So You Want to Be a Freelance Writer

So you want to be a freelance writer. The most important word, and most feared and hated being a writer, is Rejection. Yes, not every editor or reader out there will love your article. Being rejected is a part of the game, taking a basketball analogy, even Michael Jordan got rejected on the court.

However, don't let rejection get you down. They are not personal attacks, in most cases, simply either a difference of opinion, or perhaps style. The second being the worst, but there are things you can learn from these.

Number one, the editor doesn't hate you, he/she is not out to get you, or destroy your career. Many times, they will give advice on how to improve your article so you can resubmit. Also, readers do write hate mail, at least the petty ones. Every famous person in the world has gotten hate mail, it comes with the territory.

Number two, again, the fan isn't out to get you. Some of my favorite authors, humorists, actors, musicians, have created works that I can't stand. Do I stop listening, reading, or watching, not yet. Maybe when I'm older, and more set in my ways. A fan is just that, a fan. They will judge each work you create, and hopefully enjoy it as much as you did while making it. Again, comes with the territory.

Number three, enjoy. Writing comes from a love of reading, so remember that what you put into an article should be fun. People reading your work will understand if you enjoyed the subject, or are merely trying to get a paycheck. Rejections will come, but never let them upset you. Learn from them, and after you do, enjoy writing that next article.

Number four, you must understand that as a writer, learning from past mistakes is important. If you have an editor that hates reviews, send your current one to that other magazine that thrives on them. If your prose isn't descriptive enough, try reading and learning from authors who are. When someone tells you a critical comment about your article, don't get angry, simply listen, and make a choice to use it or not.

Finally, never forget that writing can be hard, but it's a passion. Men and women the world over risk their lives everyday, to put it in perspective. Police, firemen and women, soldiers, even doctors subjected to differing diseases. With us, rejection may mean more work, but trust me, not as much as being on the frontlines. With us, a smaller paycheck may seem terrible, but at the end of the day, we are still alive.