Ok, I'm sold on freelance writing! But I must admit to some doubt when it comes to making money from my creative endeavors. Is this really a viable form of freelancing for someone who needs to pay the bills?
Well, there is certainly a contingent of creative writers who are well-schooled in this genre (think MFA), and I'm certain they're not starving. However, for the freelance writer entering the creative field from the copy field, I would suggest that you work on a blend of projects in order to scaffold your career.
On any given day, a look through "Writers Market" will show you a general discrepancy between the payment ranges for creative writers submitting to lit journals, and those for journalists and copywriters. This is not necessarily a function of talent, but rather of supply and demand, among other factors. Unless you're the next Pablo Neruda, you're going to make more writing copy for your local corporations then for subbing poetry to University Presses.
However, as with any job, branching out is possible. If short fiction is your passion, patience and training will take you closer to that career. Meanwhile, balance your projects, manage your time wisely, and pursue, pursue, pursue.
