I like your point about the skills not necessarily being transferable from writer to writer. You're probably right about the notion that it's all article work. The attached presumption with that thinking is that all article work is alike. I know a few writers I've hired who have given up on what I do. It's not easy — not inaccessibly hard, but definitely not a "4 Things You Need to Improve Your Workers Comp Program" kind of stuff.

Regarding advice: I've been lucky — the people who have asked me for advice have thanked me. And almost to the person, they've asked smart questions and not expected me to wax on endlessly on their behalf. There were those few, however…oy!

Collectively, we need to dispel the myth of overflow work; it's definitely one with a long shelf-life! In addition to what you and the commenters have pointed out here (i.e., that it really doesn't happen that much at all, and when it does I have trusted sources to go to), I’d add the related misconception that the work we do is just so easily transferable to someone else with no background or experience with the subject. I think the freelancers asking questions like this are still in the "article" mindset, as if freelance writing only includes that project type.

Had to chuckle at the point about asking advice… Egads, how often has this happened? Though, at least in my case, when somebody asks me, "How do I get started?" I can very comfortably say, "Read my book. It'll answer every question you have now plus a whole lot more that you haven't even thought of yet."

That said, I try to answer all email I get (and I usually succeed). But I too have been somewhat flabbergasted by how often I never get a thank-you. I'm not sure what's up with that. If it's a younger person writing, there does seem to be a serious entitlement thing going on with them…

Good stuff!

PB

Krista, you're so right! I remember when my kids were little, there was no working with them around! And frankly, nap times aren't long enough (nor was it fair that I didn't get one). You can't be productive with a baby around — you just can't.

That woman wouldn't last through the first diaper change, to be honest. I did my best work when my kids went to school. 🙂

April Fools! (Okay, fellow wordsmiths…is it plural, singular, possessive? I've never heard a definitive answer.)

It's one thing for a newbie to ask, "How did you get started," but things have changed since I started freelancing back in the Dark Ages. Knowing how I got started won't be very helpful to someone starting out today who probably won't know what a SASE is or why anyone would want one.

Persistence is the habit I appreciate both the most and the least. If a new writer is persistent in marketing their writing services and seeking out clients, it's great. But if they're persistent in hounding me to hold their hand, it's not so great.

I used to spend time trying to help people who randomly emailed me for advice or "interviews" or whatever, but decided to stop when I realized how much time it was eating, and how few of them ever said thank you.

I've also had someone asking me to 'give' them my 'overflow' work. We'd literally just connected on LinkedIn, I removed him straight away. I've helped out a writer friend recently because she had some things going on that meant she wasn't able to complete everything she had on her plate, but again, she knows and trusts me!

And thank you for the generous compliment, but you did the hard work, girl. That success is all yours. 🙂

Cathy, great advice. Mistakes happen, and they're learning experiences. Blogs and forums — AMEN. Pay attention, too. Not all advice is going to fit, nor is it always said with the right intention. I would highly suspect commentary from people who mention their products/courses in the same breath.

The word "passive" is what's deceiving, right? I've seen people flock to the passive-income idea. Uh huh. And what work do you need to do in order to get it to the passive point? If you're smart, a lot more work than you first think. 🙂