Comments on: Excuses that Kill Your Freelance Writing Career

By: lwidmer

lwidmer — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 13:55:46 +0000

LOL I do the same thing when people say they have to “Google” something. I refuse to be part of that heinous ritual!

You’re right — we have time. We simply don’t make it. I make time for my business, my exercise, my poetry, my reading… and Broadchurch episodes, of course. 😉

By: Paula Hendrickson

Paula Hendrickson — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 22:20:42 +0000

There’s always the classic, “I don’t have the time.” We all have 24 hours in a given day. We all have commitments, priorities, etc…The trick is making freelancing a priority. I know people who find time to do that while holding down a full time job and raising a family. If it’s important, you’ll make the time.

As for the luck and privilege, I’m one of the unluckiest and least privileged people you’ll meet. But I’ll give you one thing: childhood trauma and growing up poor can really help define priorities. While my friends were “partying” (while I yelled, “It’s NOT a verb!”), I was reading Writers Digest and writing $50 profiles for a local weekly paper. Then I used those clips to break into better markets.

By: lwidmer

lwidmer — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 13:25:59 +0000

In reply to Cathy Miller.

It is hard work, Cathy. You’re right. It’s not all lattes and conversation as we file stories from coffee shops.

Part bulldog — amen to that! If you don’t defend your turf or fight for your business, you won’t have one to fight for.

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 12:56:13 +0000

This post comes on the heels of a discussion I had with someone I met my first year of freelancing. At the time, she was still in the corporate world. In 2015, she started freelancing. She commented how hard freelancing is. But, I believe she’ll make it. Why? Because she recognizes it takes work and she makes no excuses. She just keeps working hard. I admire her professionalism.

I’ve always said you need to be part bulldog to make this work. Through my conversation with this fellow freelancer I discovered something I hadn’t really zoned into. 2018 marks my 10th anniversary of freelancing. When did that happen? 😀 Guess I was too busy working to notice. 😉