If you think there is something glamorous about the life of a writer, think again. Most writers aren’t composing brilliant works of fiction or penetrating, in depth analyses of the news. They’re racing against the clock, trying to meet deadlines, writing articles about how to get rid of acne or some other subject that is of no interest to them.
Freelancers often have a slightly better deal, at least with regards to what they write about. At least some of the time, they can find assignments on subjects they know and care about. On the other hand, there’s not job security in freelancing.
Now and then, though, the writer gets a break and for a period of time can live the writer’s dream. They get a nice big assignment to write about something they’re passionate about. Occasionally, these assignments can last for several weeks or even months. A female writer, for instance, may land a commission writing content and product descriptions for a fine jewelry website. For a period of time, she will be writing about rhodium earrings and other jewelry she loves.
There was a time when freelancers were able to make a decent living writing online. That still can happen, but the competition is getting fierce, thanks to the economy. Increasingly, even professional journalists and college professors are moonlighting as freelancers, just to earn a little extra cash. An extra $20 comes in very handy and surely beats sitting in front of the TV worrying about the bills.
For all of its downsides, you would be hard pressed to find a writer who works from his home who really wants to give it up and go back to the office. Once you’ve done it for awhile, the idea of commuting to work and having a boss is almost impossible to contemplate.
Another thing writers love about their work is the challenge. Even when you’re writing about something you don’t want to write about, you find it challenging and fulfilling to successfully finish the task. There aren’t a lot of men who are overjoyed by the prospect of writing about hobo handbags, but they tackle the job and find an angle that works anyway. They have to.
There’s a great deal of satisfaction that comes from doing this. Aside from the obvious fact that your completed work is going to feed you for a little while, there’s the satisfaction of having completed your job successfully.
No, there’s nothing glamorous about a writer’s working day. But is there anything glamorous about most jobs? At least, as a freelance writer, you can leave your office when you’re sick of working and not get fired.