10 Frequently Asked Questions

1) How do I know if I have what it takes to be a writer?
2) What if I have lots of good ideas, but no clue where to begin?
3) What is a genre?
4) What kind of tools or equipment do I need to begin?
5) Can I earn a good living as a freelance writer, and when will I know to give up my day job?
6) Are writers' conferences worth attending?
7) What do I do about the problem of discipline when I don't feel like writing?
8) How do I know if my writing is publishable?
9) When do I need an agent and how does that arrangement work?
10) What if someone steals my idea before I can get it published?

Answers to FAQ:

1) Take the mini-test on this website and see if you can answer "yes" to at least five out of the six questions asked. Bottom line, however, is that if your desire to become a freelance writer is strong enough, and you have the self-discipline and perserverance to stay the course, you can make a living as a freelance writer, doing what you really love. Back to Top

2) Many people have good ideas for a story but don't know where to start. Finding the proper "slant" or "hook" is critical to honing in on a salable idea. So is doing your homework, researching the markets to see what is already in print and how your story will provide fresh insight into your topic. Back to Top

3) A genre is a term used to describe a specific category of book, mostly relating to fiction. For example, there is the "romance" genre, the "mystery" genre, "horror and suspense" genre. Westerns are another category of genre. In nonfiction, genres are biographies, memoirs, inspirational books, historical, etc. Back to Top

4) A quiet place dedicated only to your writing should be a priority, even if it's only a corner in a shared room. Besides a reliable computer with an updated word processing program and Internet access, you will also need a good dictionary, a thesaurus, and a simple filing system to help you keep your work organized. In order to claim deductions, you are required by the IRS to have a separate workspace used only for your writing business. Back to Top

5) It depends on your definition of a good living. Most freelance writers work hard to earn $35,000 - $40,000 a year. The variables are your productivity level, your markets, and your ability to be flexible in terms of the type writing you are willing to do. Most freelancers must be able to write for a variety of clientele in order to maintain a steady income. Back to Top

6) Many writer conferences are very worthwhile. Ask first: What are my particular needs? Check out the agenda and determine if you will get your money's worth through two or more of the offered topics and their speakers. Ask other writers for references on which conferences they find most helpful or check at your local library for current listings. Just don't fall into the trap of attending workshops rather than doing the actual writing. The act of writing itself is what will best hone your skills. Back to Top

7) Professional writers struggle with this problem too. Use the “10-minute plan.” Commit to writing something, anything, for ten minutes. Nine times out of ten you will continue working. If not, try again later in the day. You can also try stacking your unpaid bills on one side of your computer, blank paper on the other. Which stack motivates you to get moving? Back to Top

8) You don't know until you actually submit a piece for publication. But there are ways to increase your chances -- having a unique idea, a salable "slant," a good lead, knowledge of the market you are writing for, and the ability to follow through with a deadline. You can also hire the services of a professional editor to provide you with an objective opinion and help you polish the piece prior to submission. Back to Top

9) You won't need an agent to write for magazines, newspapers, or trade journals. Books are another story. Check the current Writer's Market to see which publishers require that you submit through an agent. Then keep in mind that getting an agent is often a "Catch-22." There are publishers you cannot approach without having first sold material, establishing a track record. Check your local library for agent listings and write a powerful letter to see if that agent is taking new clients. It's a crap shoot to find just the "right" agent but you may get lucky and find one who is new in the business and willing to take on unknown writers. A personal referral to an agent is even better. Back to Top

10) This is a common fear among beginning writers. While there are situations in which a writer's idea appears just after he or she was rejected by a particular publication, it's more likely a matter of timing rather than theft. The publication already had the idea in the works or another writer submitted an idea very similar to yours and got the assignment. Don't spend your time worrying about the unlikelihood your idea will be snatched out from under you. Focus instead on getting your ideas to query, and your writing to publication. Back to Top