Does anyone write freelance?

[blonde_princess]

If so, may I pick you brain a bit? I've been looking into it for some time now, but just cannot seem to catch a break...

[tweed]

BP, I have not written what most would call "freelance". I've written a couple of modest historical articles for the local newspaper. Pretty heady stuff, huh?
Seriously, what are you thinking of doing?

Steve

[blonde_princess]

Hiya Steve
I can't post or talk worth a darn, but those times when the wiring upstairs is right, and the light bulb flickers, my fingers can't go fast enough. I've been writing since high school, articles for small town papers, some freelance article work here and there, been working on a 3 part series book for 2 years now, but basically I'm wondering if it's really possible to earn at least a part time wage doing freelance work. I've run across a bunch of freelance job boards, but 99% of them are all outdated to not kept up with... And I'm clueless on how to even approach magazines...
Thanks for any help!
Mel

[tweed]

I am not sure Melody.
Never dealt with a magazine before.
I just write my article for the local paper, e-mail it and then follow up with the editor.
Are you thinking of doing short stories, personal opinions? What's your strong suit?
With your web experience, you might want to consider your own site/blog, with your stories. Maybe get noticed and then published.

Steve

[blonde_princess]

Thanks Steve. I'm going to try the "blogging" thing to see if it gets me anywhere other than frustrated. LOL!

[redbrick]

I'm afraid I'm not much help, either. I've written a few articles for Heirloom Gardener, but not much else. I don't think I could make a living on my writing, but I'm having fun with it.

[SpaceAge]

I dunno , I'm writing a book , titled " You Can't Get There From Here™" ...

It's some pretty funny stuff , but not freelance whatever that is I'm sure ...

[redbrick]

Freelance just means that you're not a hired writer. You write what and when you want, then hope that someone likes your work enough to publish it.

[nedwina]

This is published every year, and may have some useful leads:

http://www.amazon.com/2009-Writers-M.../dp/1582975418

[nedwina]

Originally Posted by redbrick

Freelance just means that you're not a hired writer. You write what and when you want, then hope that someone likes your work enough to publish it.

Actually, there is a kind of hidden freelance writing market that can supply a living if you can tap into it. A friend of mine writes copy for big companies' benefit packages & and health insurance plans. She writes the copy for the brochures, the websites, and for orientation materials. It's not "creative"- they tell you what to write and at what reading level they want it- sometimes even what kind of "tone". (Like telling Type A CEO's to get a physical every year in a firm manner, LOL!)

And it's not easy. It's very feast or famine moneywise- with crazy deadlines and many crazy copywriter wannabees on the committee overseeing and critiqueing your work. But she does ok.

She's been doing it for decades, (and used to be in the insurance biz long ago) and has a strong network of insurance people (and ad and graphic designers too), so I wouldn't know how to advise BP to break into something like that. For BP I'd say it's the old adage: write what you know (or what you're interested in), and where your connections are.