I’ve seen more than a few ads looking for “rock star freelance writers,” and every time I see one, it just rubs me the wrong way. Really.
To me, a rock star is someone who is all about image. They have a certain level of arrogance, and somewhere along the way, they lost track of their craft in favor of hype and excess. They might produce something that is in demand, but the public rarely finds out how many takes it took to produce the songs that we eventually buy.
They live fast and die young. Or they may hang on, looking very much the worse for wear, and show up on cheesy reality TV shows. We are left lamenting what might have been (in the case of someone who died too young) or wishing that they would just crawl back under the Rock of Love or whatever, and just go away.
So what’s the deal with wanting a rock star freelance writer? My suspicion is that the client is looking for someone who can appreciate their vision of what they want to accomplish with the project and work from there. A wizard of words, so to speak. Whereas a rock star is focused on themselves, a successful freelance writer needs to be focused on the client.
I am not a rock star freelance writer, and that’s OK. I don’t want to be one, anyway. What I am is someone who listens to what my clients want and works with them to make it happen. I care about the projects I work on and the clients I serve. There isn’t any room in there for me pulling attitude and being arrogant.
I would much rather be known for substance than style any day and if that means I can’t call myself a rock star freelance writer, then so be it. It doesn’t mean I can’t write stuff that rocks, though.
How would you define a rock star freelance writer? And do you want to be one?
I don’t want to be a rock star. They seem to have too many problems for all the success they seem to garner. I don’t want to be a rock star freelancer, either. I would like to become a respected, successful freelancer, who earns enough to pay the bills and maybe go out to the movies once in a while. That’s about it.
I don’t like those ads either, Jodee.
I think of someone who is either a self-described rock star writer or by someone else as a rock star writer as someone who has lots of flash and charisma but is perhaps a one-trick pony. I hate to be too stereotypical, but I think of a young male writer who’s written something that someone else called “gutsy” or “gritty” and involves lots of content that’s either gritty, dark, or something to that effect. I think Gonzo. I think of people who drink heavily and throw themselves into their work when they deem it important or sufficiently gritty but turn their noses up at more mundane, put perhaps more actually important work.
I think it takes a lot more talent to write something subtle and nuanced. I’ve worked with some talented writers in my day, and the best ones were never these so-called rock stars.
I think you might be over thinking it a little bit. I take “rock star” to be positive and bill myself as a rock star not because I’m self absorbed or because I think I will flame out quickly but because there are still quite a few potential clients who find the term “kick ass” to be offensive.
Rock star is often meant to be positive. I think the phrase “you’re a rock star” is akin to “you’re doing a great job!” but more colloquial.
Erin, I’m sure you’re a terrific writer, but I still think the description is rather obnoxious. Actually, I’d rather someone describe themselves with “kick ass” myself! When people advertise for a “rock star,” I think they are looking for someone with a fairly healthy ego–and there’s nothing wrong with that–but it does have certain connotations. And I think you can be a terrific, top-notch writer who achieves amazing things without being likened to a “rock star.”
It’s a matter of who is a good fit for a particular gig. I haven’t applied for anything where the client is looking for a “rock star” freelancer – because that’s not how I see myself. I stand by what I wrote, but if someone considers themselves a rock star freelancer and it works for them, then that’s great.
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