Full-time freelancers, can I ask you a few questions?

jasperd · Oct 15, 2010

First of all, how long did it take you to go from taking the first step to becoming a full-time writer?

What type of writing is your main source of income?

How do you pay for health insurance?

What are some of the downfalls of writing full-time?

What are some of the unexpected advantages?

Do you make more or less money now than you did in your prior full-time job?

Are you glad you did it?

Thank You!

Bushrat · Oct 17, 2010

I guess compared to "normal" people I don't really qualify here, but since I have no other income than writing and since it is everybody's personal decision where they live and how much money they "need", I'll answer this anyway

First of all, how long did it take you to go from taking the first step to becoming a full-time writer?

I was extremely lucky in that the newspaper I approach with a few article ideas liked those so much that they gave me a weekly column. Took about 6 months from my first pitch until they made the space for my column. I started pitching to magazines about a year after and got lucky on my sixth pitch, I think.

What type of writing is your main source of income?

Outdoorsy topics, travel, nature, animals and autobiographical.

How do you pay for health insurance?

It's paid for my government.

What are some of the downfalls of writing full-time?

The downfall of the weekly column is having to come up with a new topic each and every week. How many new takes and angles can you do on the same subject, year in and year out? Sometimes I send it off and cringe, waiting for a reply that this really is pretty far-fetched now. But so far, it hasn't come.

What are some of the unexpected advantages?

Of the column, having a regular income independend of queries. Working from home. Finding my own topics that I like.

Do you make more or less money now than you did in your prior full-time job?

More.

Are you glad you did it?

Yup. But the day I find somebody who'll pay me for simply reading, I'll quit.

WildScribe · Oct 17, 2010

First of all, how long did it take you to go from taking the first step to becoming a full-time writer?

About a year and a half, but I probably could have quit my day job sooner - I was making enough at the time, I was just scared.

What type of writing is your main source of income?

Magazine writing. I write on just about any topic, from ferrets to ponds to parenting to roller skates to guitar amps.

How do you pay for health insurance?

Through my husband's job.

What are some of the downfalls of writing full-time?

No boss, no co-workers, no social life unless you actively create one. That means that I spend most of my day at home alone with my three year old son. You have to be extremely focused and dedicated with no one looking over your shoulder, and you have to be able to deal with not having co-workers to stop and chat with. I'm pretty introverted, so I actually like the quiet, but even I get sort of done with the quiet now and then and need to get out.

What are some of the unexpected advantages?

I can't say it's really unexpected, but I love working for myself and being accountable to no one but myself. I also really love the freedom to spend time with my son, and the opportunity to keep him out of daycare.

Do you make more or less money now than you did in your prior full-time job?

Less at the moment, but I am super part time right now because my son is very young and very active. That means I work an hour or two max every day, and often not even that. Before he was born, I was making more.

Are you glad you did it?

If I wasn't, I wouldn't still be doing it.

Maxinquaye · Oct 18, 2010

jasperd said:
First of all, how long did it take you to go from taking the first step to becoming a full-time writer?

About five years, but I started at 17 so there were legal issues that kept me back a couple of years.

jasperd said:
What type of writing is your main source of income?

I'm unemployed at the moment, but it's usually non-fiction. I'm a journalist by trade.

jasperd said:
How do you pay for health insurance?

By tax.

jasperd said:
What are some of the downfalls of writing full-time?

None that i can see, unless you're not structered - then incomes can be really uneven.

jasperd said:
What are some of the unexpected advantages?

There you go.

CatMuse33 · Oct 18, 2010

First of all, how long did it take you to go from taking the first step to becoming a full-time writer? - It took me a while... I left my regular job as a magazine editor and got a full-time job in retail and wrote when I wasn't working retail. (Less hours than magazine editing, but less pay too). I think after about 2 years I made the jump to full-time freelance, but often worked odd jobs or went back to retail for brief stints. That's just because I live in a very expensive area of the country and, well, I like costly things.

What type of writing is your main source of income? It used to be trade magazine writing. Now I'm more diversified: copywriting for Websites, trade magazines, blogging, press releases. My "main" income source varies from month-to-month.

How do you pay for health insurance?
I'm blessed that my husband gets very good benefits in his job. He has the security and the benefits, but I have killer pay months where i made money to treat us to things we couldn't otherwise afford.

What are some of the downfalls of writing full-time? Like Wildscribe said, just staying sane w/ little human contact. I also have a toddler. Lately, since I write when my husband gets home from work -- so we don't have to use childcare and have someone else raise our daughter -- discipline is an issue. After spending all day chasing a 2-year-old, I'm tired and it takes a lot to sit down and write. On the other hand, my upstairs office is my "sanctuary" and some days I really look forward to the time that I can escape up there to create.

