Highly Successful Freelance Writer - An Interview

I recently had the privilege of interviewing a good friend of mine who happens to be a freelance writer. I changed his name to Jeremy to protect his identity. The following is the interview.

So, Jeremy. How many projects do you work on at any given time?

I can work on up to 30 different projects at a time. Although I try to keep it between 15 and 20. I write for major magazines, local newspapers, and different online media outlets. Any more than 30 and I start to lose focus.

What's been your average income over the last three years?

I probably average about $100,000 to $125,000 per year. When I started five years ago, I made $18,000 my first year. So, I've come a long way. Many people think that successful writers just happen. They don't. Trust me, I've never worked harder in my life.

What's you're writing process?

I write best in the morning, so I get up fairly early sometimes before 5 a.m. I work until about 8 a.m. at which point I go for a walk or do something other than writing. I always try to finish a main point or something that gives me a sense of finality to what I'm doing before I go on break. If I step away from writing, and I haven't finished my thoughts, then I think about writing, when I'm supposed to be taking a break. I ususally come back about 9, take a late lunch and work until 5 or 6 in the afternoon.

How do you manage so many projects at once?

I consider myself super organized. The pieces I write are from 500 to 1000 words so they're not large. Which is why I take on so many assignments at a time. It's really the volume of work that's my bread and butter not necessarily the work itself.

I write a lot of articles for my online business. What would you recommend to new or aspiring writers?

I know it sounds cliché but it's important that you write as much as possible. I write for a living so it's what I think about most of the day. But if you have another business, writing isn't going to be at the top your list. But I know that writing is an easy way to get your message out. I also recommend that you try to do your writing in one sitting. If you're trying to ride while you're doing for five other things at the same time, your quality and your quantity will suffer.

Do you have any resources you can recommend to help us new writers?

I don't necessarily have any resources. A lot of people think they need the latest computer or the latest software to be able to write. Sometimes I do my best writing with a notepad and pen sitting in a poorly lit corner of a local coffee shop.get yourself a calendar or an organizer and block out a few hours every day and dedicate that time to writing. It shouldn't be too hard because you are going to be writing about your business. I'm assuming that if you're passionate about your business that you be passionate about your writing.

Thanks Jeremy. Do you have any closing thoughts?

stay focused. Keep writing. And don't give up. Most people who try to write and then give up don't realize that all writers struggle. Like anything else, you have to put in the time to make it work.