Comments on: Top Tips Writers Series #6: Emily Fowler

By: Emily Fowler

Emily Fowler — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 07:00:51 +0000

Thanks Sharon, for me it's been the little things that I've noticed really making a difference, like the fact that I'm enjoying cooking again! I used to come home from work, rush through cooking dinner, eat it and then work. Now my boyfriend joins me in the kitchen and we talk, something he couldn't do when I was working 2 jobs because I'd snap at him. I think he likes me better now 🙂

By: Sharon Hurley Hall

Sharon Hurley Hall — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 18:00:26 +0000

Great tips, Emily. I find me-time remains the biggest challenge.

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:20:04 +0000

Sorry, Writing. Your comment went straight to Spam.

I've seen it, too. The less they know about your day job, the better, as Emily points out.

By: Writing is my passion

Writing is my passion — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 00:52:30 +0000

Number 5 is a killer. I've seen freelance writers mention they have a day job and something just clicked in the customer's heads -boom, they no longer believe you will finish the work on time or have it revised, or worse.

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 14:24:36 +0000

Alex, I love your additional advice! It's true -- a safety net is not a bad idea. There's only one case in which it might not work: when it's used as a crutch. When I first started out, I had the safety net of temporary work. I didn't put a ton of effort into making freelancing work because I reasoned I'd always have temp work. A friend snapped me out of it and said words I still live by -- treat this job like it's your only option.

But I do agree the fear can paralyze in the beginning. Your advice is golden for that, especially if new writers treat it like a temporary situation.

She's good, isn't she, David? And if you need more help, holler. We're here to help you through your decision. Seriously. No one can know if it's right or wrong for you, but we can arm you with enough resources to make it easier to figure out.

By: David F

David F — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:01:47 +0000

Great tips! Invaluable for people in your situation, do I or don't i?
Thanks

By: Alex G

Alex G — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 22:47:57 +0000

Such good tips and advice. When students ask me about this I also tell them to not burn bridges. I tell them to have another skill which will always be in demand too. Touch typing is one. People will always need them. If things don't work out, and you can type, you'll still get some money! Cultivating other 'skills' with words – e.g. translation, teaching kids English grammar – is a bonus. I think it's about having safety net. That fear of it all going wrong tomorrow – which in some ways never leaves freelance writers – can sometimes by motivating, but sometimes paralysing and stressful … which you don't want!

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:25:14 +0000

Emily, thank you again for a terrific post!

You're right about not making the most of connections sometimes. We're all guilty of that to some degree. Yours is a reminder to rethink every connection in a new way.

By: Emily Fowler

Emily Fowler — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 18:25:20 +0000

Thanks both!

Anne, despite the fact that I didn't really make the most of my connections until I was about to leave, it has come in handy with connecting to trade publications in the industry.

Paula, I'm glad too :o) My day job gave me lots of business writing skills and industry knowledge, and my experience of 'working for the man', so to speak, makes me really, REALLY value freelancing!

By: Paula

Paula — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 16:18:33 +0000

Great advice, Emily.

I dipped my toe into freelancing in college, and skipped over the whole "day job" thing, and in retrospect I wish I had spent a couple years at a magazine or even a corporation. I'm sure I would have learned a lot of valuable things from the experience.

I'm glad you've made the transition to full-time freelancing.