by Doreen Martel

Created on: March 03, 2010

If you talk to some freelance writers that you know, and even more importantly to their friends, you might be amazed at the number of myths about freelance writing. There is a sense among many when you state that you are a "freelance writer" that you're sitting by your telephone waiting for it to ring. The other preconception is that you're rushing to the mailbox every day looking for acceptance letters. These are just two of the most common freelance writing myths. Here are some of the other top myths about freelance writing.

All freelance writers work for magazines and newspapers

Nothing could be further from the truth. Hundreds of freelance writers work developing web content, articles, and blogs. One of the advantages of being a freelance writer is the variety of jobs that you can obtain. While there certainly are magazines and newspapers that utilize freelance writers, most of them depend on "staff writers".

If you have a computer you can be a freelance writer

This is perhaps one of the most outrageous top myths about freelance writing. The idea that anyone who can type can be a freelance writer is similar to suggesting that a butcher can be a brain surgeon. In addition to strong typing skills, you must have equally strong research skills, spelling skills, and good grammar. The other qualities that make a good freelance writer include dedication, patience, and a firm commitment to being the best in their trade.

Freelance writers don't work hard

One top myth about freelance writing is that freelance writers do not work hard. Make no mistake about it, freelance writing is work and it is hard work. Stop and consider how difficult it is to sit down day after day and write between 5,000 and 10,000 words a day on subjects that you may not be totally familiar with. Freelance writers spent many hours researching topics that they have little familiarity with. This is what enables them to be successful in their craft.

Once established freelance writers have all the work they need

Although many freelance writers have a steady stream of work, this is usually as a result of nurturing long-term relationships. This is especially true for freelance writers who specialize in web content versus article writing. If you stop and consider how many articles are "too many" for one client, it is easy to see how providing articles can be a time-limited assignment. Although blog writers and web content providers may have fairly steady work,  this doesn't mean, that freelance writers will not have downtime.

Summary

Don't believe these top myths about freelance writing. There are several others but these are some of the most prevalent. Freelance writers work hard for the money they make, the hours are often unusual as well as long, and it iss certainly not work that everyone is cut out for or capable of doing.

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