As much as we freelancers like to argue about what makes a writer successful, one thing we all have in common is that we each have a dream. We might not share the same hopes or have the same ambitions to making our fantasies become realities, but we all seem to wish for that one perfect gig. What is yours?
Recently, Deb at Freelance Writing Jobs asked the question, “if you were offered full time work would you take it?” I was surprised to read how many freelance writers there responded that yes, they would take full time telecommuting work if the perfect opportunity came along. I felt a bit like the minority, having recently been offered full time work from my favorite client and having turned it down.
I’m not cut out for full-time. I get bored too easily to spend eight hours a day doing just one thing. I like being able to take frequent breaks to blogsurf, go for walks, play with the rabbits, write at my own blogs, etc. If I was on a full time salary or hourly pay, I would feel tied down and feel guilty for taking those frequent breaks, even though they make me more productive. But an equal motivator is that I earn about three times more not working on an hourly/salary basis. So while a full time telecommuting writing job might be some people’s dream gig, it isn’t mine.
I hear freelance writers allude to their dream jobs often, and I feel lucky to have already found my own perfect gigs. I work part time for two law firms doing web writing and blogging work. I enjoy the work I do. Both firms treat me very well, pay on time and pay well. I write about topics I’m passionate about, including food safety and product liability. I’m constantly learning, and I feel like my skills are being put to good use. Between these two clients, both of which I work for on a daily basis, and other freelance projects here and there, plus a bit of volunteer writing for charities I support, I feel pretty well-rounded and very satisfied in what I do. I really couldn’t ask for a better gig. No one client could swoop in and steal me away, for any amount of money.
So, what about you? What’s your dream gig? Are you already living your dream, or are you still searching?
{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
My dream gig would be doing what I’m doing now, but making money.
Writer Dad’s last blog post..A Breath of Fresh Air
More or less I’m living my dream - I just want a little more income (okay a lot more, but I’ll be happy with a little more). I teach English a few hours a week to plug into the Spanish healthcare system. I write scripts, worksheets and ebooks for an organizing website, I work on my fiction, and I’m about to launch an online course - all while choosing the hours I do it in.
So no, I would not take a full-time telecommute job. I’m quite happy the way things are going right now, thanks!
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post..Are You a Pooh-Bear? Full Text Answers
My dream gig?
Creating products, blogging and the occasional 5-figure speaking engagement.
On my way there …
@Dave
Right there with you!
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post..Insecure People are Self-Absorbed and Egotistical
Writer Dad — By what you do now, do you mean blogging?
Dave — One thing I hate doing is speaking. I’ve done presentations for lawyers on blogging, and I do ok with a power point, but that seems to be my limit for now.
What products have you created? I recall an early riser ebook…
Alex — Teaching English sounds fun, as do the online course and ebooks. What sort of fiction do you write?
I love the non-fiction writing that I’m doing over at Disaboom.com. I’d like to do more of that on a steady basis with a six-figure income. Is that too much to ask?
Karen Putz’s last blog post..Dave Freeman–A Man Halfway to His Goal
My dream job is to combine my writing with Life Coaching and motivational speaking, workshops and other public speaking engagements.
I’ll tell you what Amy. We live right by each other. I’ll do your public speaking work for you…no problem…30 plus years experience on stage and public speaking.
Wendi Kelly - Life’s Little Inspirations’s last blog post..Wide-Eyed Walking
I would like to become a regular freelance writer for national publications (Essence, Ebony, Redbook, Prevention, etc.) Now all I need to do is give myself a push and submit queries and ideas on a daily/weekly basis.
Valencia’s last blog post..5 Small Town Business Ideas
Amy,
My dream is to grow the business I’ve got, so that I’d be certain it will live beyond me at the helm. So I think I echo everyone here—more revenues=more freedom. And I love speaking and teaching. I hope that I can fit more of that in to my last three minutes of spare time. First I have to figure out where I put them….
Regards,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Happy Small Business Friday: The Merriment Post
Karen — I was reading some of your articles at Disaboom. That looks like a great gig. 6 figure too much to ask? Nah…
Wendi — Where do you live? And do you like to travel? Most of the people who want me to speak are either west coast or NY.
