Questions about Freelance Writing?

Question

I'd like to start doing some Freelance writing? I'm told that this is when you make up some short stories and send them to different magazine companies and newspapers, Is this true?

How old do you have to be to start this?

How much do you normally get paid?

Could this become a life career?

ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS, OR INFO WOULD BE GREAT!

-THANKS

Answer 1

First, Freelance writers are those who are not committed to writing for a particular paper or magazine. Yes these writer write short stories and articles. Articles are usually written after having queried a publication and been given the "okay maybe". Some magazines will pay a "kill" fee if they decide not to use the piece. You do need to read the guidelines first.

A good way to break in is to do movie, play or book reviews, they don't usually pay anything but name recognition is important and the publications will know how well you write when you send time a query for an article. Remember that Each and Every piece you send anywhere, must hold up under its own merits.

Depending on the type of articles you want to write, age won't matter. If you write for a young persons mag, you can be young.

You need to consolt the guidelines too, for the fees paid. They will vary between non-fiction articles and fiction short stories (you don't usually have to query for a short story, but read what the publisher wants before sending it).

Yes, being a freelance writer could very well become a career. If you chose to be a freelance reporter, or you could consider doing a regular column for a newspaper or magazine. Articles can be used for different publications, but would have to be rewritten to fit the needs of each... be sure to advise a publication if the peice has been published before, telling them where and when.

Answer 2

Top newspapers with circulation over 500,000 usually pay 50 cents a word. So if you write a 800 word article, that's $400. Age is not important. What is important is talent. You need to know how to write well enough to capture the readers' attention. Newspapers and magazines are always on the look out for experts on certain topics. For example, an expert on home improvement techniques, an expert on the culinary arts, an expert in child raising, etc. It could be a life career if you're really good and well known in the profession. You usually earn your stripes by either publishing in top magazines/newspaper, winning writing awards, or having a well connected close family member in the business. Yet if you are really talented, you can make it to the top of the game without starting with connections.

Answer 3

If you would like to start a career in freelance writing, I suggest you check out Elance.com. It has a multitude of services to offer for people who need certain services such as design, writing, web, consulting, and so much more.

You can sign up there and reply to the jobs you would like to write about. It's like ebay for services. You can name your own price and you can get an idea of what to charge in case your not sure. It's pretty cool.

There are fees and you should definately look over the all the fine print, but if you want to do this as a career, this can help you get some portfolio work.

Answer 4

To answer your first question: As soon as you can make a coherent sentence, you can be a freelance writer. Payment is tentative on society and their curse'd wants. Coming from a writer myself, I tell you to damn society and write for all your worth. Write for you, not the world. If they like it, cool beans, if not, they can go places and do things. Never give up the dream...And if motivation fails you, read up on people like Alexander Dumas and Sir Arthur Doyle