Manage Your Freelance Career and Your Writing Life

Freelance work comes in many different varieties, such as long term projects, "one off" projects, and short term projects. Understanding the many different types may help you to balance your freelance work and keep your income flowing.

At any one time, freelance can be juggling between two and ten projects, not to mention marketing, invoicing and collections. Following are the stages and phased of freelance writing jobs.

I managed to prune my notebook of writing quotes down to just a few (well, ok, twenty-five). Enjoy!

You know you're a freelancer when: We go over some of the unique and funny parts of the freelance writing life.

Gretchen Roberts' eBook explains how to make full time freelance writing income (30K-80K per year) in part time hours (less than 40 per week). A review of the eBook Full-Time Income in Part-Time Hours by Gretchen Roberts.

Some ideas on how to organize a writer's home office.

You've got writing samples that you want to use, but their still in a past client's grip. What is a writer to do?

Freelance writers- both beginners and veterans- talk about how they manage their writing clips.

When choosing freelance writing assignments, writers often want to know how to make the best choice. Don't apply haphazardly for every freelance writing job out there! Take a look at the BEST freelance writing assignments.

What to do between writing projects. Got some down time? Here are some suggestions on makng the most of your writing down time.

You will run into a problem client as a freelance writer (link), or you will at least have a problem WITH a client. You’ll need to handle it fast, and you’ll need to handle it well. There are three ways to deal with potential problem clients.

Why a writer is really a salesman. You're selling many things. Check it out.

Writers block can be a difficult, but there are ways to deal with it.

Writers- don't ruin your body! Believe it or not, you need your health in order to sit for 6-8 hours per day! Here are some ergonomic tips specifically for writers.

Perhaps you can string sentences together. Perhaps you're the next Hemingway. But you'll never pay the bills as a freelance writer without a whole lot of business savvy thrown in. Here are the skills you need NOW.

You've been away from your freelance writing career for a while, but now you'd like to re-launch. Here are the steps to re-launching your freelance writing career.

There are absolutely many positives about working at home. Those making the decision of whether or not to freelance full time should add these to the "plus" list!

Many freelance writers have been asking for advice on developing a niche. I point them toward some research to help in their niche development.

Freelance writers- do you need office space? Is it about that time? Find out here.

Many writers ask for guidance on finding a niche specialty. This is the story of my niche development.

Freelancers can indeed help to save the environment! Here are a few ways to be a green freelancer.

A freelance writer asks about writing and selling an ebook.

What writing software does a writer need to get started?

A reader asks when take freelance writing to a freelance writing business.

Scheduling tips for freelance writers: how to have a sick day, how to take a vacation.

Although freelance writing is a relatively cheap undertaking, needing, at the very least, access to a computer, freelancers will find that a few tools of the trade will ramp up their prose and help them to more efficiently write the copy that gets them paid.

One writer shares year-end numbers- how much money can you make solely as a freelance writer and editor? How many hours does this require? If you're wondering if freelance writing is really a viable career, this may be the best palce to look.

Study your craft and get inside tips with these magazines. Each photo is linked to a profile of the magazine, and each profile features and editor interview.

What's the best writing gift you've ever got?

Find the perfect gifts for writers and readers here! We've collected 15 great ideas with photos and links, making your shopping that much easier. Happy giving!

A review of Nava Atlas' The Literary Ladies: Guide to the Writing Life, a "celebration" of 12 notable women writers, including Anais Nin, Madeline L'Engle, Virginia Woolf and Edith Wharton.

My number one enemy in establishing my freelance business is distractions. Is there any true way to curb distractions?

A reader asks about the pros and cons of taking on international freelance writing clients.

Review of "Market Your Freelance Writing in 31 Days", an ebook by Thursday Bram.

Those looking for home work (to work at home) often ask if they should try freelance writing. Is freelance writing a legitimate opportunity in home work?

Freelance writers and other work at home contractors often experience a massive interruption to their work flow from November to January. Here is how to prep for the holidays, and be proactive about the season, specifically for writers.

Profile of Poets & Writers magazine

As freelance writers, we know it's important to know what's going on and stay informed about the world (or at least in our niche)- but how do we fit more of ANYTHING into our day? Check out these 3 easy ways to stay informed in your freelance writing niche.

Profile of Writer's Digest magazine, including an interview with editor Jessica Strawser.

Profile of The Writer magazine, including an interview with editor Ron Kovach.

Profile of Writers' Journal magazine, along with an interview of editor Leon Ogroske.

Get your freelance writing career started with the pros!

A review of Michelle Goodman's sophomore follow up to "The Anti 9-5"- Goodman's "My So-Called Freelance Life" tells you how to manage the lifestyle now that you've left the cube.

So, you're ready to take the leap for your art? You want to write what YOU want, and still pay the bills? Before you begin, make sure you've got the best foundation to build on. Following are six highly-recommended books for the creative freelance writer.

The number one barrier described by most new and emerging writers is scheduling time to write amidst the pull of other responsibilities. But, finding time to write, like all other endeavors, is a matter of how much you want it.

Do you need a writer's website in order to compete in the freelance writing sphere? Take a look at three pros and three cons of having a writer's website and decide for yourself!

Working at home is a goal for many people, including writers who want to freelance fulltime. But is it really all that great? Take a look at some of the pros and cons of working at home before you turn in that resignation letter!

If you've found a big OOPS! in your recently published piece, you're going to need to do some damage control in order to preserve your reputation, clip and client. Here's how to deal with mistakes in your freelance pieces.

Work at home and fitness don't have to be mutually exclusive. Here are some things to keep in mind as you embark on your work at home career.

Here's some quick and easy ways to make sure procrastination doesn't get the best of you. Meet all your deadlines with no stress.

Whether it's the New Year, the new school year, or simply a new you, there are times when writers tend to start over or re-focus on their writing careers. Here are five ways to give your freelance writing career a fresh start.

Product review of AlphaSmart's laptop/word processor, designed for writers and students on-the-go!

Freelance writers will find Susan Shapiro's book about her journey into the writing world to be telling and entertaining according to this book review. "Only As Good As Your Word" by Susan Shapiro.

Many writers work from a home office, but sometimes working at home isn't as easy as most people think. Take a look at some of these tips for managing your career at home.

What is your favorite writing magazine, and why?

I love writing from my laptop. It gives me the flexibility to leave the house to complete my work if things get crazy, or if I just want a latte and some company. But, about 90% of my writing is from home. So I use my laptop as a desktop. Apparently, that's not the best idea, ergonomically. Read these tips from About guide Chris Adams.

Read About's Guide to Interior Design's tips for setting up a home office on the cheap!

How do you stay informed in your freelance writing niche? Users share some of the best ways they keep up to date in their writing field.

Fellow writers weigh in on the best kind of software for writers.

Ten steps to achieving writing success as a freelance writer.

If you're looking for a book to kick your writing career into high gear, then Christina Katz's Writer's Workout is a must.

If you're going to hire a freelance writer- or a team of them- there are some very important things to keep in mind. This article is based on an experience I had that could have went negative very quickly.