First Step to Becoming a Freelance Writer
Are you interested in becoming a freelance writer? There is a very good chance that you are reading this blog because your answer is yes. Before you decide that this is the career for you, it is important to ask yourself the right questions and to be aware of the steps that you will have to take. The first step in becoming a freelance writer is very important. Everybody has a different opinion on the steps you should take to become a freelance writer. I feel that step number one is determining why you want to follow this career path.
If you don’t know why you want to become a freelance writer you should never move forward. There are many reasons to join the industry. You may want to do so because you love writing. Or maybe you want to become a freelance writer because you are searching for a job that offers more freedom. You don’t have to defend your reason for wanting to become a freelance writer. You just need to have a solid reason for moving in this direction.
I strongly believe that everything else will fall into place once you take the first step. I decided to become a freelance writer because I was tired of working for other people, and I always had a great interest in this field. This was enough to propel me into the industry, and soon enough it was obvious that I made the right choice.
Every aspiring freelance writer has a different reason for wanting to take on this career path. As long as you know what is driving you to become a freelance writer you should have a solid surface to stand on, as well as a great platform for moving forward.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:09 am
I agree wholeheartedly. I was recently reading an educational resource for freelance writers and it noted three fundamentals in taking this career path: desire, dedication and discipline.
You have to know why the desire is there to begin with - and it better be there - because I couldn’t imagine being able to put in the necessary hard work if you dislike writing.
For me, my desire stems from three main areas:
1) Of most importance, my passion for writing. There’s honestly no ‘job’ that fulfills me more. If I can make a living doing something I love, that’s one of the most satisfying feelings in the world. My parents tell me I used to make storybooks when I was only 6 or 7 with pictures that I had drawn and colored. For a short period I even produced a family newspaper that I distributed within my household on a monthly basis. These aren’t just silly memories to me, but proof that this creative field is where my heart always belonged.
2) Freedom from the humdrum of the 9-5 office gig. I’ve dealt with horrible employers. Horrible working conditions. Being confined in an office with no windows for hours on end. Insatiable boredom. The inability to control what I earned or my own career advancement. And was I even the least bit stimulated? No.
3) Continuing education and a goal-oriented mindset. This is a field that really requires you to constantly be advancing your own goals and continue educating yourself along the way if you want to maintain or top your success. These challenges really help me thrive as an individual because I feel stimulated and rewarded. And this is where my best work is put forth, which I am most proud of.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Janine - Thanks for adding your well-thought-out comment. I think your three points hit home for a lot of new freelance writers!
June 18th, 2009 at 12:23 am
I think Janine hit some of the most important points, if you don’t like writing than this field is definitely not for you. I think freelance writers tend to be very independent and of course very creative. Being able to have the freedom to do what I love and make money as well is the dream for me.