Tips for Setting Up a Freelance Writing Schedule

I've dreamed of freelancing since I was young. But it wasn't until recently that I actually came up with a plan. Since then, my freelance writing career has become a reality.

Here are some tips that helped me transition from just thinking about it to actually doing it...

*Join online writing communities. For over the past two years I've been participating in FaithWriters.com's "Weekly Challenges." Although I didn't receive money for this, it's given me confidence to start submitting my work, again. What's more, I've grown there, learning from seasoned writers. Not only do you have the challenge of placing each week and moving up in the levels of Beginners, Intermediates, Advanced, and Masters, but other writers offer loving, constructive feedback on your Challenge entries, as well as the ones you submit in FaithWriter's "General Submissions" link. You also learn more about your craft from the many forums on the Message Boards.

*Discover what kind of writing is suited for you. Okay, I finally realized (just weeks ago) I'm not cut out to write a novel. At first it sounded exciting--creating your characters and plot. I also read threads on my favorite online writers' message boards about scores of writers working on their novels. I jumped in, too, last summer, starting three different novels. I pounded out the first three or four chapters with unbridled enthusiasm. Then I came to a sudden halt, fizzling out around chapter three and four, clueless as to where to go. I'd also realized I'd sidetracked into too many subplots. How do people write novels? Wow, but I had a renew respect for novelists. Then I realized something. I'm much more energized writing shorter pieces. I also gravitate more to nonfiction. And, if I do write fiction, it's usually 750 words or less which is a short-short story. Recently, I dug out my Writers Market and started resubmitting some old articles, as well as writing new ones.

*Explore writing for the internet. I've discovered you can make some cash with web writing. Although web writing is different than writing for print publications, I think it's more for me. You get faster results and payback. What's more, it can also serve as an online portfolio of your work. Most of my web writing is with Associated Content, which gives upfront payments for original video, text, audio and images on any topic. Not only do you gain exposure for your work, but you also earn cash, which is deposited in your PayPal account. There are other web opportunities that are designed differently, such as Constant Content and Helium. Although you receive more pay for your articles at Constant Content, because they don't give upfront payments, there's no guarantee someone will buy them . And, if someone does buy one of your articles, it could sit there for as long as a year or more. Another company, Helium, which focuses on research and other writers commenting on your work, is an excellent opportunity if you enjoy research.

These are just a few of the adjustments I've made since I've set up my freelance writing office. I'm sure other writers have methods that have proven successful for them, too. This is what works for me.