Do You Really Want To Work At Home?

Today, working at home seems to be the great pursuit, for writers and other professions alike. But is it really all that? Are the challenges worth the effort? Let's take a look.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that over 20 million people worked from home in the U.S. in 2006. Of approximately 300,000 writers and editors covered by the BLS reports, about 1/3 of those were self-employed, presumably working from a home office. As Americans watch transportation costs soar, and writers watch the internet expand, the lure of the home office follows along.

But, working at home isn't for everyone. Writers in particular will find challenges such as isolation and client-hunting to be exhausting and a detriment to hours spent on their art. Those who rush into this without solid preparation may find themselves back in a cube sooner than they anticipated.