As a freelance writer trying to help others get into the business, I feel like I have to be honest about something. There are a lot of sunny days. No matter where you live, there are a lot of sunny days, and because you’re a freelance writer, you’re not going to be able to enjoy them. There are oodles of benefits to being a freelance writer, but if you’re interested in becoming a freelance writer, you have to know about the bad with the good. You have to know about what I call the Sunny Day Problem.

When you start working with a new client, they might ask you to sign a non-disclosure agreement, or NDA. They’re actually quite common, especially on bidding sites where you might not get the job. An NDA protects the intellectual property surrounding a project…but as a writer, is it a good idea to sign one?
First, let’s [...]

Most clients of mine specify certain style details when we start working together. Client A wants a bold-faced headline with no headings or bullet points and single spacing. Client B wants everything in a .txt file with at least three headings per article. I actually have a file where I save all style directions to [...]

Occasionally, as a freelance writer, you may be asked to cover an event for a client. You might also want to cover an event if you write a blog. I found myself is such a situation many times over the past few years, and it isn’t an easy gig, especially if you aren’t prepared.

Most parents just want to see their children be successful and happy, but unfortunately that can turn into power struggles when it comes to career choices. Although your life is ultimately your decision, it is often hard for parents to stay out of the decision, since many help pay for college. They want to see that their money wasn’t wasted. Telling your parents that you’d going to avoid the job search and instead be a freelancer can be daunting.

I love Grey’s Anatomy. Sue me. I know the show isn’t nearly as good as it used to be. I know that it’s a chick flick turned into a TV show. I know that the actors are a little elitist.
I still love it, and I have since about season two, when my college friends got [...]

You might be new to this biz, but it won’t be long before you start seeing the term “rock star” thrown around online in relation to writers. Clients advertise wanting a “rock star writer.” Some bloggers call themselves “rock star bloggers.” Just look through the archive of your favorite writing site (other than this one, of course), and you’ll probably find at least one reference to “learning to be a rock star.” But you know, I’ve read some bad things about that term too.