anything. Also, if you're going to write the essay be yourself, only a better you. Show your creative, thoughtful, insightful beautiful intelligent side. Show them why you want to be an author/publisher/editor etc. Show them what you can do and why you fit their particular program.