lessons on writing from home, by freelance blogger Amy Derby

There are two topics I rarely engage in debate about: religion and politics. I avoid these controversial topics, because I’ve learned I can’t debate them without losing my temper (and often a friendship) in the process. As such, I avoid blogs on these topics. Logical, yes?

Why, then, am I willing to take time out of my workday to follow discussions on blogs where folks argue relentlessly on the same unresolvable topics ad nauseam — often talking to themselves through a variety-pack of cloaked identities. Sure, rather than talking about religion or politics, they’re talking about low-paying writing jobs, writing for free, or whether or not writer-blogs should contain curse words. But isn’t this just as bad, if not worse?

Why are we willing to play along with these things online, simply because it comes from a blog within our niche? Because we justify it as a career-benefiting learning experience? Because it comes from the mouth (fingers?) of someone everyone else in our field seems to respect?

Or do we just crave controversy?

Has the fact that we’ve trapped ourselves behind computer screens all day, devoid of human interaction, when we would rather be outside playing caused us to mutate into degenerates? Do we really have nothing better to do? Or is it the false sense of anonymity online that feeds our silly impulses?

My theory is that it is simply human nature to want to stick around and watch things go up in flames. A car crashes on one side of the highway, and ten other cars pile up on the other side because the drivers’ impulses were to turn and look. A tornado comes through the sky, and the neighbors line up outside with video cameras. Idiocy seems to be part of the human experience; otherwise, why would we need so many Idiot’s Guides and For Dummies books?

I think I attract a pretty intelligent, self-respecting crowd here. So I would love to know your thoughts. Are you put off by controversy on the blogs you read, or do you dip right in to join the debate? Are there hot topics you won’t touch, or do you happily post controversy on your own blogs?

When I first started freelance writing, I was determined to learn things the hard way. I didn’t consciously think, “I’m going to beat myself in the head with this until I hurt too badly to function,” but that’s the way it happened. Part of this attitude, I feel, comes from being raised to believe that nothing worth having comes easily, and that in the real world there are no shortcuts (or wormholes, if you will). The bigger part comes from being a masochist. I’m not happy unless I’m torturing myself. Learning the hard way seems to be part of this.

New freelance writers are all over the internet asking questions such as “How do I find a writing job?” or “Where do I learn how to become a freelance writer?” On days I begin blogsurfing before I’ve had sufficient coffee I’m very happy these folks are well protected by the lovely glass screen of the internet, because if they were here in my physical presence I might be tempted to sit them down and give them the chat my parents gave me: there are no free tickets, no priceless shortcuts.

Turns out, my parents were liars. What they taught me wasn’t entirely untrue, but what they told me also wasn’t altogether correct. There may not be wormholes; I’ve yet to beam myself into wealth. But there are some shortcuts, in the sense that taking the long way around isn’t always necessary, and that going through something can be avoided altogether if you’re willing to stop talking for a minute and listen.

The free ticket? Other people’s mistakes, experiences, successes. One of the best things about 407 new freelance writing blogs and websites springing up every week is that there are plenty of freelance writers out there bitching about their careers, boasting about their successes, moaning over things they’ve done wrong. Read. Learn.

“How is this a shortcut?” you may be wondering to yourself. “After all, I’m the kind of idiot who has to touch the hot plate after the server brings the dish and warns me that it’s hot.”

I know your type. I’m one of you.

But here’s the thing: stubbornness will only get you so far — usually pissed off — before you realize you’re wasting precious time and energy. If freelance writing is your career, rather than a play-time excursion, then time is money, and lack of energy means lack of production. Why allow yourself to get lost in that black hole?

Use the internet to your advantage. Want to learn how to do something? Look it up online. There is probably at least one online course, an ebook or two, and at least one decent website or blog on the subject. I have learned things in a day online that many people spent four years of college and hundreds of thousands of dollars learning. You can too, and you probably already are doing this.

Why not take it a step further? Want to learn how to do something? Look it up online. Find out how NOT to do it. Learn from the experts — folks who are already doing it. Bloggers are excellent sources, because blogs are often places where folks get personal. Bloggers are generally more than happy to share their stories. Don’t see the answer to your question? Ask.

Listen. Learn.

Don’t be like me. Don’t revel in thinking your reward will be worth more because you’ve put yourself through hell to get it. If someone offers you a free ticket, take it. Be cautious about the ticket giver, if you must. But take the ticket. Go for the ride. Chances are, it won’t kill you.