Freelance, the end of bosses and supervisors, the start of freedom and big bucks!

Well, maybe, sometimes, could be, I guess. I might mention though that before you choose the wallpaper for the mansion, or relax with Pina Coladas by the new pool; there are a few things you ought to know about freelancing.

There are perks. You can set your own schedule, you can stay close to your family and be available to them, you can create your own work environment, you no longer have to battle morning traffic, you save a bundle on wardrobe (is that really a good thing?), you only answer to yourself, and yes it can be fun! 

On the downside, you have no company benefits, no sick days and no paid vacation, which isn’t so bad considering writers never really take time off, can’t truly afford to be sick and don’t take vacations. They plan travel articles instead.

Freelancing is a business in which surprisingly, actual writing is a very small part.  Most of the time is spent doing fun things like seeking markets, networking, researching, record keeping, invoicing and glancing at the clock to wonder why you were only given a measly 24 hours in a day in which to accomplish your goals. 

It takes time and effort to attract clients, most of whom seem to think that they can either do this themselves or give it to one of their employees to do for far less money than you are asking.  Because of course, you will be asking to be paid!

As a freelancer you are in charge of every aspect of your work. You are offering a valuable service and must charge for your words.  You must negotiate contracts and fees yourself.  That is probably the most difficult part of being a freelance writer; at least it is for me.  In doing something I love to do, what is my time, my effort, my work worth?  Every situation if different, yet at the end of the month the bills have to be paid, and the work I am doing is what will pay those bills.

There are some qualities a freelance writer should nurture in order to be successful.  You will notice that modest and humble are not among them.  We already come with plenty of that.  What you really need is persistence, self-confidence and curiosity. Good listening skills and communication savvy are possibly at the top of the list, because there is so much more than words in what a person says.

You need to be creative, to see opportunities, options and possibilities… but you are romance writers so that one is effortless!  Since you are creative, it ought to be fairly easy to deflect the people who would distract you from your writing. Practice saying, I am working, in front of the mirror till it sounds nice but firm.  Learn to let the answering machine screen your calls.

Organization is vital.  You must know yourself and your workload enough to be able to set and keep a deadline, recognize the ones you can keep and the ones that will be a struggle for you. Negotiate accordingly.  If you can’t meet deadlines, no matter the reason, expect that you won’t be asked again.  There are no excuses in freelancing, only deadlines met or not met.  I could refer you to my book on organization but I think I lost it.J

Above all be curious.  Ask open-ended questions about everything, even about the stuff you think you already know.  Be willing to be a learner.

To support your freelancing you will need efficient tools:.

A good PC, possibly a laptop if you are into travel pieces or if writing on the fly is your thing.  I have one. I love it, but I don’t always use it when I travel.  After a few hours of standing around with it at the end of my arm, waiting for planes, ferries or shuttles, I find it gets heavier than it looks, and the well-designed case at an affordable price has not yet reached the market.

Definitely acquire some kind of hand held tape recorder, most interviewees will let you use them, but you must ask first.  I find them very handy for taking voice notes whenever and wherever inspiration strikes.  Mine is an older model mini tape, but the new generation is electronic, very much smaller and far more reliable.

I have a small digital camera which I carry almost everywhere with me, it is light, lets me take as many pictures I as want and I can send them off with my e-mails. 

As a freelance writer you will undoubtedly have to interview people. Articles on almost any subject matter come to life when they include a character or two.  Some of these people, if not most, will have been interviewed many times before.  Be prepared with a few questions, especially if you want to lead the interview, but if you are inexperienced, don’t panic. People love to talk about themselves and their passions, giving you lots of material for your piece.  The problem may be more about ending the interview than the interviewing.  I like to give interviewees a time frame at the start and I always wear a watch.

I have loved doing people profiles, and in so doing I have learned a great deal about character.  This has really improved the characterization work for my novel.  Instead of seeing archetypes, I have discovered individuals, learned to listen and take cues from my interviewees.   In other words, I learned to give my characters space!

The Internet is possibly the freelancer’s best friend.  On it we can find freelance assignments, contact possible employers, and also do research, which still must be carefully checked and double-checked, mostly without having to leave the desk.  Sites such as ipl.org, Internet public library, are invaluable as they offer a huge field for research, among which, newspapers from all over the world.  There is enough reference material there to keep you busy and researching to your heart’s content.

If you are interested in freelancing here are a few titles you may find interesting:

Freelance Writing Business by Christine Adamec

The Write Track by Betty Jane Wylie

Interviewing Techniques for Writers & Researchers by Susan Dunne

The Craft of Writing Articles by Gordon Wells