Monday, November 30, 2009

Top 5 Myths on Freelance Writing


There are so many people who would like to become freelance writers and work from home. They dream of money and fame. They dream of two hour workdays and vacations whenever they feel like it. They dream of cocktail parties with the best in the publishing industry. Most of all, they dream of the easy work it will be.

*Smack*

That was reality smacking you in the face or maybe it was a high five...to your face. Believe what you will.

Top 5 Myths on Freelance Writing:

1. Freelance writing is glamorous. Yes, sitting here in my home office with kids toys near me is soooooooo glamorous. Puuulease. Freelance writing is comfortable, convenient, fun, anything but glamorous. Last week I went to the hospital and the nurse thought it was so cool that I was a full-time freelance writer. Does that count? Hmmm...I don't think so. It's bad enough I have to actually say "full-time" freelance writer so those I am speaking to understand this isn't just a little hobby of mine.

2. Freelance writing is a respectable career. I know that. Every writer knows that. But why is it when I go to a family reunion my relatives ask me if I am "still writing". Isn't that just saying, "Hey! Do you have a real job yet?"? It's respectable to us at least. :)

3. Freelance writing will make you rich and famous. uh-uh. When does this happen? Am I secretly rich and famous? I make a decent living and am grateful to be able to do what I love to do, but I am far from rich and famous. Most freelance writers are.

4. Freelance writers can vacation whenever they want. What? Then why haven't I taken a vacation since...crap. I can't remember the last time...what's a vacation again? Since freelance writers are self-employed paid vacations, sick days, health insurance, and all those other goodies from being an employee go out the window. So a freelance writer has to save up for their own vacation and plan it at least 10 years in advance. OK, so that's an exaggeration but oh well.

5. Freelance writing is easy. Oh yeah. This is my favorite. If you think freelance writing is easy...do it yourself! It takes discipline, hard work, long hours, and perseverance. You have to be the salesman, the accountant, the marketing team, the tax expert, the secretary, AND the talent. It's so easy. *rolls eyes*
Posted by at 2:24 PM
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8 comments:

  1. Great post, I love the ... hey, wait ... Freelancing isn't going to make me rich and famous? Well, just forget it then... (grin)
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  2. Thanks, Deb. Glad you enjoyed it!
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  3. I get a lot of flack from my brother-in-law. He also always asks the same thing, "Are you still writing?" I mentioned once I would like to eventually go back to school for my master's and he asked what I would do with it. I said I would probably keep writing. It would just be a nice accomplishment to have it. His response was ... "Or you could teach?" (*Sigh!*)
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  4. *sigh* is right, LuAnn! Why is it that people always ask that? Better yet, what makes them think it is OK to ask that? Such a strange question. It doesn't really say what we know it means. It only implies. WE know damnit!
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  5. Yes, freelance writing is a real, professional job. Being self-employed seems never to be taken seriously by people who not self-employed. Once, I told a friend of mine that I had a board meeting to attend, and her eyes widened. She expressed that she thought I was just a "stay-at-home mom with a hobby". I tried not to laugh too hard. I informed her that I do indeed have a REAL job.
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  6. Sheryl,

    I just laughed at that! Oh man. A real meeting? No way!

    :) Thanks for sharing.
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  7. Amen! I think I'll forward this to all of my doubting friends, who expected me to be earning money the minute I started, and then to give up when I wasn't. Proved them wrong. It's taken awhile, but I'm finally close to where I want to be with my freelancing career, and I wouldn't have it any other way!
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  8. Great post. I think great minds think alike. A recent post of mine is 4 Myths of the Writer's Recession: http://caroltice.com/blog/31

    Carol Tice
    http://www.caroltice.com
    http://Twitter.com/TiceWrites
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