What are some of the unexpected advantages? Unexpected? When I get into markets where I'm reviewing products, I get some great perks in the form of things to review -- baby strollers, vacuum cleaners. I've gotten parkhopper passes for Disney twice. Getting to deduct a lot of things on taxes that help my business, but I'd probably buy anyway. (Like a new laptop every few years and books on writing.) Also, I LIKE having variable income, because sometimes I'll have a REALLY good month and then can treat myself to something nice, whereas in most day jobs, it's the same pay, week after week. Another benefit is getting to meet and work with different people each month, and getting to learn about different topics I wouldn't otherwise learn about.

Do you make more or less money now than you did in your prior full-time job? WAY more. Average of $10 to $20K more per year, working about half the hours.

Are you glad you did it? What do you think?

Thank You!

joolsstone · Oct 19, 2010

jasperd said:
First of all, how long did it take you to go from taking the first step to becoming a full-time writer?

I've only been full time for 2 months so my exp is prob less valid than the others posters here, but here's my twopenneth anyway.

What type of writing is your main source of income?

Mostly features for a daily newspaper's supplements, but I do a weekly travel blog post and bits online copywriting.

How do you pay for health insurance?

Good question. I'm in the UK so our govt takes are of us for most things, so far...

What are some of the downfalls of writing full-time?

I'd echo what the others said, social isolation is the big one (but I find things like twitter and facebook compensate a little and my last workplace was hardly sociable anyway, I'd rather feel alone without people around me than with them!)
Also lack of security and doubt, when the email/phone goes silent for even a week I start to doubt my decision. I'd add not being able to switch off sometimes and keeping erratic hours (like now). I work better late at night but this sometimes means I lose a good chunk of the next day. On the other hand I much prefer not having to do the 9-5 and getting up early.

What are some of the unexpected advantages?

See above, also I won a trip to Montreal recently through my blogging. I've never left Europe so it's a big deal for me. I'd never imagined it possible a year ago, nor would I have put the effort in to win the competition. Increased confidence in general. Work is coming through steadily so far without having to chase much, it's nice to feel needed, often in a day job you feel the exact opposite.
Also the editors I work with are fairly undemanding and rarely ask for re-writes. Much better than having to filter copy through a chain of 3 or 4 diff people who chop it about so much that the end result doesn't feel like your own work.

Do you make more or less money now than you did in your prior full-time job?
About half of my earnings of what I made in regular job so far, but early days and I saved for months beforehand to give me a decent buffer. I'm not panicking yet!

Are you glad you did it?

Absolutely. Leaving my job, getting into blogging, going freelance and becoming immersed in social media in gen are some of the best things I've done with my working life so far, and all done in the past 6 months. Many things feel much more possible now, like I'm in control of my destiny rather than drifting unhappily from one unsatisfying day job to another. I hope I don't have to go back but would like to find ways of getting out the house more and making it more sociable.

Best of luck and go for it, when you feel the time's right of course!

johnnysannie · Oct 20, 2010

jasperd said:
First of all, how long did it take you to go from taking the first step to becoming a full-time writer?
Years. Ten at least.
What type of writing is your main source of income?
Today, fiction but it took years of writing mostly non-fiction to get here
How do you pay for health insura[Ah, I am lucky to have a husband with health insurance./COLOR]nce?

What are some of the downfalls of writing full-time?
You have to be self-motivated, be able to multi-task, no boss means you have to do it all, and the hours, if you really want to be successful, suck.
What are some of the unexpected advantages?
No boss, I can control my own schedule, when I have to go away (like recently when my aunt passed away), I can just go, don't have to worry about vacation time etc.
Do you make more or less money now than you did in your prior full-time job?
It has taken a long time but I am finally making about the same but I am also happier and hope to continue to increase the income
Are you glad you did it?
Yes!
Thank You!

My answers in red. If you have specific other questions, feel free to PM me.

jasperd · Oct 24, 2010

Thank you so much for answering.

fov · Oct 30, 2010

jasperd said:
First of all, how long did it take you to go from taking the first step to becoming a full-time writer?

I'd been toying with the idea for the 10+ years I was in the workforce, and I did some freebie stuff on the side, but I wasn't officially freelancing while I was working. Once I decided to take the plunge, it took me about three months to work up the nerve to give notice at my job. I didn't start writing for money until I left my full-time job.

What type of writing is your main source of income?

Recently it's been business writing (press releases, marketing materials, etc.) and patient education.

How do you pay for health insurance?

Through my partner's job.

What are some of the downfalls of writing full-time?

Um... no one to talk to during the day?

What are some of the unexpected advantages?

It's great to make my own schedule and decide which jobs I want to take and how I want to balance my time. Also I've been offered some interesting projects that wouldn't have entered my consciousness otherwise.

Do you make more or less money now than you did in your prior full-time job?

Less, but not by too much (especially considering I work far fewer hours!) 2010 will be my first full year and I'm very pleased with the amount I've made this year.

Are you glad you did it?

Yes. Best decision ever.

RichardLeon · Dec 10, 2010

First of all, how long did it take you to go from taking the first step to becoming a full-time writer?

It happened almost immediately because I was unemployed when I started. It took a few months to build up enough contacts to give up unemployment.

What type of writing is your main source of income?

Monthly magazines and books.

How do you pay for health insurance?

