Comments on Dream Occupation: Freelance Writer

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InnKD

It is more accurate to say I am driven:-)
I sm trying to make my way in a precarious business

posted by beachbelle on November 12, 2004 at 12:15 PM | link to this | reply

Beachbelle...

sounds like you're addicted.

posted by theinnkeepersdaughter on November 12, 2004 at 11:54 AM | link to this | reply

There's nothing wrong with dreaming.

posted by word.smith on November 11, 2004 at 1:44 PM | link to this | reply

word.smith

I still like to imaagine I will live the dream version of this lifestyle

posted by beachbelle on November 11, 2004 at 1:07 PM | link to this | reply

sorry..man

posted by beachbelle on November 11, 2004 at 12:41 PM | link to this | reply

Hey Wiley. Thanks I will do that just after I file my article.

I don't think the good many who commissioned my words would accept that as an excuse for late filing but then again he sent a poem to remind me of the deadline so maybe he would.

posted by beachbelle on November 11, 2004 at 12:40 PM | link to this | reply

BB

You have given me an inside look at what it is really like being a freelance writer. My view is romanticized, but then it is a dream. It'll take a whole lotta steps to get where you are.  In the meantime, I am trying to keep the aim in view.

posted by word.smith on November 11, 2004 at 11:22 AM | link to this | reply

Beachbelle

You OWE it to yourself to just stop, for 30 minutes, go and sit out on that deck alone and breath in a LIFE of peace. The writing will still be there when you go back to your desk, but you will have collected on  a debt to yourself of yourself

posted by WileyJohn on November 11, 2004 at 11:02 AM | link to this | reply

Beachbelle, it is nice

that you are honest about how difficult it is to be a freelance writer.  What have I done to move towards  my goal? Hmmm.  I picked an age that corresponds with the probability of my skills being up to par with the demands, and my finances being more than adequate. It is age 35. I am now 28.  This gives me time to make plans, money, and contacts.  Good plan?  Who knows, things never go as planned.  I hope things get better for you Beachy

posted by Flumpystalls3000 on November 11, 2004 at 6:33 AM | link to this | reply

Horus, thanks for the offer. It is most unexpected.

It is not so easy to delegate the information in my brain or written illegibly in my notebook. Can you sense the stress I am under right now?

posted by beachbelle on November 11, 2004 at 5:27 AM | link to this | reply

beachbelle

your post is so alive and interesting (this is no mystery) that your personality comes out as that of someone that I would like to work with/for. If you ever think that I could give you a hand, just let me know.

posted by Lucifero on November 11, 2004 at 5:05 AM | link to this | reply

I can sell myself but then I actually have to do the hard graft

posted by beachbelle on November 11, 2004 at 3:12 AM | link to this | reply

I find the selling to be the most difficult. I can market others, but not myself.

posted by Ca88andra on November 11, 2004 at 3:11 AM | link to this | reply

Cass. Glad you are exploring the blogosphere.It is positive that I can sit

here and sell words and that i am quite busy after only a few months but freelancing always was and will always be hard work on a day to day basis. You have to sell and produce and sell and produce.

posted by beachbelle on November 11, 2004 at 3:09 AM | link to this | reply

beachbelle, I suppose I'm always looking for positives nowadays! BTW - thank you for the ideas on blogging websites, I've signed up at another one and I'm still researching.

posted by Ca88andra on November 11, 2004 at 3:01 AM | link to this | reply

Ca88. I am not saying it's bad.......there are worse things to be doing

but I am saying how it is .... really. I just thought it went without saying that I don't have sit in an office etc and that I can live in a nice place.

posted by beachbelle on November 11, 2004 at 2:58 AM | link to this | reply

beachbelle, there must be some positives!

posted by Ca88andra on November 11, 2004 at 2:49 AM | link to this | reply

As long as you don't start metamorphing your real mountains. Keep them separate.

posted by _dave_says_ack_ on November 11, 2004 at 1:12 AM | link to this | reply

Dave,

I think I need a step ladder to get up the mountain of work.

posted by beachbelle on November 11, 2004 at 12:58 AM | link to this | reply

Nice little snapshot Beachie. We think the grass is greener, but we can't see over the fence. Thanks for providing the step-ladder.

posted by _dave_says_ack_ on November 11, 2004 at 12:47 AM | link to this | reply

Thanks Alf

posted by beachbelle on November 10, 2004 at 5:28 PM | link to this | reply

Jeff, we all go through these phases.

Yes the $$ is a factor. I have built-in a small cushion for now and if I don't make enough will have to think again.

posted by beachbelle on November 10, 2004 at 5:27 PM | link to this | reply

I just gave up freelancing full time

and went back to my "real" job. Going to try again though, when I've saved some $

posted by jollyjeff on November 10, 2004 at 5:04 PM | link to this | reply

Good insight BB

posted by A_Norseman on November 10, 2004 at 4:55 PM | link to this | reply

Hollee

Perhaps not brave but a glutton for punishment. There are more opportunities in the more difficult areas.

