Comments on: It’s Not Your Job

By: steve

steve — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:53:50 +0000

I often say there is no time like the present... If i come up with a story idea from a news item, from a dream, or it just pops in at times and burns.... till i write it, I will try to at least write a summary of the idea so its not forgotton.

I dont fear failing as much as not getting started...

Dont overthink, you just wont write.

It kills creativity.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:32:28 +0000

It sure takes the pressure off, doesn't it Wendy?

Well said, Wade. I've sent queries out to everyone in publishing it seems. The ones who say yes make up for the ones who don't respond.

Go us indeed! LOL Thanks for sharing her wisdom.

Jake, I couldn't agree more. Having gone from loving my job to loathing it almost overnight (thank you, new boss), getting sacked was actually welcome. I've not been happier.

Great perspective, Paula. You did what Gabriella's interview subject did - you created your own specialty. (And I'm sure the guy's ears are fine - we're all human!)

By: Paula

Paula — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:50:12 +0000

I love the quote, too.

I landed all of my top clients by jumping in head first. A few people may have thought, "Who does she think she is? Why would those entertainment publications want a business writer located in the middle of nowhere?" I took a shot that they needed good writers who could focus on the business side of the industry an ignore the gossipy side of entertainment. I was right.

[OMG - I'm so embarrassed. I just had a minor coughing fit during an interview and had to ask the guy to hold for a minute.]

By: Jake P

Jake P — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:28:55 +0000

That is a great quote, a perfect corollary of my feelings when I made the decision to make the freelance leap way back when. There was no fate worse than another day in a job that was making me profoundly miserable.

By: Gabriella F.

Gabriella F. — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:50:36 +0000

Thanks for the shoutout, Lori.

I totally loved her quote--and it was a good reminder for life in general. I like Wendy and Wade's thoughts, too, especially the bald fact that we freelancers are going to miss more than we make.

So true, yet we still keep plugging ourselves. We are a unique and tenacious breed, aren't we? Go us!

OK, I may have lost my mind for a minute there. Carry on.

By: Wade Finnegan

Wade Finnegan — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:44:17 +0000

I'll piggy-back on Wendy's idea. There is opportunity everywhere. As a freelance writer you are going to miss more than you make, but one great client makes up for a lot of misses. You need to be a little stubborn and just keep asking until someone says yes.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:41:46 +0000

Thanks to Gabrielle for sharing that quote from the interview. I like it a lot. Basically, it says that you walk out of the interview the same way you walked in (if you don't get the job). You don't change at all, except you may be a little disappointed for a bit.

The world doesn't end, nor does the floor crumble from underneath you. It's just an opportunity to move on to the next one. Who knows the next one may be tons better than the previous one.