Comments on: Feast or Famine: The Freelance Lifestyle http://www.therenegadewriter.com/2009/07/16/feast-or-famine-the-freelance-lifestyle/ Living and loving the freelance life—on your own terms. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:46:01 +0000 hourly 1 By: Jackie http://www.therenegadewriter.com/2009/07/16/feast-or-famine-the-freelance-lifestyle/comment-page-1/#comment-151943 Jackie Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:09:40 +0000 http://therenegadewriter.com/?p=1248#comment-151943 I rely on freelancing for my sole income as well, for over the last five years. There are up and down periods. But I agree that like Linda, I know they won't last long. With me, they usually last a couple of days at most. During those days of not much to do I take the time to relax, learn, read, get out and do things... I know that within a few days a lot of work will come in at once and I will be buried in assignments. It always happens that way. The down periods are the perfect time for writing up more queries, book proposals, blog posts, finding new markets, sprucing up your Web site, etc. In the end, it all evens out monitarily. I rely on freelancing for my sole income as well, for over the last five years. There are up and down periods. But I agree that like Linda, I know they won’t last long. With me, they usually last a couple of days at most. During those days of not much to do I take the time to relax, learn, read, get out and do things… I know that within a few days a lot of work will come in at once and I will be buried in assignments. It always happens that way. The down periods are the perfect time for writing up more queries, book proposals, blog posts, finding new markets, sprucing up your Web site, etc. In the end, it all evens out monitarily.

]]> By: Mary http://www.therenegadewriter.com/2009/07/16/feast-or-famine-the-freelance-lifestyle/comment-page-1/#comment-151437 Mary Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:13:15 +0000 http://therenegadewriter.com/?p=1248#comment-151437 You know, Linda, sounds to me as if that famine after bringing your baby home was just what you needed. I do believe things happen for a reason. Thanks for sharing your experience. I do think freelancing will be well worth the uncertainty and am always inspired by your posts. You know, Linda, sounds to me as if that famine after bringing your baby home was just what you needed. I do believe things happen for a reason. Thanks for sharing your experience. I do think freelancing will be well worth the uncertainty and am always inspired by your posts.

]]> By: LindaFormichelli http://www.therenegadewriter.com/2009/07/16/feast-or-famine-the-freelance-lifestyle/comment-page-1/#comment-151169 LindaFormichelli Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:52:26 +0000 http://therenegadewriter.com/?p=1248#comment-151169 Star: My husband is a part-time freelance writer and stay at home dad, and I'm a full-time freelance writer. So we both get the feast or famine! Star: My husband is a part-time freelance writer and stay at home dad, and I’m a full-time freelance writer. So we both get the feast or famine!

]]> By: Star http://www.therenegadewriter.com/2009/07/16/feast-or-famine-the-freelance-lifestyle/comment-page-1/#comment-151164 Star Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:12:55 +0000 http://therenegadewriter.com/?p=1248#comment-151164 When you say "we" save money--do you have two incomes over there? That helps with saving! When you say “we” save money–do you have two incomes over there? That helps with saving!

]]> By: Diane http://www.therenegadewriter.com/2009/07/16/feast-or-famine-the-freelance-lifestyle/comment-page-1/#comment-151157 Diane Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:42:09 +0000 http://therenegadewriter.com/?p=1248#comment-151157 I haven't found any ways to deal with it, and in fact it's taught me that after I graduate (I am going back to university this September, and will get more in loans than I've earned in the last year - I can't wait for the regular income! How sad is that?) I want an office job. The boredom of commuting and the 9-5 lifestyle are worth it for financial security: I'm in so much debt right now it cripples my creativity. Having said that, in famine times (hello, 2009!) I try to work on my own stuff (book proposals, personal essays, memoir etc- you can do a lot without being commissioned, and I've sometimes been able to sell stuff on spec). It's hard to motivate myself though, and I consider full-time freelancing to be one of the worst decisions I've ever made. It's only thanks to my parents and my credit cards that I've gotten by. My health situation precludes me from getting a job at Starbucks or somewhere, but otherwise I'd be first in line to sign up. Roll on September! I haven’t found any ways to deal with it, and in fact it’s taught me that after I graduate (I am going back to university this September, and will get more in loans than I’ve earned in the last year – I can’t wait for the regular income! How sad is that?) I want an office job.

The boredom of commuting and the 9-5 lifestyle are worth it for financial security: I’m in so much debt right now it cripples my creativity. Having said that, in famine times (hello, 2009!) I try to work on my own stuff (book proposals, personal essays, memoir etc- you can do a lot without being commissioned, and I’ve sometimes been able to sell stuff on spec). It’s hard to motivate myself though, and I consider full-time freelancing to be one of the worst decisions I’ve ever made. It’s only thanks to my parents and my credit cards that I’ve gotten by. My health situation precludes me from getting a job at Starbucks or somewhere, but otherwise I’d be first in line to sign up. Roll on September!

]]>