My Freelance Writing Journey

Pin It

Like most moms, I juggle multiple projects and tasks. You all know me as Bicultural Mama, and this blog is my “other baby” beside the real one who is now an active toddler. Some of you also know me as the Editor of the Long Island Mamas Network, the NY Motherhood Examiner, an aspiring children’s book writer and a freelance contributor for regional and national websites. All of these things combined make for one busy mama!

Freelancing has provided the flexibility to spend more time with my daughter while pursing a writing career. It can prove challenging though as work coming through the door is often inconsistent. In any given month there could be one assignment, no assignment or too many to handle. The key is to be flexible, work hard and provide good quality. Oh, and save money for those unpredictable slow months.

Several people have asked what kind of freelance work I do. It runs the gamut (this is where flexibility comes into play). One partnership I value is with the Biography Channel. Ever wonder who writes those long biographies on their website? Yep, its people like me. Though writing biographies require much research, plenty of time and writers don’t get a byline, it still provides good experience and builds my writing resume. For those who have wanted to see samples, here are some I’ve written. These people below have led pretty interesting lives, so if you want to read more, click on the person’s name to see his/her biography on Biography.com.

Actresses  

Rachel McAdams – Film actress best known for hits like The Notebook, Mean Girls, Wedding Crashers and The Time Traveler’s Wife.

Amanda Seyfried – Film and television actress best known for her role in films such as Mean Girls, Mamma Mia! and HBO’s Big Love.

English Rock Musicians

Noel Gallagher – Best known as the lead singer of the band Oasis

Richard Ashcroft – Best known as the lead singer of the band The Verve

Graham Coxon – Best known as the guitarist and backup singer for the band Blur

Characters from the Lincoln movie releasing November 2012

Robert Todd Lincoln – Eldest son of President Lincoln

James Mitchell Ashley – U.S. congressman and abolitionist who laid the foundation to pass the 13th Amendment to outlaw slavery

Explorer

Matthew Henson – African American explorer best known as the co-discoverer of the North Pole with Robert E. Peary in 1909

If you freelance write, what advice do you have for other freelancers who are trying to make a career out it?

Photo credit: Freedigitalphotos.net