For anyone who has set off to catch a train on a cold, dark winter morning to make the – often expensive – journey to work, the idea of getting out of bed and sipping on a coffee on the way to your desk, without having to leave the comfort of your own home, seems idyllic.
Becoming a freelance writer seems like one of the easiest options for making a living from home to everyone who has penned the odd blog, article, or short story. However, quite apart from the problems involved in managing to sell articles or other writing, the home environment can be a difficult place from which to run a business.
There are many practical advantages of working at home:
- No travel expenses to work
- A comfortable environment
- No-one checking on the hours worked
- No dress code
On the other hand there are disadvantages; and it is essential for anyone thinking of becoming a writer to take them into consideration and plan for them. It takes a huge amount of self-discipline to work from home, and a lot of determination to make a living as a writer.
Make a Schedule
Anyone working from home, especially a writer, needs to create a schedule with goals, and stick to it. It is too easy to give in to distractions when there is no boss around. It is important to set deadlines for work, and keep a note of achievements and progress.
Allot Free Time
Just as it’s possible to work too little, it’s possible to work too much. It is equally important to set aside a definite time of the day when the work stops, and the recreation or rest begins. It is very easy when work is all around to continue working late into the night. If a laptop is within earshot, it is very tempting to go and read E-mail if the alert sound is audible. Shut down computers, or turn off the sound to ensure that “free time” stays free. Everyone needs time to recharge their batteries.
Network – But Not Too Much
The lack of mixing with co-workers can lead to a desire for company, and social networking sites, forums, or blogs can be a useful way of keeping in touch with other people – it may even lead to writing tips or jobs. Set aside an hour each morning, or evening, or on a day off such as Sunday, to catch up with forum or blog activity, otherwise it can easily eat up working time and become a very destructive – and addictive – force.
Create a Workspace
It’s important to try to devote a room or a part of the room to your home business. Plan a workspace that is practical and ergonomic. Plan bookcases and shelving for files. Although most documents are held now within a computer, a lot of paperwork will accumulate and it is important to keep it filed properly so that it is accessible when required.
Be Firm With Family and Friends
It’s easy for people to think that someone who is “at home all day” is not really working at all. It has to be impressed upon family and friends that when writers are at home, they are actually working! If people are in the habit of calling “for a chat” don’t be afraid to allow the answering machine to pick up during working or writing hours. It is also helpful to invest in ‘Caller ID’ on the telephone so that important calls are never missed.
Becoming a writer is the same as starting a small business. The practical aspects of it should become clouded by the romantic ideal.
Read more about the Basics of Freelance Writing.
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