Journalism

What Life as a Full-Time Freelance Writer Is Really Like

Because I am a full-time freelance writer, I work from home. Before the Coronavirus forced many workers out of their offices and into remote work setups, many people thought that when I said I worked from home what I really meant was I lounged on the sofa all day in my pajamas watching old episodes of Criminal Minds. And while I do hang out with my friends from the BAU during my lunch break, I think now most people know that working from home is still hard work!

Nonetheless, many people still don’t understand what it truly means to be a full-time freelance writer. Sure, there are glamorous parts. You get to interview amazing people.  When the world isn’t in the middle of a pandemic, you get invited to events and you get to check out new venues, books, and experiences before anyone else does. Sometimes you get paid to travel. Building your brand as a writer also means having fun photoshoots and even being featured on websites and in ad campaigns.

But there’s a lot about this freelance life that’s not glamorous – at all. So, I’m here to give you the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Inspired by Mattie James’ blog post on Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Tasks for Influencers, I’m going to share what life as a full-time freelance writer is really like by covering what I do each day, each week, and each month.

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Good Girl Gone Freelance

I’m a good girl and I always have been. Just ask my parents or former teachers if you don’t believe me.

I’m an Enneagram 1 which means I like order. So, give me the rules and I’ll follow them – most of the time. (The feminist in me doesn’t always follow the rules about what a woman should and shouldn’t do or should and shouldn’t be – but that’s another post for another day.)

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How to Achieve Your BIG, HAIRY, AUDACIOUS Writing Goal

Let’s talk about your BIG, HAIRY, AUDACIOUS WRITING GOAL! 

A BIG, HAIRY, AUDACIOUS GOAL (or BHAG) is a concept developed in the book Built to Last. A BHAG is a goal that’s clear and compelling and once that requires building for the long term and creates a sense of urgency.

So what’s a big, hairy, audacious writing goal?

I think it’s that writing goal you have that’s so big it scares you. The one that’s so ambitious that you’re afraid to tell anyone about it because you think they’ll laugh at you. Or maybe when you think about the goal you laugh at yourself.

That was me less than 2 years ago. I secretly wanted to quit my teaching job to be a full-time freelance writer. I have other BIG, HAIRY, AUDACIOUS GOALS and I knew that being a full-time freelance writer would give me the flexible schedule I needed to pursue them. But I was convinced that there was NO WAY I could make enough money to pay my bills and maintain a comfortable lifestyle on freelance writing income. 

But guess what? I’ve done exactly that for over a year — in spite of cancer and in spite of a global pandemic that has rocked our economy. 

There are three things that I think helped me achieve this goal.

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How to Write a Good Personal Essay

Humans are nosy. We love to be all up in other people’s business. And while this is annoying at family gatherings when your aunt wants to know why you’re still not married, the nosy nature of humans is actually good news for you as a writer. People want to read your story! People want to read your personal essays.

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Lessons Learned from My First Year as a Full-Time Freelancer

One year ago, I did the unthinkable.

I left a job I absolutely loved to take a leap into the unknown. One year ago, I began my journey as a full-time freelance writer.

May 24, 2019 was my last day as an English teacher at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. So, today marks my one-year anniversary as a full-time writerpreneur.

Here’s what I’ve learned along the way.

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