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.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
do as I say not as I did. works for me.
Hugs and God’s Love ans Blessings-Mike G. said that!
Mike Golch’s last blog post..A Prayer request.
Exactly, Mike.
I’m with you, Amy. Time = money when you freelance, and I don’t like to waste either one of them. Why not be open to free advice from folks who have already learned things the hard way?
Rebecca Smith’s last blog post..Chainsaws and callers and crows, oh my!
Rebecca — Luckily some people aren’t as stubborn as I am.
Now I have to go read your chainsaw post. Anything with chainsaws in the title has to be good. 
Amy, that picture reminds me of when I was a little girl and took a big ole bite from a peach from my grandpa’s peach tree. How he laughed when he saw my face…. I looked down and realized there was half a worm inside that peach. Guess where the other half went? Yep, that’s right! I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry. I didn’t eat a peach for a long, long time.
Great post, by the way! I have googled to learn stuff too and then I’ve been truly blessed to have kind freelancers share a tip or two with me. And, I’ve learned a lot from you.
*smiles*
Michele
Michele’s last blog post..Farmer’s Markets: Making “Green” Juices and Smoothies
Michele — I’m happy you’ve learned something from me.
AND, I’m happy to have brought back your worm memory. LOL 
Live bait and wormholes, Amy .
Still chuckling.
You speak such wonderful truth.
Hugs.
Janice Cartier’s last blog post..Out of Chaos Comes OM
Janice — Thanks.
Hugs back!
When I used to be in Academia…(before my fall from Grace)….
…one of my former profs once said something to me, that stuck in my head to this day:
“A week in the Lab will save you 5 minutes in the library”.
He made a good point. Always do your homework, regardless of what project you’re starting.
Okay. That’s about all the wisdom I can dispense for one day (before I start reverting back to smart-ass comments!)
Friar’s last blog post..Friar’s Random Rants (Part III)
Friar — That’s a very smart quote. I may have to borrow that one.
@Amy
Heh. One of the rare few cases when an academic gave me some practical advice that could be used in the real world.
Doens’t happen too often. But it does.
Friar’s last blog post..My Favorite Touron (*) Moments
Friar — Probably good that you “fell from Grace” when you did, or you wouldn’t have the mindpower left to remember that one great quote.
LOL
I still think that whole academia thing did permanent brain damage…:-)
Thank God I got out when I did.
(If I was a prof,I probably woulnd’t be “allowed” to blog the way I do).
Friar’s last blog post..My Favorite Touron (*) Moments
Friar — It’s funny you mention that. There’s this lawyer I know — she’s cool — that I recommended she get a blog, because she’s so funny, and she said she would probably get fired from the firm if she had a blog. I told her to read anonymous lawyer and do it that way. LOL (That blog is fiction, but it’s pretty close to how things go in big firms.)
I tend to have the same “good thing I got out when I did” philosophy about working in a big corporate lawfirm. It’s been six years now, but my brain is still full of useless information… such as which non-billable billing code to use to make a photocopy. (insert barfing here)
Great advice and so true! I’ve seen several freelancers who offer valuable advice that could save months of hands-on learning-the-hard way for newbies yet many people miss these opportunities, which really are wormholes or shortcuts.
Melissa Donovan’s last blog post..A Story for a Song
Thanks Melissa. I wish I’d known where all those “hands-on learning the hard way” blogs were when I first started. I do try to learn from them now, although I do tend to still be stubborn and try it out my own way.
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