Freelance writing resolutions

Delta40 · Jan 3, 2009

That sounds like a really good motivational idea zoomusic. Breaking things down into manageable pieces so they don't seem like a Goliath task is the way to go! You're inspiring me. I work full-time in an area totally unrelated to writing and for the last 3 years I've rationalised that it is merely a hobby. the fact is I don't want to step out of my 'safe zone'

Do others have this dilemma?

scriptor · Jan 3, 2009

zoomusic said:
I've been lurking and learning a lot on AW for several months now, and this seems as good a time as any to step forward and say 'hey!'

I made the decision sometime in mid-2008 to focus on earning my income from writing, and I've been taking stock of my progress and making goals for 2009 recently. I've taken some minor steps, such as signing up for Suite101 and publishing a couple articles there, reading a lot of threads and books about freelance writing, applying for a writing postion for a local wine blog and getting it, bookmarking sites that post daily freelance job listings...

But the biggest step by far is the one that has been the most difficult: I decided, despite these trying economic times, to drop 25% of my client list at the end of the year (I am self-employed in an area totally unrelated to writing) in order to free up time to focus on my writing. It's been interesting to see my friends' reactions! Some act like I am giving up my day job and taking a foolish leap into the unknown (although I am actually just giving up 'part' of my day job, and will still have plenty of work left to pay the bills), and others are giving me their wholehearted support, and are even pleased that I have finally taken this step towards becoming a full time writer.

All I've ever wanted to be is a writer--I've been writing and publishing fiction for years now, and I've structured my life in a way to support the habit. ...

I tell ya true there zoomusic, I felt like I was almost reading my biography or soemthing. Though I have had far more limiting sucess than you, though I pray one day to succeede. I do sincerly wish you all the greatest, most blessed sucess in your endeavors. I think that it is fantastic when someone walks out on faith, bravery and conviction of their own ideals and dreams to persue what they love. Good for you!!!! God Speed, God Bless and good luck!

scriptor · Jan 3, 2009

Delta40 said:
That sounds like a really good motivational idea zoomusic. Breaking things down into manageable pieces so they don't seem like a Goliath task is the way to go! You're inspiring me. I work full-time in an area totally unrelated to writing and for the last 3 years I've rationalised that it is merely a hobby. the fact is I don't want to step out of my 'safe zone'

Do others have this dilemma?

I would have to answer Yes to that question Deta. I am self employed after Hurricane Katrina and my place of employement went out into the Gulf. But, there is no career, no job, no employment that could come close to my love for writing. When I took the plung this year, I was met with some slack, though I have a wonderful wife that not only stands beside me but suggested that I take the plung full time.

Delta40 · Jan 3, 2009

I'm a single mum with two teenage daughters. I don't like to think of this as an obstacle in my life. It's actually good writing material, when I think about it.....

Susie · Jan 3, 2009

my writing goal is to finish my novel this year as well as get more sales in my regular writing and my greeting card writing. Much good luck, all!

AmyDoodle · Jan 4, 2009

Sorry Plaid. As you know, I'm the "Doesn't Follow Instructions" poster child and I put mine in JHS. At least I wrote them down this year--AND I've already started. KODB is setting up a new Black Dog/Bajaffe blog for us!

MisterEThoughts · Jan 4, 2009

Yup! I want to make $1,000... By the end of 2009.

JenNipps · Jan 4, 2009

MisterEThoughts said:
Yup! I want to make $1,000... By the end of 2009.

Just $1,000 flat or $1,000 a month? (Saw you say that somewhere else tonight, so thought I'd ask for clarification.)

MisterEThoughts · Jan 5, 2009

1,000$ monthly. Hey, would you and I be able to chit chat? I love your sites and would love to meet a fellow writer.

Mayntz · Jan 6, 2009

My main goal is to get my time management and efficiency under control. In the past three months, I've become a new About.com Guide (and that's WAY more work than you'd initially think) and a local columnist (first printing out this week!), and my editing work (freelance for individual authors or publishing houses) is continuing to grow, so it's a struggle most days to balance everything in addition to my other online work (50+ pieces per month). Somewhere in there I'd love to get back to work on my novels, but I'm not sure quite yet if that's going to be entirely possible -- but I hope it will be.

If anyone is looking for more resolution ideas, I wrote a piece for WritersWeekly with one for every day in January --

http://www.writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/005119_12312008.html

Enjoy!

inkkognito · Jan 6, 2009

Delta40 said:
I work full-time in an area totally unrelated to writing and for the last 3 years I've rationalised that it is merely a hobby. the fact is I don't want to step out of my 'safe zone'

Do others have this dilemma?

I don't have that dilemma in terms of my writing in general because I view it as a part-time job and it accounts for a good chunk of my income. I do have it in terms of genre tho'. I write non-fiction because it pays the bills and is easier to sell. I'd love to do fiction, but it's out of my comfort zone. Last year I decided to attack that by forcing myself to submit something that was totally uncharacteristic. I sent a children's poem to "Humpty Dumpty" magazine...waaaaay outside of my comfort zone. Amazingly, it looks like it's going to be published (they are overstocked so they hold the accepted pieces for a long, long time), and it boosted my confidence enough to start sending a couple of fiction stories around. Still haven't sold one of those, but I keep trying. Think of something way beyond your level of comfort and just do it!

Thrillride · Jan 8, 2009

MisterEThoughts said:
Yup! I want to make $1,000... By the end of 2009.

LOLOLOLOL! That just kilt me.

ritinrider · Jan 9, 2009

MisterEThoughts said:
1,000$ monthly. Hey, would you and I be able to chit chat? I love your sites and would love to meet a fellow writer.

You can join them at the JHS chat night. Ummm, Jen,Dawn, someone want to tell when and where it is? I always forget until after you've all left. Then of course there is the AW chat room, they talk writing and other stuff in there. Everyone is welcome, and if you want to discuss writing they're more than willing to share their opinions.

Freelance writing resolutions

Delta40

scriptor

scriptor

Delta40

Susie

Thanks, special friend for my avi!

AmyDoodle

I'm a Bajaffe!

MisterEThoughts

Writer

JenNipps

Have you JHS today?

MisterEThoughts

Writer

Mayntz

inkkognito

Onlyifyouwanttowillyoufin daway-Enya

Thrillride

A Suburban Farmer

ritinrider