The word "freelancer" was coined by Sir Walter Scott in Ivanhoe, where he used the term to describe a medieval mercenary warrior. Since writing has sometimes been compared to a battlefield, it seems appropriate that freelancer is is often applied to those who wield a pen.

Most writers and writer wannabees begin as freelancers. One must pay one's dues before entering the club, so to speak. Some writers prefer to stay freelance for the freedom it offers. No long-term commitment of any one employer, subject or genre. For the writer just entering the field, here are some helpful hints:

1. Buy a writer's guidebook for the current year. Two of the most popular are The Writer's Market and The Writer's Digest. Not only do these books name all the publishing markets, they offer articles to enhance writing skills, hints on how to break into the market and the nuances of writing for different genres and markets. Of course writers write because "they must", but they also write to sell. A marketplace guide is a must.

2. Learn to write "on the run" e.g., while doing other things. Most freelancers can not support themselves by writing, at least at first, therefore must have other jobs. That makes time to write a precious commodity. It is a myth that writing must be done in huge time blocks. Once can research and jot notes in five to ten minute spans. Paragraphs can be written on breaks, while stuck in traffic, even commuting. (Tape recorders or memo machines are handy there.) If one can't actually put pen to paper, use the time to listen and observe the people and the world around. Mentally record conversations, identify hot topics, listen to opinions. Awake time is not the only time to write either! Using one's dreams as fiction plots can even make use of sleep time! Keep paper and pen by the bedside.

3. Get organized and stay that way. Develop a good filing system for research, deadlines, works in progress and works submitted. As for the latter, keep careful records of what has been sent to whom and when. Don't risk embarrassment of duplicate material to the same editor!

4. Keep writing and expand your territories. Web sites like Helium provide wonderful and relatively painless opportunities to research and write about subjects previously unexplored by one. Furthermore, there is opportunity to write and write and write. This kind of writing helps to overcome writer's block, helps to maintain the discipline of writing on a schedule and provides feedback in terms of rating.

5. Stay encouraged, no matter how many rejects. Great writers often talk of the 1000s of rejections they got before finally gaining acceptance. Stephen King tells how he papered the walls of his study with rejection slips. Take a moment to grieve a rejection, then pick up your ego and start again.

6. Some things are so basic it seems they shouldn't need to be said. But they need to be said: Check, double check and triple check grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. Get yourself helpful equipment-a good word processor or word processing software. Back up your work, often. Use extra floppies, CDs, flash drives or whatever.

7. When you finish, don't quit. Keep your piece and go over it again after a few day's rest. Commit to making it a little bit better before sending it off. Nathaniel Hawthorne said, "Easy reading is d... hard writing!" Every freelancer knows he's right!

Learn more about this author, Martha Leonard.
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