Katie's Writing Notes

The life of a freelance writer — whether writing and selling your own products, or writing for clients — can be a tough one.  But it can also be extremely rewarding and fun.  Here are a few advantages to being a freelance writer and entrepreneur.

THE LIFESTYLE OF A (FREELANCE) WRITER

1. As a freelance writer producing and publishing my own products, I love that I can write about any topic I choose.   This freedom to explore and write about topics of my own interests — my personal passions — keeps my mind alive and young, even as my body ages.

Writing from my passions has been one of the true joys of being a writer.  For many years, I wrote travel articles, traveling around Europe and Britain with a backpack and rail pass.  Then I grew as a writer so I could actually write about writing, which has been my primary focus ever since.  And it is still my passion.

The vast diversity of topics possible to write about always amazes me.  And as I get older and learn more, I realize how much more I have to learn about any given topic.  That’s lifelong learning at its best.

2. As a freelancer, I love being involved in a diversity of topics, tasks, projects, and goals, all at my whim and will.

Any professional writer will tell you that they are involved in a variety of projects at any given time, usually in different genres and topics.

I am often asked by civilians who haven’t seen me for a while, “How’s that book going?”

And I stare at them, trying to remember the project I was working on at the time; I give up and ask, “Which book?  I work on several at a time.”

That always amazes them, being civilians and not writers.

3. Being a writer means avoiding mind-numbing routines and boredom usually associated with lower level “real job” jobs.

At any moment, I can choose to switch topics, or projects, or writing tasks.  I can write, or do research, or do whatever I need to do at the moment.  Boredom is easily tamed.  A writer’s life means that the word “routine” is not used much, unless the writer chooses that routine.  Some routines are cool, by the way.

Of course, being a small business person, some routines can’t be avoided, but luckily because I’m working for myself, most of the routines are enjoyable and usually done once a month.

4. As a freelance writer working on my own projects, I love that I can write anywhere.  I don’t even need electricity; I can use pen and paper, especially when I need to do some deep thinking about a topic.  This advantage means that I can sit in a doctor’s waiting room and just think, record my thoughts in my ever-present notebook, and use the notes later.

It also means that I can live anywhere in the world that appeals to me, which again caters to my wanderlust and love of international travel.  For example, one day I hope to live in Southern England.

My only requirements — realistically — are that I have a quiet place to work, with electricity to power my Mac, and a fast Internet connection.  But I could also sit on the deck of a cruise ship, pen and pad in hand, and write.  I can write anywhere.

5. I will admit that I am tickled by people’s reactions when I tell them that I’m a writer: their eyes open a bit wider — in awe, in astonishment, or in pity, I’m not sure.  But being a writer carries with it a higher status than other professions, especially when you meet your readers, which has happened at the oddest times in my life.

The status is as good as being a university professor, which I also had for many years.  If I were into status and pedestal-standing, which I’m not, that would be another reason for loving to be a writer.  It’s important to some writers.

6. As a writing coach and consultant, I am able to work with other writers who are, for the most part, intelligent, reflective, creative, curious, thoughtful people.  I thrive on being around such people because they see life as an exciting adventure rather than a boring 9-to-5 existence.

On a more general level, being a freelance writer means that you are also an entrepreneur.

7. Being a freelance writer and entrepreneur means that I am my own boss, I make my own schedule, and I decide the tasks I will accomplish each day or week.

I set the long term and short term goals for my companies.  I have a well-defined and tested planning system I’ve developed over the years that works well for me, so I can accomplish my goals.

This independence also means that I sometimes have to scramble for income and may wander about aimlessly wondering which project to tackle next.  But I always get back to my path and begin writing again.  I rarely suffer writer’s block.

8. I love that I can make doctor and dentist appointments whenever I want; I have no one demanding a justification of the time lost.  And I don’t have to schedule the appointments around existing meetings or my “lunch hour.”

9. And speaking of timing, I can take lunch whenever I want, eat my lunch watching a rerun of Hogan’s Heroes or one of those reality shows on BBC America.  And I can take a nap if I feel like it, to rejuvenate my brain cells.

I can start my day whenever I want (it’s usually around 8:30 a.m.), and I can go as long as I want to, as long as the energy lasts (that’s around 6 p.m.).  I can work on weekends (I usually do); and of course, a ‘holiday’ is just another workday for me, unless I decide to take that day off.

10. Being a freelance writer/entrepreneur also means that I work out of my home — not in a corporate office or other business environment (which used to give me nightmares).  So I don’t have to watch over my shoulder when I take a break with a few computer games, or make a personal phone call, or wander in late to the desk because I had a rough night.  My time is my own, so I spend more time working than I ever would at an office, but that’s my choice as a freelance writer.