When I first embarked on my freelance writing career, I was all starry-eyed and excited about what my future held.  I imagined long hours in front of my laptop working on my poetry/manuscript/latest article.  It would be hard work, but my God it would be satisfying!  And I would be so happy.  My creative juices would be flowing constantly, a steady stream of literary brilliance.  I would be wowing the world with my writing prowess.  You get the picture.  All would be well in Colleen land.

Well, it’s ten months later and, as usual, the reality of the situation has fallen a wee bit short of the dream.  There are certain truths about freelance writing that I never, ever considered until I ran smack into them.

Jammies all day, all the time

When I started freelancing from home, I no longer had to worry about a uniform or finding a pair of panty hose that were run-free.  There was no hair coiffing or making sure that my lip liner matched my lipstick. Since my business contacts were usually done through email, I could spend all day happily working away in my flannel duckie jammies and Duran Duran T-shirt.  Doesn’t that sound wonderful?
Well, it was. For the first week, anyway. Then the lines between rest and work started to blur and I found myself asking that all important freelancing question: when was the last time I changed? Now, there are daily showers going on, but the need to wear clean clothes kind of went out the window. And after years of working outside of the house, I must say that wearing my jammies from dusk to, well, dusk, was blissful. But, like most things, the novelty did wear off. Now I make sure that I get dressed at least every second day.

Not all writing is glamorous

Sure, it would be great to jump into the freelance writing biz and get paid to write about things you love.  Well, as it took me about two seconds to discover, that that wasn’t going to  always happen.  When I started out, I dreamt of writing about animals and the environment.  Well, I write about celebrity gossip, the Arctic, and shelving.  Yes, I said shelving.   I could write only about what I love, but that wouldn’t necessarily bring in any money.  So I apply for contracts that I know I won’t love, but can do.  And I try to make the best of it and learn from it what I can. For example, if you have any shelving needs, I’m your woman.  I’m also fluent in what’s going on in the Arctic (quite a bit has to do with the environment, which is a bonus).  I can also whip up a thrilling 200-word explanation of a beer fridge.

Motivation does not always equal action

Okay, today I’ll start editing my book.  And write a chapter or two of the new one.  And edit some poetry.  I’ll also start that article on animal rehab that I wanted to try to get published. But, wait, I am almost finished that awesome new book.  Maybe I’ll finish that first; that way it won’t be on my mind while I’m working.  And I have to check out my facebook.  And email.  Oh, yeah, I haven’t Twittered in an hour, so there’s that, too.

And, you know I really should do a load of laundry.  And maybe dust.  Wow, look, it’s lunch so I have to eat.  Wonder if I have any new email? Should check in at canoe.com to see what’s going on in the world.   It’s now 2 pm, so I should grab a snack–want to keep my energy up.
Wowsers, look at that!  It’s 4 pm already.  It was a busy day. And I’ve accomplished—nothing?  Wait, that’s not possible, is it?  Oh, but it is.  When you freelance from home, there are so many other things you could be doing besides work.  Surfing the net, housework, taking care of the animals.  All of these things help me to procrastinate.  Which means that there are times when it is midnight and I am scrambling to write 15 blogs on meditation.

I am slowly working on mending my procrastinating ways by scheduling my day and planning my writing time.  Now, if I could only stick to the schedule……

I can’t always bring the funny.  Or the smart

Writing everyday can be hard.  And tedious.  I’m not always funny or smart.  I can’t always deliver engaging copy, despite what I may claim in my resume and CV.  There are just days when writing seems foreign to me and the words hit the screen heavy, not making a whole lot of sense.
But it’s not the end of the world.  Hey, that’s what editing is for, right? And chocolate.

Writing books are great, as long as you read them

The Craft and Business of Writing… Robert’s Rules of Writing…Starting Your Career as a Freelance Writer.  All wonderful books that I own and proudly display on my bookshelf. But I haven’t read them yet.  Or the other twenty that I own.  And why not? Well, my name is Colleen and I am addicted to books.  I love going to the bookstore and buying books.  Always too many than I can possibly read.  It used to be just novels, but since I have started writing, writing books of all shapes and sizes find a good home with me.

As with any skill or craft, there is a bit of studying required.  After all, if writing were any different, then universities wouldn’t offer creating writing classes, would they?  So I buy writing books to better understand my craft and use my skills.  I just haven’t gotten to the reading them stage, yet.

But I do love my books and go over to the bookshelf and say “Hey” every once in a while.  And I swear I’ll read them all front to cover.  Starting tonight. Maybe.

Quit bitching and just write

This has slowly become my mantra when I find myself stuck and complaining about all the above things.  Because, at the end of the day, that’s what it’s really all about:  the writing.  Honing my skill.  Wowing people with my words.

Despite the challenges of freelance writing, whether internal or external, I love it.  I love the freedom of working when I want to and getting paid to put all my crazy thoughts down on paper.  Sure, it might not be as glamorous as some people think, but that’s fine with me.  I’m not in it for the recognition: I’m in it for the love of words.

So anytime I get stressed by the boring topic, pile of writing books that I should read, or my my easily distracted mind, I tell myself to quit bitching and write.  And it usually works. After all, it’s what I live for.

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