- Joined
- Feb 16, 2008
- Messages
- 2,098
- Reaction score
- 151
- Location
- Duloc, the Perfect Place
- Website
- www.barbnefer.com
When I first started freelancing in the '80s, I self-generated virtually all of my topics. Now that I'm in V2.0 of my career, I've managed to link up with several regional publications. I'm still self-generating ideas and sending out queries, but I'm also getting more and more assignments. Most are on topics that appeal to me, but some are ho-hum (although I have no problem doing them for the $$). It's nice to have the semi-security of some regular work.
That made me think...how do other freelancers feel about regular assigned work vs. self-generated topics? Do you have a strong preference for one over the other? Is the guaranteed money worth working on a topic in which you might have no interest? Or would you rather focus on querying topics that are closer to your heart, even tho' acceptance is a question mark?
Myself, I think I can adapt to most assigned topics because I was a news stringer for several years once upon a time. After you've covered enough village board and school board meetings, NOTHING else can ever be quite as boring.
That made me think...how do other freelancers feel about regular assigned work vs. self-generated topics? Do you have a strong preference for one over the other? Is the guaranteed money worth working on a topic in which you might have no interest? Or would you rather focus on querying topics that are closer to your heart, even tho' acceptance is a question mark?
Myself, I think I can adapt to most assigned topics because I was a news stringer for several years once upon a time. After you've covered enough village board and school board meetings, NOTHING else can ever be quite as boring.