Why Would Anyone Want to be a Freelance Writer?

The knight on a white horse: Why not become a freelance writer?

As early as 1820 AD, the word freelance was used to depict a knight or a roving soldier who could be hired by a state or a commander. In the year 1901 AD, the word freelance or freelancer was depicted in terms of writing and submitting written works for publication. (1)

"I don't fight; I write."

The freelancer or freelance writer is an independent thinker and writer, who writes professionally for others and may get paid on a contractual basis.

Why would anyone want to be a freelance writer?

Consider a few of these possible reasons.

There is an increasing demand for freelance writers in our era, particularly for those with good computer skills, as more and more companies and organizations want to advertise on the Internet. Many individuals want to publish their own works, but simply do not know how to do that. They may hire an independent freelancer as an internet writer to do that for them.

Many people remain academically challenged and are not able to write. Sometimes, others do not write well enough and thus employing a freelance writer is an excellent way to solve that problem.

It has often been said, "The pen is mightier than the sword."

What cannot be accomplished on an open battlefield, can often be achieved in writing and presents an opportunity or challenge for the freelance writer. This is particularly true with respect to global concerns.

Writing is an art form and a freelancer often depicts with words, what an artist is able to portray in a picture. There is a high degree of personal satisfaction in self-expression through writing. Freelancers may write because they love to write and know that they can. "I write for sheer delight!"

Freelance writing can present an exciting opportunity for a person to expand his or her literary horizon, particularly if he or she enjoys doing research.

We live in a rapidly changing world. Freelancers can capture change by writing about what is happening in our world, on a day basis, for newspapers and television stations.

By nature, everyone has a competitive spirit.

"Anything you can write, I can write better."

Many freelancers are able to express what needs to be said, in a far better way than the majority of people, because they write regularly.

The literary world continues to grow in leaps and bounds and thus, there is always a need to be met. It is like a huge, black bear that is forever growling, demanding to be fed.

Can the world keep up? The availability of a freelance writer or the possibility of hiring a freelancer, offers a solution to the feed the literary-hungry syndrome.

The desire for more suitable employment or a need for job satisfaction, can be good reasons for a freelancer to write for a living. Working as an independent writer may allow more freedom and personal satisfaction than regular employment.

When people do try to write, many times what they have written or how it has been written, is not appropriate for publication. It may need correction, organization or content change. A freelance writer is able to do the necessary revisions.

A freelance writer may simply choose to be a freelance writer. In other words, he or she might state, "I can be what I want to be and I am a freelance writer!"

Some freelance writers will write to help others. In helping others, they find that they too are helped. This may be based upon a personal belief system, ie. the love of God and humankind.

An opportunity to travel is often part of a freelance writer's task. Most freelance writers love to travel, see the world, journal events or interview new people, particularly when the cost of traveling is covered for them.

Sometimes it can be frustrating for a writer to get his or her work published, but freelance writing allows an opportunity for portfolio building, as well as possible publication, in the future.

Many people do not have time to write speeches for special event. Hiring a freelance writer to do that for them is more appropriate.

These are just some of the reasons that someone might think seriously about becoming a freelance writer.

The bottom line is "Why not be a knight on a white horse?"

(1) Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Inc., Springfield, MA, 1983