I think you have to have a plan. "Being a writer" is only a portion of a goal. What kind of writer do you want to be? How are you going to sell your work? Maybe you'll get some ideas from people here about that last question, buy you'll have to let them know the answer to the first -- or the advice you get may not apply.

A wise person told me, early in my career, to find a niche. I've always been one to want to try to do everything, but I've found that it's much easier to sell my work if I target a specific subject area or type of writing. My samples then help me to get more assignments of the same type, and I'm still able to move from "specialty" to "specialty" as opportunities present themselves.

It seems like buyers of freelance writing (in the corporate communications world, at least) want to see something very much like what they want written. In my experience, they don't always appreciate that good writing is good writing, or that a good writer can handle a wide range of material. They may have something there. At least it's their opinion that counts, so it doesn't much matter what I think. Maybe jounalism is different, and it's surely different if you plan to write on spec, rather than on assignment.

But I pass along the thought that it might make sense to find yourself a niche -- something you know, something you're good at -- and get yourself established there. Then you can spread your wings.

But as LeeAnn points out, "Freelancing is a precarious occupation at best." If you have bills to pay, keep a job that allows you to pay them while you chase your dream. Otherwise you'll fall behind financially and could end up chucking your writing career in favor of full-time gainful employment--at a job you don't really enjoy. And we wouldn't want that to happen.

Also, don't forget the value of networking. Spend time with other writers and editors; it may not directly help you sell work, but it'll keep you learning and striving and inspired -- and being part of a group of like-minded individuals can help to keep you sane.

QUOTE:

Another good book, if you were to get into freelance copywriting is The Well-
Fed Writer: Financial Self-Sufficiency as a Freelance Writer in Six Months or Less by Peter Bowerman. It's probably a good idea to check out both books. They're two of my favorites.

Best of luck to you!

Kat



I think this is an especially good book for new, or even experienced, writer to read. It's just crammed full of good information and sound advice.

While not everyone's cup of mocca, a book that really helped me was "The 30-Minute Writer" by Connie Emerson.

While I don't think a lot of how-to books on writing fiction are helpful, there are many, many very good and useful books on writing nonfiction and freelancing. Reading as many as possible is the best idea, just because you never know which one will hit you right where you write.

And freelancing can be a heck of a lot easier and more profitable if you can take good photographs. This is easier now, since digital cameras are more than good enough for most professional work. A book on the subject, along with a high quality digital camera, can work wonders for the finances.

Unless you have a supportive spouse who won't mind paying all the bills until you start getting paid, don't even think about quitting your job. The way the economy is right now, there isn't a thing out there, so don't give up the job you have.

Get as many bills (credit cards) paid up before you do quit just so you'll have less to worry about. And be sure you have at least 6 months of income saved up. After that, once you start earning enough from writing part-time to pay half of your monthly bills, you should be in good shape to make the leap.

Good luck!

Diane

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As for making 6 figures as a freelance copywriter (business writer), I think it is possible for some but you'd have to work like crazy for years first marketing yourself like crazy, and as your experience goes up, so does your hourly rate. Some charge $125 an hour, and then there's the direct mail copywriters who charge $10K for a sales letter. Ted Nicholas, one of the gurus, says one of his prodigies earns a million a year. Is it true? Who knows?

I've heard that those authors (Bly, Bowerman, etc.) make more money off their books than they do copywriting. Who doesn't want to make the huge money and live the dream life they rave about in their books? But how often does it really happen to folks who don't have the contacts, or the marketing know-how, or the experience, right off the bat? It probably takes four or five years just to really earn a decent, reliable income.

But as for the original post that started this thread, I can't help but wonder why go to school to be a freelance (magazine) writer? Especially while holding down a full-time job. Most of the successful ones I've talked to or read about don't have a degree. What they do have is determination. Read a book or two, read all the info that's available for fr.ee on the Internet, learn how to write query letters that sell (The Renegade Writer authors put 12 of their top money-making query letters together and it's fr.ee by autorepsonder at queries@renegadewriter.com), search for the right markets, research each market, and just do it.

... and that concludes my 2 cents. [:)]

Diane

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