Interview with a Freelance Writer
Have you ever wondered about freelancing writing from your own home? Have you always loved to write, and maybe you even make a living writing, and you’re interested in moving into your own home office and working for yourself?Wouldn’t you love to hear what a real freelance writer has to say for those starting out?
Well, I have sat down with a real freelance writer, Marie Newman, and we’re here to discuss what it’s like being a freelancer writer. And to set the record straight on what it’s like being one.
Molly: Hi Marie! Thanks for doing this with us.
Marie: Anytime, Molly. I’m glad to help out.
Molly: Let’s get down to business, shall we?
Marie: Sounds good!
Molly: What’s an average working day for you like?
Marie: Well, I get up about 4 in the morning, mostly because I like getting up early. I make breakfast for my husband and I, and sit down to work. I’ll work until about 10 or 12, then take a break for lunch. I’ll probably start up again around 1, and work until five or six in the evening.
Some days vary, and some days I don’t even work at my own home. After I quit work, and right after I wake up, I’ll check my email for messages from clients. I’m usually available by email around the clock - from the minute I wake up, to the minute I go to sleep. It’s almost an obsession for me.
Molly: Wow! So, who do freelance writers work for?
Marie: Anyone and everyone, pretty much.
Molly: Any chance you could be a little more specific?
Marie: (Laughs) Well, basically, I’m a freelance contractor; that means I work with anyone who needs writing done, and is willing to pay my rates. I don’t mean that as in, I charge you an arm and a leg - I normally give my clients, especially repeat clients, a good deal. I just mean that I won’t work for peanuts, as many freelancers do.
Molly: Do you specialize in any special type of writing?
Marie: Many freelancers do! However, I’m a pretty much do-everything type of gal. I do high converting sales letters, articles of any lengths, e-books, editing and proofreading… you hand me a project, chances are, I can do it.
Many freelancers specialize in certain things - I know those who do only e-books, only articles, and many do just sales letters or web content. It’s what you’re good at, basically.
Molly: So wait, why do you do everything?
Marie: It’s fun, and it gives me a chance to experience new things, learn more about different topics, and really work with more people. Plus, I’m one of the types of freelancers who’s pretty good at almost anything. Some topics still daunt me, but I’ll tackle them.
Molly: What topics do you write on? Do some freelancer writers specialize in topics, too?
Marie: Some do, though I’ve written on nearly everything under the sun. I know a writer who only does topics on horses, dogs, animals in general… I know I personally dislike writing on some topics, but I try not to specialize like that. I’ve written on hundreds of subjects - and those that I haven’t, I’ll do research. I just love learning about new things.
Molly: How did you get into freelance writing? What drew you to it?
Marie: Well, I worked as a writer, and I was pretty fed up with my job. I was barely paying my bills, they wouldn’t give me a raise - or time off to spend with my husband - and I got really sick of the way I was treated. I brought the company in over $12 million in a year, yet I was getting paid diddly?
I started looking around online, and came across a really great website that connected freelance writers - and other freelancers - with people who needed those writers. It was awesome… I got my profile up and running, and started looking for work. It took a bit, since I didn’t have many samples on my computer, but I landed a great job.
I worked as a freelancer on the side for about six months; then, one day, after having been yelled at for being five minutes late and basically treated like dirt the rest of the day, I walked out!
I’ve been freelancing full time from my home ever since!
Want to hear more?
Check out part two of this interview, where we go in depth with Marie Newman, freelance writer - including her struggles with being a writer at home, and why freelance writing was the most rewarding thing she could do!
Until next time, Molly MoneyBags out!
