Is Becoming a Freelance Writer a Dream, or a Career Move?

Often times, when I speak with authors or other freelance writers, they tell me that they really had “no choice” when it came to working with words. Either they grew up in writing families where they simply learn to put ideas and stories together at a young age, or had an epiphany early on and never seriously considered another career.

In other words, they were born to be writers.

I’m somewhat embarrassed to tell them that my story is a lot different. I didn’t become a writer because I felt a burning compulsion to, or out of a sense of responsibility to the craft, or the written word. I just made the switch because I enjoy writing, was looking for something different to do, and wanted more control over my own lifestyle. For me, it was that simple.

Why am I bothering to share this? There are two reasons. First, I know that there have to be other freelance writers out there – or men and women who are thinking of becoming freelance writers – who are in similar circumstances. Maybe you want to turn words into money, but mostly because it’s easier or more fun than what you’re doing right now. I want to let you know, firsthand, that it’s not a problem, and you can make a very good living doing just that.

The second reason is because, even though it doesn’t make for as great a story, in some ways I think it’s actually better to become a freelance writer as the result of a practical choice. Because I always approached writing as a different job, I didn’t romanticize it. I love books and words, but I still knew that marketing would be involved, that there would be bills to pay, and that my clients had to come ahead of my artistic sensibilities. A lot of writers seem to struggle with those notions, and so their careers suffer as a result.

I’m certainly not going to say that there is a right or wrong path to becoming a freelance writer. There are certainly people who are better at it than I am, and many of them probably felt a life-long pull towards the written word. But, if you want to become a freelance writer and are feeling a little worried because you never had that “ah-ha” moment where skies seem to open and knowledge poured into you, don’t let that hold you back from making an important move… or being incredibly successful with it.