MAKING MONEY AND INDULGING YOUR PASSION (AT THE SAME TIME)

Not too many people get to say that they earn an income doing what they love. While it can be difficult to make a decent living as a full time writer, even Stephen King had to start somewhere! You may dream of leaving behind the grind of a 9-5 job that doesn’t manage to keep you awake, never mind inspired.

However, there is an old quote from the 1902 horror short story, The Monkey’s Paw, by W.W. Jacobs; Be careful what you wish for.  The life of a freelance writer is certainly not 9:00am till 5:00pm – probably more like 5:00am till 9:00pm!

You will be constantly working to deadlines, chasing enough work to sustain you, then chasing the money owed to you. Often, you’ll be stuck writing bland copy for clients who may be difficult to please, spending hours researching obscure topics like the difference between a spigot and a valve, and you’ll be required to write something creative and insightful about it.  Sometimes the money is pitiful. You may have to beg for a job where you are expected to write a 2,000 word article for $20 or less. Occupational hazards include  eye strain, carpal tunnel, sciatica and the gradual deterioration of a social life (other than the one you keep on Facebook).

But if you ask me if it’s worth it, I will roll my eyes and say ‘Duh!’

So if you are still convinced that you want to be a freelance or full time writer, then you are about to become part of an exclusive club, whose passionate members (of which I am one)  wouldn’t dream of doing anything else.

The following is a list of ways to open the door to your new life as a freelance writer. So click on the door, and good luck.