The Write Way: Confessions of a Young Freelancer

The time after college graduation is a confusingly overwhelming one. On the one hand, you're so excited to be out 'on your own', making your own decisions, free from the barriers of the classroom. On the other hand, you're scared to death and begin to question your educational and emotional preparation when hiring managers aren't exactly knocking down your door after the commencement ceremony. Needless to say, these feelings can be magnified, at least times ten, if you're a writer. Since writing can be both artsy and technical, it can be a little difficult to find your niche after graduation, especially if you've been used to writing in an academic fashion for most of your 'career.' Because I thought I was well aware of this, I decided to become a freelancer. Well, maybe 'decided' is the wrong word.

Don't get me wrong; I love being able to make my own schedule, and choose the publications I want to write for. But what the professors don't tell you in class is that a portfolio of newspaper articles you wrote in college, including the countless poems, prose pieces, and short stories you submitted to the campus literary journal really don't impress too many editors unless you're looking for an internship, you've been working for another publication for at least five years. Your teachers also fail to mention that it may take more than one internship (and sometimes, more than three) before someone in the office looks in the direction of your cubicle and says "That girl's got talent." And, because I had to find out all these things on my own, I didn't appreciate the gift of freelancing as much as I should have.

After all, my goal was to walk across that stage with my cap and gown on, flash that fabulous portfolio of mine in front of the top editors in the country after spending the summer recuperating from school, become associate editor at a great women's magazine, and eventually move my way up to editor-in-chief. Not bad for a professional plan, right? For some reason, it didn't occur to me that in writing, like all professions, practice makes perfect, and college isn't always enough practice. I also saw freelancing as a way to 'hold me over' until I found a 'real job.' Where these ideas came from, I'm not exactly sure. I mean, when you have a freelance assignment, you're expected to finish it, and when you do, you're paid for it, so isn't that a job? And once you've written for a few publications and are looking for more work, your resume, which shows your previous experience, is sometimes the determining factor that prompts editors to hire you as a freelancer.

So, in a way, freelancing provided me with more control than I was ready for as a recent college graduate. And, I had no idea how much ambition was necessary to be successful at freelancing. Let's face it; as much as you think you may be ready to make your own choices, you're still looking for a little guidance professionally. And, you would prefer that guidance come from someone who has the power to say "you're hired." It took me a few months to realize that I was essentially in control of how much money I made that month; and since I was so prepared to be salaried, this was a disappointment instead of a great opportunity-at first. Then there were the employee benefits-I had been dreaming of being added to the company health and dental plans, and had no idea how I was going to accomplish this as a freelancer. But I found out that individual insurance can be quite affordable, and you don't have to wait for a company to provide it for you. In retrospect, I also realize that freelancing is solely based on your talent and your ability to follow the writer's guidelines. So, you can't hide behind your 'connections' that may have landed you an office job. This can be pretty scary when you're just getting out of school, since you may not know just how talented you are yet, and it's much easier to blend in with all the other staff members, do the work you're assigned, and try not to be too noticeable. But, you may never get your confidence as a writer that way; when you query publications or submit articles, the editors see you for the writer you really are. You're not being recommended by someone else, so you have to be your biggest fan. I'm learning not to be so frightened by this, since the challenge of freelancing forces you to hold yourself to a higher standard of writing excellence.

I was also really unaware of how many freelancers are out there, and how many people are very secure with this title. No one tells you in college that freelancing is a very realistic option for writers, and that it could provide very lucrative income. So now, I embrace the term 'freelancer'. When I'm interviewing someone for a story or covering an event, I have no qualms about telling people I'm freelancing for the publication. After all, when you can afford to walk in a place in a Kenneth Cole suit and DKNY accessories (finally), most people can come to respect the fact that you're a freelance writer. But, this doesn't mean that I won't keep applying for full-time staff positions that interest me. I just won't stay up at night wondering if they'll call me back. In the meantime, I'll just continue controlling my income and showcasing my talent-in other words, I'll keep freelancing. Who knows? I may get another job today.