Everything and yet nothing!
Definition
The web definition of a freelancer is one or the other of
- A person who pursues a profession without a long term commitment to any one employer
- An uncommitted independent
- A medieval mercenary
Now doesn’t that conjure up an image of a lazy lay-about gainfully unemployed frittering away precious time?
How long is long in ‘long time commitment’? Three months, a year, five years, a lifetime? Does that make one free? Yes I suppose it does. It does give you the option to finish and move on but don’t all gainfully employed ones also do so? So what’s so especially free about freelancing?
Now let’s take “uncommitted independent”. Aren’t freelancers committed to their craft? Do they have to be dependant to be so? Don’t they keep to the schedules laid down by their employers/editors? So then again how free is free?
Next a ‘medieval mercenary’, yes one can picture the lonely freelance writer armed with his pen marching on regardless, fighting to be paid! That’s one definition one could
happily go with! Walter De La Mare got it right the first time!
Hard
For all the so called ‘freedom’ entailed, a freelance writer has to work doubly hard to achieve a modicum of respect or money a ‘gainfully’ employed gets right away. Getting established as a respected writer is a daunting task. As is earning a living from it .That you eventually get there is neither here nor there. Since you are ‘independent’ you are on your own with no one to fight your battles. Many a time you don’t get paid on time. Sometimes not at all. Most act as if they are doing you a favor.
More Opportunities
But now the print medium alone does not dominate any more and the internet is alive and kicking with endless writing jobs. There are more publications and websites looking for writers than ever before. Professionalism combined with time bound deliverances and payment ethics, thanks to the computer driven net and yes the world of ‘outsourcing’ has made ‘writing’ a highly lucrative past-time especially for work-from-home freelance writers. So healthy ‘respect’ may follow too and yes needless to say, the much sought after ‘filthy lucre’ as well!
And then maybe we could really and truly be ‘free’ as in Free-lancing!
Ten easy steps to freelance writing
- Surf the net for new opportunities regularly. Print or otherwise.
- Respond to as many postings as you can.
- Send query letters on topics you think you could write on
- Choose a few editors and ask them if you could write for them/ send them what you’ve got
- Start a dialogue with them. Create a relationship
- Enter as many contests as you can. The confidence you gain is tremendous
- Become an active list member. Use it as a sounding board.
- Cultivate patience as you would your best friend
- Keep writing and keep sending! Till your masterpieces find a home.
- Never lose heart. Rejections are a writer’s stepping stones to great success!
Tips from the King:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqp7A0B7abc&feature=related
- Sreelata Menon
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