Valencia — Essence would be a fun mag to write for! Have you ever done the query challenge at InkThinker?
Kelly — You have a whole three minutes? Why, I’m shocked…
Amy,
I am in Chicago burbs. And yep traveling is no problem
Wendi Kelly - Life’s Little Inspirations’s last blog post..Wide-Eyed Walking
Well, howdy neighbor. I believe a stalking may be in order.
I’m already living my dream. I’m a channel (like a psychic only better) and writer. I get paid to do the two things I love. But making that leap from security/safety into “the dream” isn’t easy for people. It’s complicated and brings up fears, and most people would rather not deal with that, or feel they can’t.
New Age Bitch’s last blog post..I’m not a Buddhist. I kill stuff. So sue me.
Re your post in FWJ: Mariella — Where have you been?? I’ve missed you and your hearts. (I already forgot how to make them.)
Hey Amy! I’m lovin’ the look of your blog! So glad I found it. Anyhow, I’ve been ailing from back problems in the recent months, and found that I can only endure sitting in front of the computer for so long.
I’m looking to getting re-acquainted with other writers and perhaps update my writing blog every once in a while now. ♥
Mariella’s last blog post..Mariella Moon, Problogger for Hire
YAY MARIELLA!!! [insert jumping up and down here]
I just emailed you, but just to do the hearts ♥ ♥ I had to come respond here too.
Thanks about the blog. I’m glad you like it.
Happy you’re back in blogland.
Bitch — Channel, eh? I am going to have to better blogstalk you so as to learn more about this.
You said: “It’s complicated and brings up fears, and most people would rather not deal with that, or feel they can’t.” So so true. Sad but true. We humans are pretty challenged, for upright walking beasties.
@Amy> Thanks! =D Happy to see the ♥ too!
Mariella’s last blog post..Mariella Moon, Problogger for Hire
Hmmm…. I wouldn’t want the full-time thing either. I have so many different ideas, dreams, and passions, I need to hop around every day - maybe I’m a bunny!
Anyway, my dream gig? I think it would be writing a little of this and a little of that about things I’m wholeheartedly passionate about - while earning enough to be able to “unplug” every now and then and feel good about it. I’d also love the make time and pull my thoughts together for the juicing e-book(s), get finished, and have them flying off cyber shelves… Maybe I need one of those long Santa scroll things. My list could go on! Nah, just to earn more doing what I’m already doing. 
*smiles*
Michele
Michele’s last blog post..Freelance Writing: Writers on the Cyber Highway
Ugh… I’d also love to make time… - not “the” make time…
*sigh*
Michele’s last blog post..Freelance Writing: Writers on the Cyber Highway
I don’t think I’d take a full-time telecommuting gig either. I enjoy the variety and comprehensiveness that multiple clients can bring to the picture.
In terms of my dream gig (not necessarily my dream job), I’d like to write feature articles for prominent print magazines in my niches of interest, like video games and mobile technology. I already write on these topics on a product review and blogging basis, but writing for a national (international?) print mag is a different beast altogether.
Michael Kwan’s last blog post..Nominate Me for Best Writing Blog
I already spend my days working pretty much full-time for one person as an independent contractor. I would like to bring in part-time work writing press releases so I can balance out my income. I don’t make enough to live on my own with a daughter, I would like to see my income reach a point where I could actually have my own car, get out of my mother’s house and be generally happy.
The thing is, I would not give up my current position in a million years. It would take some darn good pay. He’s a great guy, he pays me and he has given me extra tasks in the past just because I offered myself for more work if he had a need for me. I went from being paid a flat per-task fee to getting a more hourly wage and it has been great.
Another benefit of doing what I do is that I’ve learned so much about the business world and nothing could replace the knowledge I have gained about becoming an entrepreneur and being a work at home mom. Never thought I would be someone to like the business world so much.
If you every feel like sending some work my way…
Teasing!
