Foundations for a Successful Freelance Career
Laying the Groundwork to Work as a Freelance Writer
Aug 9, 2008 Inka Piegsa-Quischotte
Before embarking on the highly creative and rewarding occupation as a freelance writer, a lot of preparation and soul-searching needs to be carried out. Determine why you want to be a writer. Do you feel that you have something to say? Do you wish to entertain? Do you want to become rich and famous or do you want to write just as a hobby, maybe some sort of r&r from an otherwise boring day-job, earning you a few bucks in the process?
Whatever your reason is, make sure the urge is strong enough to launch yourself into a long and arduous battle. Do not entertain notions of instant fame and riches. The case of an author who locks himself in for three months and emerges with a masterpiece under his arm, catapulting him or her straight to the best seller list, is all but a brilliant piece of fiction itself. That's not to say it never happens, but very, very rarely.
For those who are not outright geniuses, a writing career can still be very rewarding, provided you tackle it right. Do your homework. Be aware, that only a small part of writing consists of fiction. Articles, features, how-to-do pieces, travel journals, saving tips, recipes, greeting card copy, the possibilities are endless and many of them can pay very well indeed.
Jot down which areas of life interest you most, where do you have expertise in, what are your hobbies, are there particular situations in your life (birth, bereavement, crimes) you would like to write about? Then get into the internet and peruse the innumerable sites which offer opportunities. Start blogging on blog sites to get a feel for what others are writing about and to practise and hone your skills. The better prepared you are before you actually submit your own first piece, the more chance of acceptance you have.
Blogging also builds a resume to show to agents or publishers when it comes to get your fiction or articles into print. If you can show a record of many page views, agents will see that you have what it takes to attract readers, i.e. be able to produce a book that sells and, in the end, that's all that counts.
Never be arrogant and look down at non fiction writers. Every sinlge piece of creativity is valuable and you may be surprised to find out where your strengths lie, just by trying to write every possible form. You will equally be surprised by the cornucopia of ideas that will suddenly flood your mind and how much easier it gets to write well the more you practise.
Always have a notebook and pen at your fingertips. Ideas have a tendency to occur in the most unlikely places and they will be forgotten with equal speed if you don't write them down immediately.
Rule #1: Write every day. Bar illness, no excuses are permitted. Only consistency and perseverance will bring you closer to your goal. The discipline required serves as a test to find out if you are really a writer or if writing is an enjoyable hobby and nothing more.
Rule#2: Psyche yourself up to deal with rejection. If you can't take it and can't cope with it, don't start on a writing career. Rejections are part and parcel of a writer's life, consider them a challenge, an incentive rather than a defeat.
Rule#3: (if you are into fiction) Enter as many competitions as possible and choose those which offer a short assessment of the submitted piece. If you win or make runner up, fantastic, if not, at least you will have an idea where you went wrong.
All clear in your mind now? Then go ahead, let the ideas flow, enjoy the ride and all of a sudden, you will arrive where you want to be.
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