Comments on: Using Your Past Experience to Leverage Your Freelance Writing Career

By: Glarmo Flapsit

Glarmo Flapsit — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:01:43 +0000

“Lots of freelance writing can be done in the evening and on the weekends.”

This could have been put better. It’s a little misleading as it stands.

I’ve been a magazine editor for more than 20 years and I spent another five in there as a freelancer. Freelancing is a FULL TIME JOB, not some hobby for dabblers and the “writer’s workshop/Starbuck’s wannabe” crowd. It’s your business and if you aren’t committed to it 24/7 you will fail.

\If you decide to keep your office hours in the evenings and on the weekends, then fine. But if you think you’re going to just flounce your bathrobe-wearing self into the office with a cup of chamomile tea and spend hours daydreaming and looking out the window waiting for the muse to come visit, you have another think coming.

The first time you cause a problem for an editor because you have developed a track record of needing deadline extensions or you have problems sourcing art or anything else, you will be out on your “talented” butt so fast your eyeballs will smoke from just watching it happen. “Talented” is a dime a dozen. There it is. Deal with it.

Editors want to work with professionals and not hobbyists and wannabes.

By: The Freelance Writer's Blog

The Freelance Writer's Blog — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:27:05 +0000

Marijke:

What an inspiring post — and a pretty, unusual name. Of what origin is it?

I’ve been telling freelancers for years that you don’t have to be a writer to be a “freelance writer.” Taking existing skills you do have and targeting writing niches that need someone who knows what the heck they’re talking about to write content is EXACTLY how to successfully segue way into freelance writing — pretty painlessly.

And, highly specialty niches like medicine, legal and finance are much easier to break into b/c publishers look for the “voice of experience” behind the words.

If you are a professional in the 9-5 world and can write reasonably well, you can build a successful career as a freelance writer — as you have proven.

Sincerely,
Yuwanda

By: Adam

Adam — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:41:57 +0000

This ties back to the post a week or so ago about knowing your Niche market. Good tie in.

By: 05/23/2008 Writing Jobs and Links | PoeWar.com Writer's Resource Center

05/23/2008 Writing Jobs and Links | PoeWar.com Writer's Resource Center — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:51:37 +0000

[...] Using Your Past Experience to Leverage Your Freelance Writing Career [...]

By: Ann G.

Ann G. — Fri, 23 May 2008 11:47:31 +0000

During high school I processed mortgage loans for an area bank. After, I worked for years as a travel agent at a local firm. Those are my two strong points for writing and usually if I apply for a writing job in those fields, I get them.

By: Jenny B

Jenny B — Fri, 23 May 2008 01:18:08 +0000

I also have my day job, while I do part time freelance writing. I have to agree that experience either in a profession or in life provide me with writing material.

By: Christine Whitmarsh

Christine Whitmarsh — Thu, 22 May 2008 22:32:24 +0000

I also made the transition from RN to writer. I started freelancing in 2001 and then founded my writing firm in 2003. I enjoy my career very much. Glad to hear there are others out there with similar life journeys. Do you get the “why would you quit nursing for writing?” bit a lot? Oy!

Best Wishes,
Christine

By: gina

gina — Thu, 22 May 2008 22:26:37 +0000

Thanks for writing this. I’m a full time healthcare administrator and I love to write but it sure would be scary to think about giving up the day job. I’ve started looking at part time freelance jobs where I can use my work experience in my writing so when I read your blog today it made me realize I may be on the right path with that.

By: Mary Jo

Mary Jo — Thu, 22 May 2008 22:17:36 +0000

While I’m still keeping my “day job” I use my expertise and experience as a Flight Attendant to good use as a travel blogger.

Write what you know and love!

By: Erica

Erica — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:51:21 +0000

I am in almost exactly the same situation. I’m an occupational therapist and have just started medical writing on the side. I am getting more and more work and getting more and more confident because I feel I can really sell my medical expertise. Thanks for sharing your story, it tells me that there is hope!