@Amy
I write mainly Young Adult fantasy - I recently had a short story published in Reflection’s Edge ( http://www.reflectionsedge.com/archives/jun2008/tsos_aff.html ) and I’m shopping around a novel - know of any publishers that represent YA? Someone asked me via Twitter the other day what the novel was about and I rose to the challenge, summarizing the novel in 140 characters…
It’s a YA paranormal romance about a cursed-to-be-boring girl whose fairy life-coach throws her into the chaotic world of celebrity blogging
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post..Insecure People are Self-Absorbed and Egotistical
Amy, what a great question and I am so enjoying the answers. I love what I do but my dream gig, um no gig at all! Lol! I am working on not having to work. I would love the pleasure of traveling and writing books at my leisure. Hmm, the JK Rowling gig I guess is filled but sort of like that, except I don’t even need that much money!
I’d love to have an equal balance of opportunities to write about my too areas of (growing) expertise: disability issues and psychological issues pertaining to children and adolescents. Someday I’d like to try my hand at nonfiction—I love the work of Jodi Picoult and would enjoy the research she puts into her books as well as the communications she does with readers.
Kara’s last blog post..And the award for worst Paralympic promotional video goes to…
oaf…two NOT too in my post..how embarrassing! LOL!
Michele — I think your juicing ebook is a GREAT idea. I hope you have time to do that soon.
Michael — I enjoy the variety too. Writing for print mags on video games would surely be interesting! I assume there would also be a fairly big market for those types of articles in print/national mags. I’ve never gotten into print magazine writing myself, aside from occasionally ghostwriting one for a client. Maybe one day… As a former video game addict (seriously), I would be afraid to try that niche myself. LOL
Angel — Have you ever talked to Phil who comments regularly at freelancewritinggigs.com? He is a press release writer and makes a good income at it. He also lives near me, which makes him very cool in my book (plus he’s nice). I need to learn to write better press releases… I would be happy to throw work your way if I ever get anything suitable.
Alex — Young Adult fantasy sounds exciting!! The only author I know who fits the bill is Canadian author Charles de Lint. He writes mainly adult fantasy, but he has a few in the YA section. I wonder where he is published…. Now I’m excited to go read your story.
(P.S. summarizing in 140 characters. Yikes. Wonder when query letters will come to that??)
Karen — Thanks. I am enjoying reading the answers too!! I am always curious about what everyone writes vs what they WANT to be writing, so I figured I’d ask all in one place.
And of course, this non-work, all play thing sounds good… Care to share how you plan to make that work? 
Kara — Jodi Picoult rocks!! It sounds like you have a very solid niche area worked out for yourself. Very exciting. Are you working on web-based writing, print mag writing, or a combo?
Very excited about all the answers here! Thanks again everyone for taking the time to respond and discuss. I’m loving it.
I’ve been doing mostly web-based writing but have had a couple of print magazine articles in disability magazines this year as well. I’m thinking of expanding my market to mainstream parenting outlets as well…My work and most of my clinical research has been with kids withOUT disabilities so I figure I might as well write about their issues as well:-)
Jodi is phenomenal! She consulted with me for a character in her 2009 book and she’s an amazing person. She does so much research for her books. I was honored to help because I’ve admired her writing skills for years.
Alex: are you kidding me?? You write fantasy? And YA stuff?? And you want to get published? I MUST read your story! That’s what EditQuest is all about!!
Speaking of EditQuest, that’s my dream job. I’m creating it. And I want to do it full-time. Believe it or not, I’m happiest when I’m very busy. So to be specific, my dream job would be editing fantasy novels and stories full-time and guiding authors on their quest to being published. If I can be a “light in dark places, when all other lights go out,” I will have accomplished my goal.
PS. Amy - every time I come here, there’s something different. I love the changes you made! They look cool, and the text is easier to read now, too.
steph’s last blog post..Is It Okay for Me to be Selfish Yet?
Work part-time and make a full-time salary so I can spend more time PTA’ing, volunteering, and torturing my kids because I can spend more time with them
I’m not working at it, but I’d love writing about television shows (TV Guide) and sports. If I could, I’d do tennis four hours a day so I could play in tournaments and win!
