Life as a Freelance Writer

Some folks think that Freelance Writing is simply opening Microsoft word or some similar program and writing a few hundred words! Life is not that easy! Neither is being a freelance writer.

The biggest issue I hear is that content writing takes to long. So true, and when the writer is sitting cranking out 5,000 words a day does take time. Imagine sitting down and typing 5,000 words a day! Can you do it? Granted not every writer pounds out 5,000 words a day, some type less while others do more. That amount of words is an average of ten articles a day.

Considering that, most novels on the market are 60,000 to 70,000 words; it's conceivable that most freelance writers who write 5,000 words on a daily basis could write a novel in 2 weeks! Imagine writing 24 novels a year! It would take lots of time, but once the words are typed, there is the editing, which takes almost as long.

Most content writers do not have the time to write a novel, because they are pumping out articles to survive. I know quite a few writers who do this, and I know even more who write for the joy of it. I am one of those who pound out 5,000 words on average a day. I write for various content web sites, short stories and articles for print, and yeah I have a few novels in the process. I have trouble finishing them, as I am spending my time writing content to survive. Recently I took a part time job, so I do not need to write as much.

We also face increased risks for health issues such as the formation of blood clots and heart disease. Carpal tunnel is a huge problem for many of us but eyestrain is even more commonplace.

Aside from the increased medical risks, we also face isolation from people as we pound out these words. Marriages and romantic relationships are strained, as are relationships from our children. Writers need to write to bring in the income, but it's also important for us to give those we love some of our time on a daily basis.

In the evening hours when my children are home, I tend to take off a few hours so that I can spend time with them. Have a date night each week with your spouse or significant other, but don't forget about them the rest of the week. Do what you can to give the ones you love the time they need on a daily basis.