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Freelance writers need self-discipline because the word "free" has connotations of being easy, doing what you want when you want and of earning pennies as a result.

Although writing is a passion for many people, a hobby or a pleasure, it is also a skill and a business. Freelance writing is a commitment, an industry, a job, a profession. Just as leaving your home to go to external employment requires self-discipline to be able to get there on time, meet task deadlines and customer service needs, so too does freelance writing.

Many part-time writers spend hours searching down competitions or paces of worth to display their creative writings. There is little financial return on the hours lost to this research. A freelance writer on the other hand will maximize their research time by turning it into payment for focused and targeted pieces of writing. Time spent casually researching is money lost for the self-disciplined freelance writer.

Enjoying the privilege of working from home becomes seductive and flirtatious. Without self-discipline and a cognitive framework of "I'm in work mode," the allure of the long telephone chat, the trip out with friends for coffee, and the opportunity for a rest on the bed with the latest magazine becomes bigger than the writer's work ethic.

Freelance writing self-discipline proves itself by following work place rules and personal ethics. Here are some "how-to," self-discipline tips:

1. Step up a dedicated working site. I have two writing spots. One is a workstation and the other is a comfortable and welcoming corner that invites me to write creatively.

2. Set writing work times. I arise early to do creative writing but my 8.30am I am at my workstation and writing for my freelance living.

3. Tell people that you are working. When I first started freelancing, I would receive never-ending daytime social invitations. Nowadays, when the telephone dares to interrupt me, I refuse the invitations by politely explaining that I am working, that I have a deadline to meet, but that I would be available to play on the weekend.

4. Complete set tasks prior to researching new ones. Just as you would do at employment places outside of the home, finish the task. Shoddy workmanship in the workplace requires supervision to bring the employee up to an acceptable standard. Promotion or bonuses remain elusive until standard improves and exceeds expectations. Setting your own standard of work completion brings the freelance writer with a bonus of seeking new markets

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