One of the best ways to hone your own writing is to read other authors you admire. If you know that you need to improve your pacing, read short fiction anthologies like the Book of Final Flesh or Voices from the Web 2006. Dialogue? Read screenplays like Gladiator Screenplay, plays like A Streetcar Named Desire or comic books like Marvel’s Civil War. If you’re interested in technical writing or business writing, read free annual reports for companies listed on Nasdaq, computer program instructions from Microsoft or Open Office, or even appliance booklets. By analyzing other writer’s works, you can infuse your writing with great techniques and stretch your writing muscles.
Freelance Writing Tip #5: Avoid Flame Wars
Online blogs, forums, journals, emails, etc. are a great tool for freelance writers to communicate with the outside world. Unfortunately, because people are disconnected from face-to-face contact, conversations (and egos) can very easily get out-of-control. Everything you say online has the potential to be copied, saved and emailed to some else. Remember this when you’re looking for work and networking; a strong sense of professionalism is key.
Freelance Writing Tip #4: Money Flows to the Writer
There are several publishers, agents, and other folk out there who claim to “get you published” if you pay them “x” amount of dollars. Writer Beware! As a creator, money is always supposed to flow toward the writer—not the other way around. So use your common sense; if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you’re still interested, it can’t hurt to do a little more checking to see whether or not that business is on the up-and-up. Regardless, you should never have to pay someone else for the work you do.
Freelance Writing Tip #3: Estimate Your Word Count
Many publications will either pay you by the word or by the page; one formatted page is equivalent to about 500 words. Figure out how many words you can realistically write in an hour, a typical week, or a month. There are several free word count meters available for you to use to help you determine what your limits are.
Freelance Writing Tip #2: Know What You Want
Regardless of whether or not you’ve been writing for 5 weeks or 50 years, knowing what you want is essential to freelance writing—especially in today’s market. Get an idea of what you want by talking to other writers and listening to their stories; read, read, read several different types of publications, books and webzines so you can get an idea of what you’d be interested in writing.