Learning From Other Freelance Writers

There seem to be a few schools of though in the writing world. There are the writer artiste types who focus on the craft and the artistic nature of the writing. There are the business writers who write as a business – worrying more about maintaining their brand and getting money in the door using their skill than writing the Great American Novel. Then there are the writers who enjoy pulling together pieces as part of their hobby or because they want to pick up a few dollars here or there.

Fortunately these three types of writers don’t have to exist separately, and there is much to learn from all three – especially if you find yourself dissatisfied at times with your own area of the freelance writing business.

Writers as Artists

There is a great deal of glamour in the image of the writer holed up in the cottage by the sea for months on end banging out a novel on an old fashioned typewriter. Hollywood loves these writers for their sheer romantic imagery. The problem with that image, however, is that very few writers are getting paid to sit in rented cottages writing books on spec. Hence, a bit of practicality is in order.

By all means get a cabin by the sea – why not? Freelance writers can live anywhere there’s an internet connection. And pound away on the typewriter until your fingers bleed, although a laptop might be more practical in the long-run. But live the starving artist lifestyle to protect your artistic integrity? Only if you’re into Ramen noodles. Taking the artistry down a notch, at least a few days a week, and you can ease into better business practices and earn a bit more to sustain yourself until that novel is finished.

Writers as Businesspeople

The writer who recognizes a craft and then markets it can turn a fair profit. The better your business skills, the better your writing business will be. There are many writers today who can bring in business and turn out finished products, but it all gets a bit dry sometimes. When you realized you’re forcing yourself to write about dog food and you’d rather stick pin in your eye than write another word, take a step back.

Learn from those that love the craft and turn what you do into an art form as well as a business model. Write prose or poetry. Start a blog just for the sake of writing about things you love and enjoy. You can monetize it later. Or don’t monetize it at all and just enjoy journaling online to get some of the demons out. Write something pretty just because it’s, well, pretty!

Writing as a Hobby

Hobbyist writers are the best of the breed. They don’t have to earn a living and they don’t have to craft a tome worthy of the classics. They can just write about cooking shrimp or local politics to make their hearts feel super happy, to borrow a phrase from a rather annoying show my kids watch on occasion. If we were to all focus on writing more about what makes us feel good, the simple pleasure of the hobby can blend with the artistry or words to make us enough money to satisfy the capitalist in us all. It’s a potent mixture, but one spicy enough to make writing fun every day – or almost every day, which is good enough for me.

This post first appeared on GoingFreelance.com