Not quite what I expected
When I decided I wanted to be a full-time freelance writer, I was thinking about writing articles and books — not writing line items on invoices. I think that’s a common problem among creative types looking to make a living from their hobbies or talents. In our minds, if we can just get to a point where we’re writing, or painting, or singing — or whatever — for a living, then life will be good.
Well, I’ve got to say: Working for myself as a writer is glorious. Fortunately, before I dove into the writing industry, I spent years in retail management and then in insurance sales. I also majored in business in college, until I moved to Charlotte and switched to communication studies/ mass media. So, I feel prepared.
However, while I expected to spend time networking, planning — budgets, business plans and marketing campaigns, and dealing with the financials, I never considered how much time I would actually spend NOT writing.
I’m sad to say I spend the majority of my time not writing. Managing the business side of things takes up a significant amount of time. As does getting prepared to write. At no time, unless I’m writing a journal entry — like this — do I sit down and start hammering away at the keyboard without piles of research to back me up.
Writing for a living involves so much more than writing. It is a business, after all. And, while it’s not quite what I expected, I couldn’t be happier with my decision to become a freelance writer.
A lot of the business stuff is just maintenance, like filing and following up on unpaid invoices. It’s manageable. It’s also the source of a new goal: I’ve decided the next marker of my success marker will be met when I hire an assistant.
No, I don’t have any grand ideas about having someone working full-time, making coffee and managing everything that doesn’t involve research or writing. But, having someone help me with some of the tedious business basics would make a huge difference. After all, if I’m not writing I’m not bringing in any income into the business.
So, as always, the evolution continues.
