Comments on: When is the Right Time to Become a Freelance Writer?

By: Shannon Rist

Shannon Rist — Thu, 28 May 2009 07:14:43 +0000

This was an interesting article. It was the instability of my corporate job that landed me in the position to pursue writing full time. I too was a person who thought working for someone meant security. I found out this was not the case when the economy crashed and I was laid off.

I live in Oregon, which has the 3rd worst job market in the country, so I’ve had to be creative. I have about 3 months of unemployment, so here I am going full-steam into writing.

The funny thing is, I have a degree in English Literature and always wanted to be a writer. Yet when I graduated 13 years ago, having an English degree meant either teaching or being a technical writer. I had no idea that the growth of the internet meant, here in the new millennium, numerous writing opportunities.

So really it took me being laid off and desperate to start pursuing my passion. Think I can do it? I have until August 31st to find out!

By: Jodee

Jodee — Thu, 28 May 2009 01:43:26 +0000

@ Jennifer L: I admit that I’m the one in my family who always does things “the hard way” – but it’s always worked out in the end. Looking back, I could have done a lot of things differently, but I’ve learned some great stuff along the way, so it was all worth it.

@ Alicia: You can take the experience you have in writing for work and put in on your resume. Starting a blog is a great way to get in the habit of writing regularly, and you can use your posts as samples.

@ Everyone: Thank you for your thoughtful comments.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Wed, 27 May 2009 23:02:08 +0000

Thanks for this article. I was recently “workforce reduced”, and have contemplated a career change for a long time now. I’ve always had some talent in writing, and am making steps to pursue writing professionally. I must admit though, it is scary changing careers, particularly since most writing jobs want someone with writing experience. I’ve written for my work positions, (company newsletters, investigation reports, etc), but getting the kind of “previous experience” companies are looking for when you are just starting out is difficult. It can be discouraging. I am expecting to work a “day job” for a while until the writing really gets going. Under suggestion from my career counselor, I recently started a blog to get back in the practice of writing for enjoyment. I believe it has helped. Your article, and especially that quote helps to give me some inspiration.

Thanks much.

By: AuroraGG

AuroraGG — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:38:39 +0000

For my first four years I worked full time and freelanced in any spare time I could find. When the time came that my freelancing earnings near matched my day job, I quit the day job in a flash. Taking the big risk and just “doing it” was out of the question for me. Without the day job taking up 8 hours a day, I soon realized that I could double my freelance writing time and corresponding earnings.

I think most will have a different comfort level, but if you have a day job where you can slowly ease back on hours — and then put those hours directly into your writing business — you should be able to gauge if this is going to be the right thing for you to do. In hindsight I wish I had of done that. I believe I would have moved to doing this full-time much sooner than I actually did.

By: Meghna

Meghna — Tue, 26 May 2009 19:47:24 +0000

Wow… I find that quote really inspiring.

Even though I have been working as a freelance writer for over 3 years now, I still have huge doubts about picking up new type of projects. I am going to keep that line in my mind now and go for them.

By: Jennifer L

Jennifer L — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:21:35 +0000

Good points, Jodee! I’d add “If you want to be a writer, just WRITE.” You have to start somewhere.

And as the kind of person who tends to be scared to take a big leap, I’d be more likely to advocate for writing on your own time before quitting your day job. But again, that’s just me, the big chicken talking.

By: RC

RC — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:45:54 +0000

This is so true! I have always wanted to be a freelance writer, but I never had the guts to make the leap. Recently, I found the courage to just go for it, I quit my job to pursue freelance writing and guess what? My previous employer hired me to do several writing projects for them for way more than I ever expected to make. I’m learning that I can make this work and it is worth the effort.

By: Jenni

Jenni — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:20:06 +0000

Thanks for the encouragement. I’ve been wanting to go freelance for quite some time, but not had the guts. There’s something to be said for having a part time job until you are confident you can make enough income through freelancing though.