I'm in the UK, so it's not an issue.

What are some of the downfalls of writing full-time?

Variable income.

You can build a good relationship with a magazine editor, and lose it immediately when they move on. There's no guarantee their successor will continue to give you work.

Late payment can be an issue.

Editors vary a lot in quality and sanity. Most are fine, some are great to work with, but I've dealt with a couple of real crazies in the 20 years I've been doing this.

What are some of the unexpected advantages?

The freedom to set my own hours isn't unexpected, but it is welcome.

Research can be fun. Effectively, I get paid to Google and write about what I find.

I can usually avoid office politics, which counts as a win.

And I'm much more productive at home than I would be in an office, which means work takes less time. I probably average around 30 hrs/week.

Do you make more or less money now than you did in your prior full-time job?

Some years more, some years less.

Are you glad you did it?

The last few years have been lean and I do wonder if I might not have done better with a proper job - not just for the money but the contacts, the learning and the opportunities. Rates have either gone down or stagnated in print.

Overall it's a win, but it's not always smooth or easy.

KathrynLang · Dec 22, 2010

First of all, how long did it take you to go from taking the first step to becoming a full-time writer?
I stepped out into paid writing in 2005 - and JUMPED into full-time freelance in 2007.

What type of writing is your main source of income?
Non-fiction work on the internet is my main source of income. I write for content companies, individual blogs, and ghost write for several individuals. I am always looking for new sources of income in the areas where I am passionate so that all of my eggs do not end up in one basket.

How do you pay for health insurance?
My husband took a job in April that covers health insurance, but I am looking at some other options so that when he leaves for a new position we will still be covered. I am budgeting my freelance writing with the idea that writing income will have to cover insurance in the near future.

What are some of the downfalls of writing full-time?

What are some of the unexpected advantages?
Writing what I love is the greatest advantage. The more I write, the more I find places to write what I want instead of just writing for a paycheck.

Do you make more or less money now than you did in your prior full-time job?
I have made more and I have made less. Today, I am on the upswing for income and the sky is clear and blue

Are you glad you did it?
Pursuing my writing passion has been the best decision I have made when it comes to my professional journey.

GradyHendrix · Jan 2, 2011

My reply

What type of writing is your main source of income?
I did a lot of different writing as a freelancer and that was the key thing I found to making money: as long as I could keep the work coming down the turnpike, I could make a living, and I did that by having a few different areas so one could be fallow while I did another. Basically I wrote in three main areas, and the work had a lot more to do with my relationships with editors than my interests:

1 - Corporate Writing: I did very little of this after the first 5 years, but I used to take tons of jobs writing instruction manuals, TV listings, TV blurbs, captioning, doing some freelance photo editing and writing/re-writing corporate reports.

2 - Asian film. I have a background in this and run an Asian film festival in NYC and have lots of contact in different Asian film industries, so I wrote a lot of film festival catalogue write-ups and was a go-to person for some magazines and newspapers when they needed Asian films or directors or actors covered.

3 - General Pop Culture criticism. I did book reviewing for the NY Post, I write about movies and books for Slate and did book reviewing for the Village Voice.

How do you pay for health insurance?
Out of pocket. It's my biggest monthly expense after paying my mortgage.

What are some of the downfalls of writing full-time?
It's easy to get in a rut and get trapped in one or two jobs working for one or two editors, and then when they run out you're left high and dry. Finding the job after the next two jobs has always been hard for me, but freelancing is like Tarzan: swinging from vine to vine and making sure the timing is right to jump to the next one. You have to think three jobs ahead to make it work, and that was my biggest difficulty.

What are some of the unexpected advantages?
Not sure, actually!

Do you make more or less money now than you did in your prior full-time job?
Much more. But my last "real" job was very low paying. About $26,000/year.

Are you glad you did it?
Absolutely. I decided to give up my day job and write freelance full time, and it took me about a year and change of doing both at the same time before I had enough contacts to jump to fulltime freelancing. Then, about 2 years ago, I decided to go from writing non-fiction to writing fiction and in those two years I've made enough money writing fiction to make that jump. I still write freelance non-fiction but that's more to maintain the relationships with my editors (the most important thing ever!) and earn some extra cash than a need to support myself.

CatMuse33 · Jan 8, 2011

Grady,
Just wanted to say, FANTASTIC advice for new writers. it is about forging relationships with editors, and always planning ahead and never putting all your eggs in that proverbial "one basket." (or even 2!)

Dawn

TrixieBelden · Jan 15, 2011

The "you have to think three jobs ahead" comment is so very, very true.

Full-time freelancers, can I ask you a few questions?

jasperd

Bushrat

reaching for the sun

WildScribe

Slave to the Wordcount

Maxinquaye

That cheeky buggerer

CatMuse33

Just hitting send

joolsstone

johnnysannie

jasperd

fov

Rattenmonster

RichardLeon

I have words. Be afraid.

KathrynLang

GradyHendrix

New kid, be gentle!

CatMuse33

Just hitting send

TrixieBelden