You are fortunate to have such versatilty and clever that you employ it

posted by beachbelle on November 10, 2004 at 3:01 PM | link to this | reply

beach - yuppers--this life can really suck the big one at times--and

the small newspapers - hahahahahahahaha - couldn't drag me back to edit those for all the tea in Timbuktu--which is about what I was paid. The best thing about the newspapers was the local notoriety and it looks good on my resume. You know that though.

You are writing about some of the toughest topics also. Very brave, very smart woman you.

BTW - I did get to teach at the local high schools-- a class on newspaper publishing and reporting. It was fun. For now the greeting cards are keeping me extremely busy as well as the book editing--but I may spread out more once I move and can quit hearing, "Are you still on the computer?"

Excellent post - and a book on freelance writing is surely in your future?

posted by Hollee on November 10, 2004 at 2:46 PM | link to this | reply

CL. If I can put a few people off it might save them years of penury

.... a dream wrecker that's me.

posted by beachbelle on November 10, 2004 at 2:34 PM | link to this | reply

okay, now I'm pretty sure I don't want to be a freelance writer -- thanks for that.  Sounds like you've got your hands full, Beachy.  And still you manage to dip your toe in the water of blogging supremacy.

Very interesting post, Lady.  eye opening.

posted by CunningLinguist on November 10, 2004 at 2:29 PM | link to this | reply

Klara Roberts. i have a two year old who won't be ignored.

but completing lunch is rare.

posted by beachbelle on November 10, 2004 at 2:25 PM | link to this | reply

Brimstone, Me relax, unlikely. I think you need to decide....

which topics most interest you and target that market. Alternatively you should see k to get experience working for or at a publication. From small starts....these things grow.

posted by beachbelle on November 10, 2004 at 2:23 PM | link to this | reply

MerryAnne

You can do it but you need to get the kids watched for a day or two every week.
Also the areas I work in are particularly demanding but I am told there are easier ways - perhaps I should look in to them.

posted by beachbelle on November 10, 2004 at 2:21 PM | link to this | reply

Symphony

It has always helped me that I knew what direction I wanted to take. Thank you.

posted by beachbelle on November 10, 2004 at 2:19 PM | link to this | reply

John McNab and Celeste

I have often thought of starting a paper and one which trains young people and aspiring writers. There is still time. I am actuallly making such a proposal to a local school to teach them how to create their own newspaper.
Celeste, I have decided not so much to lay it out in easy steps but to write about what it's like and then readers can start to think of how it applies to them. I actually wrote a bit of a "how to" in my So You Want To Be A Writer blog particulalry at the beginning.

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate them

posted by beachbelle on November 10, 2004 at 2:18 PM | link to this | reply

beachbelle

Celeste 632 has a good idea, but instead of posting it on Blogit, where your ideas can be stolen, compile it into a book - -How to Become a Freelance.

Now if you had the money, instead of sitting outside the editor's door, you could be the editor and owner......Mmmm sounds like more hard work.

posted by johnmacnab on November 10, 2004 at 1:26 PM | link to this | reply

thank you so much for sharing.......

it sounds like very much like hard work, but it must be a nice feeling knowing what you want from life and what your goals that you are going for...........I admire you.........you are an inspiration to get anybody motivated.

take care......good post

posted by _Symphony_ on November 10, 2004 at 1:22 PM | link to this | reply

another great post Beach,

I was thinking about being a freelance writer so I could work from home and be around for the kids, but it sounds like I won't be there even if I'm around. I'll have to think on it. Thanks.

posted by MerryAnne on November 10, 2004 at 12:57 PM | link to this | reply

My hats off to you

I admit, I would love to write for my living. I am just perplexed at what all I need to do to get my work out there - not lazy, just confused. It seems that most places out there want published work histories and such.

Oh, well...mayhap when the kids are out of the house. I'll have more time to check in on it more!!!

Very informative post. Now RELAX!!!

posted by bwFrampton on November 10, 2004 at 12:46 PM | link to this | reply

I like this post.

I think it would be really helpful to writers here if you occasionally give word pictures of your life starting up a freelance writing business(like this post).  Not only is it interesting and entertaining, but there is a kind of teaching by example and the drama of your real life which is probably the most effective way to teach on Blogit( also, the posts might be usefully recycled in your teaching next year).

Again, thanks for posting this!

posted by Celeste632 on November 10, 2004 at 12:34 PM | link to this | reply

We're allowed a domestic schedule and lunch???

This is precarious???? Again news!!!! LOL You can't be at all risk aversive or sensitive to what others think of you in order to freelance. Great post.

posted by KlaraRoberts on November 10, 2004 at 12:33 PM | link to this | reply