Some Side Jobs for the Freelance Writers in Between Work

Often, in the beginning of choosing to be a freelance writer, the career minded writer has to pay some of the regular bills. It can be hard. If we want to write for magazines we have to put a lot of work in to getting in touch with editors. Like fiction submission, a non-fiction submission may never be responded to, or will not for months (possibly six). So the bills have to be paid. They can, because there are plenty of jobs that will help the creative mind. Fiction and non-fiction is all about people, places, and things. When we work a regular job, we can explore the possibilities it has for our writing.

Journalism - Many writers began with journalism. Some love the field; others hate it. The fact is this: there is more of a need for copy editors and basic news writers than there is freelance magazine writers or novelists. Newspapers always have their doors open because the field is so big. Many famous writers started out writing for newspapers, most notably Ernest Hemingway. We learn to speak in short, instead of being overly wordy. Best of all, we can pay our bills by actually writing. This is perhaps the best side job for the freelance writer. A career in journalism is a good way for career minded writers to begin, or supplement, their writing career.

Waiter - The waiter actually makes decent money in our society. Writers are allowed to experience the different ways people act. One man could become a character of a novel because of the way he talks. One woman could provide the description of sexy heroine that we were in dire need of. The stories and details we will hear as waiters will find their way into our prose. We are also in one of the more social jobs available, and writers are ever looking for ways to get away from the chair and talk to people. Best of all, waiters are always needed. And a top waiter at a signature restaurant can make over a $100 a day.

Cashier - Cashiers get paid, generally, the least amount of any of these choices. But, like being a waiter, cashiers are meeting people on a consistent basis. Cashiers are needed in countless business. We learn how to handle money here, try to get on the boss's good side, and make money when we can. This is not a career, but it can offer the freelance writer with little education to pay the bills.

That's just the tip of the iceberg. We could become an expert on car mechanics after writing a series of articles. Perhaps we write for a cooking magazine and see an classified on a restaurant that is hiring. The possibilities are endless. Consider, the next time you need extra cash, taking an odd job to pay some of the bills.