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Writers' and
Publishers' Forum
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Freelance Writing – A Career From AnywhereBy Gary McLaren © Copyright 2003 An island in the Mediterranean. A beach in Africa. The east coast of New Zealand. What do these locations have in common? A recent call for assistance from freelance writers elicited replies from every one of these locations. In these and in many other remote places, I know of writers who are freelancing successfully. Indeed it is possible for freelance writers to work from anywhere. I know this from my own experience. As the editor of a web site for writers, I publish a newsletter that goes out by email to thousands of subscribers around the world. For one particular issue in 2002 I started planning in the heat and humidity of Hong Kong. When the first draft came together I was in Indianapolis, United States. And by the time I completed the final copy and pushed the send button I was at a lakeside cottage in Ontario, Canada, with snow lightly falling outside. Maybe you are interested in a freelance writing career but you worry whether you live in a suitable location. Well, think again. Freelance writing is a job you can do from anywhere. True, if your home is near New York's editorial offices you may be able to use your proximity to advantage. But many freelance writers are working successfully from distant locations, and in many cases enjoying a far better lifestyle. Take Ron Irwin, for example. An American, Ron freelances from a small house on the beach in Cape Town, South Africa. The majority of his work is for North American markets. Or consider Vella Corinne, a native of Malta in the center of the Mediterranean Sea. From this island steeped in history - the Order of St John was based here and the temples are thought to be older than the pyramids - she writes travel and lifestyle features. Writers in these locations, far from being at a serious disadvantage, can actually enjoy many benefits. For a start, these writers are in an excellent position to write about their own locations, people and cultures. Also, the living costs are usually far less expensive than in major cities. And then there is the fresh, clean air and more peaceful environment. Vella reveals how she enjoys the warmer days: "Once I pack up my computer, I just head to the beach. Distances are short and, the island being small, I'm always close to the center of whatever's happening here. I can control my own time in a way that I could not if I lived in a busy city." Twenty years ago writers in remote locations could be frustrated by the slowness of communicating with editors on the other side of the world. It would always take months to receive a reply from an editor. Waiting for a response was about as exciting as watching grass grow! In recent years the availability of the Internet has made it easier than ever before for freelancers to communicate almost instantly with anyone, anywhere in the world. In my own example above I traveled through several countries and managed to conduct my freelance work at the same time. Many of my clients didn't even know I was 'on the move'. They did not know that as well as communicating with them via email I was fishing in the lake and hiking through the woods. And do you know the best part? While I was traveling my web site was hard at work, day and night. Even during my flight at thirty thousand feet, taking a nap, I sold a bunch of writing-related products. Now if that isn't a freelancer's dream becoming reality, I don't know what is! Such accomplishments were definitely not so attainable before the advent of email and the Internet. Kathy Crockett freelances from Gisborne, New Zealand, on the east coast of the North Island. She commented to me on the difference technology makes to her. "It's a city of 35,000", she explains, "the closest to the international dateline, and the first city in the world to see the sun each day. Its closest city-size neighbors are three hours drive on windy roads...the internet, mobile phones...technology lets me be wherever I want to be... and fool others into thinking I'm where they'd like me to be!" Of course working remotely is not always easy and there are a number of challenges that writers typically face. Isolation is a common issue. Vella explained, "At times it feels like I have a totally atomized existence. I balance that by scheduling some 'face time' each day". I agree with her. It is important to schedule time to spend with family, friends, or other writers. Another challenge may be difficulties with technology. Finding a PC repair shop may be next to impossible. Internet access may be unavailable or unreliable. There are many places in the world that don't even have telephone lines yet, not to mention email access. You can still work as a freelance writer from these locations, but it will not be as convenient. . So check the technology ahead of time if you plan to work during your next vacation. Duirng my trip, I received quite a surprise. There was no telephone line or email access in the cottage. My initial panic subsided when I discovered a telephone not too far away. In freezing temperatures, I trudged up the road. When I pushed the button to send out my newsletter my notebook computer was plugged into a payphone. Are writers in remote locations at a serious disadvantage? No way! I am sold on the concept that you can work as a freelance writer from anywhere. Although you will face some challenges, none of them will be insurmountable. So if you're looking for a career you can do from anywhere, look no further. The writers I referred to are working successfully right where they are. And so can you. Open up your notebook. Start writing. Begin to build a rewarding career as a freelance writer today. Gary McLaren is the editor of Worldwide Freelance Writer
and lives in
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