It’s something I’m wanting to try out. I’ve been working at a publishing house for over a year now, mostly working on proofreading, catalog copy and editing. I figure I can update my resume, maybe contact some other publishers or generally prowl around the job sites for freelancing, see what I can dig up. My hope is that within the next year, maybe I could start doing some freelancing work on a regular basis.
On second thought, I realize that freelancing can often be anything but regular, but I think you know what I mean. Regularly pursuing freelance work might be a better way to put it. Or, if I ever get to shift to writing full-time, using freelancing to get some supplementary income. There’s a nice dream to pursue, yeah?
So I’m asking anyone who reads this, comments or even lurks about. Any freelance writing advice? Any pointers, techniques, warnings or fun (harrowing?) stories that you’d like to share about your freelancing experience? I actually handle a lot of the freelancer accounts we use for our department, so I have a invoice-paying view of what goes on, but it’d be great to hear from you all as I start figuring out what do to next.
First step…revise my resume.
Second…figure out where to send it.
Third…start browsing all those internet sites on freelancing opportunities.
I think I can do this. I mean, I technically do this kind of stuff already, I just get a salary for it and work from a cubicle rather than home. Perspective helps.
I see that smile.
I can’t help you.. I just know you have a talent that need not be hidden, so put it out there.
Other than that, the only advice I’ve ever encountered that actually made me thing was Stephen King’s ‘On Writing’, which he himself boasts as mostly bullshit.
Hrm. You know what? You’ve got me inspired to actually proofread my own writings, if only for the, persistent, misuse, of, commas. hehehe.
A good book, I agree. I would also recommend Ray Bradbury’s “Zen in the Art of Writing.”
Ooo.. I’ll have to get that one. Thanks!
The “new” Josh @ church is a freelancer…he might have advice!
I’ve actually gotten the chance to talk with him a bit. He does some awesome work for those magazines, though it involves working on location for them, sometimes until 2am to close an issue. Of course, on the flipside, he gets this whole week off before it starts up again.