Meryl K. Evans’s last blog post..Links: 2008-08-29
@steph
Once mt blog starts making me money, I’ll be able to afford an editor - I can’t wait to see EditQuest
@Amy
I *love* Charles de Lint - I devour his books when they come out…
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post..Insecure People are Self-Absorbed and Egotistical
Alex: I understand.
If you ever want a quote, just to see approx. what you need to have, send me an email. I also do payment plans for those who need them. Not to say you have to choose me, when you’re ready, but just to let you know that option’s available. Others may offer it as well.
Heh. I can’t wait to see EditQuest, too!!
steph’s last blog post..Back in the Saddle
Kara — That is SO exciting!! And I would love to read your articles sometime, if you have any online.
Steph — You and Alex would be a GREAT match.
And I’m so glad you like the new design. I did feel like I was going blind on the old one. I’m still feeling like the background on here is too much, but so many people have said they like it that I’ve left it. I get bored easily. 
Alex — I am a Charles de Lint FREAK. I am not usually a big fantasy fan, but I LOVE his work. He is my favorite author!!
Meryl — A tennis-playing TV guide writer. Nice! I could see you doing that. What sort of writing do you do now?
I have to agree that blogging is a great gig. More money would help.
John Hewitt’s last blog post..Me! Me! Me!
Mostly business, technology, marketing, and web content.
Meryl K. Evans’s last blog post..Links: 2008-08-29
@Amy
Then do you like Terri Windling as well? She normally edits, but did a great book called the WoodWife, which is just fantastic. Hmmm… who else has that same sense of the mythic? One of my favourite novels of all time is Tam Lin by Pamela Dean - it captures the university experience perfectly while mixing it with the story of Tam Lin.
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome’s last blog post..Insecure People are Self-Absorbed and Egotistical
John — Your blog rocks. Do you do well with the indeed job links? I made a pretty decent share of income from those on another blog I used to write (for a client, but I earned a share).
Meryl — So I can see the need to add tennis to the mix.
Alex — I have never read anything by Terri Windling. Haven’t read Tam Lin by Pamela Dean either. I actually have an amazon window opened, so I’m going to browse those now and see if I can find. Yay! Thank you!!
I’m going to browse those too!
Amy: I get bored easily too. I’m always changing my blog…
steph’s last blog post..A New Day, A New Look
Amy, I think you have my dream gig! Full time employment doesn’t sound tempting to me at all, but I’d love to earn enough just working for two or three main clients. That would be ideal!
Melissa Donovan’s last blog post..Don’t Think, Just Write
Steph — Least you wouldn’t get bored editing fantasy novels.
Melissa — I think it’s ideal too, because that way I do have steady work (i.e., don’t have to worry about constantly not knowing where my next paycheck is coming from) and there’s some variety. I had a third part-time steady client and even a forth for a while, but I cut back after the first of the year when I had mono. What sort of writing are you doing now? (Aside from your blog, of course, which I love. :-))
Hi Amy - I don’t think I’d ever like to work for anyone else. I guess my dream is to get this novel finished, get it published and for people to actually read it.
Cath Lawson’s last blog post..The Power Of Blogging For Business Without A Business
Cath — Novel, you say? Oooh. What’s it about?
(I’m SO nosy.)
I just started writing a “Why I can’t just have one job” blog post last night. It’s not done yet, but a sneak peak: I am hoping to be offered a full time position this week (cross your fingers) at which time I will have 5 jobs: the full-timer research gig (hopefully), freelance sports writer, litigation consultant, part-time librarian at two libraries. I scoff at the idea of one job, because frankly I love them all. Five jobs is the ideal number
This kind of schedule keeps me busy, engaged and out of trouble.
Eva G.’s last blog post..Take the good with the bad…
Eva — That’s SO great! Congratulations!! I agree, it’s good to stay busy and out of trouble.
….then again, a little trouble can be quite delightful! :-
Karen — Yes, I like trouble. But only the good kind. LOL
Eva,
Where I live, you can’t get in enough trouble to need five jobs. I’m exhausted just thinking about it.
Until later,
Kelly
Kelly’s last blog post..Summer Is a Great Time to… Get Some Intelligence
Kelly — I’m sure YOU could if you tried.
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