High Octane Freelance Writing
Bob YounceThe engine in a NASCAR racecar produces, on average, more than 750 horsepower. That’s more than twice the horsepower of most production engines on the street. You wouldn’t guess it, but NASCAR engines are very similar to street engines. They use the same cylinder bore centerlines as street engines, they have the same number of cylinders, and they start out their lives the same size as street engines.
A NASCAR Lesson
During the building process, however, a NASCAR engine changes radically. It grows to about 358 cubic inches, a full 20% larger than most street engines. A NASCAR engine has a radical cam profile that makes intake valves easier to open and holds them open longer. A NASCAR engine’s subsystems are all designed for high temperatures and blazing speeds.
A NASCAR engine is almost exactly like a street engine in the beginning. What makes the difference?
A heck of a lot of hard work.
The same is true of freelance writing. Most writers have some talent. Only the best, however, have what it takes to race with the best. So, how do they do it? How can you boost your writing horsepower and pull ahead of the pack?
Start Your Engines
The simplest process in the freelance life is also often the most difficult: you have to get started. You do that by writing. You write every day. You write when you don’t feel like it. You write at night, on weekends and even on holidays. Even when you don’t feel inspired, you have to put your fingers on the keyboard and write something.
Turbocharge Your Enthusiasm
Freelance writing isn’t always fun. Sometimes, you’ve got to spend three months writing about the care and feeding of dingoes. From time to time, you’ve got to crunch numbers and read reports and compare figures. No, these aren’t fun tasks. Here’s the thing, though: you get to be a writer. There is no better life. Remember how cool it is, and funnel that enthusiasm into your writing. Your readers can tell when you’ve lost interest, so don’t lose interest or you lose readers.
Get a Pit Crew
One of the biggest dangers to the freelance writer, especially to the Internet writer, is isolation. Isolation leads to burnout. Isolation causes you to miss things. Isolation keeps your writing at a stagnant level while you stop to change your own tires. Your pit crew might be a partner, an editor or a mastermind group, but whatever it is, you can’t run the race without one.
Outlast the Competition
When the end of a race approaches, a driver and his pit crew have to make some decisions: does the driver pit, risking the chance that he’ll fall behind, or does he push his car, hoping to avoid a blowout or blowup? Sometimes, being willing to keep going on nothing but a wing and a prayer is all you need to outlast your competition. This is why most blogs fail within 3 months: to succeed, you’ve got to stay with it.
Cross the Damn Finish Line
NASCAR doesn’t have playoffs. In fact, it is conceivable that someone could win the Nextel cup with zero wins. With NASCAR, it is all about the buildup of points. Sometimes, you’re going to get outbid. Sometimes, you’re going to get your ass handed to you. You’re going to lose clients. When you do, deal with it. Tune your writing, work on your sales pitch, and do what you have to do to succeed the next time around. As long as you don’t wind up in a fiery heap on the track, you’re still in the running.
Do you have what it takes to run the freelance race?
Bob Younce is a freelance writer and writing mentor from Linwood, Michigan. Bob is dedicated to helping Internet writers achieve their dreams.
Michael Kwan
May 15th, 2008
Excellent post. I especially identify with the section about burnout and the need for a pit crew. If it wasn’t for my significant other, I would have completely burned out a long time ago.
Kimota
May 15th, 2008
Cool post, and one I relate to a great deal. I also find myself writing every day on topics that in normal circumstances would turn my brain to jelly. Sometimes, staying motivated to write is the hardest part of the job. But I agree - it is a small trade for the joy of being a professional writer!
I wrote about the techniques I use to keep my creative juices running.
http://www.jonathancrossfield.com/blog/2008/03/how-to-be-a-writer-when-your-m.html
Anna
May 15th, 2008
I think I see what you’re saying, but the racing analogy made my eyes glaze and I didn’t “get” some of the racing terminologu. Sorry switchers! Guess this one was for the guys?
Pamela
May 15th, 2008
Great Post. I particularly enjoyed the part about writing something everyday, even when you don’t feel like it. Being a writer is definitely cool, but it certainly requires a lot of enthusiasm and dedication. Thank you for the inspirational words.
John Ek
May 15th, 2008
I think this is a very relevant post. I think it also applies to many types of freelancing. I’m a developer and working at home is great. But when a deadline is quickly approaching, it can be a bit overwhelming to know that no one is going ‘have your back’. Also, I think it’s very good to have someone to bounce ideas off of, but Zeke (my lab) doesn’t have the same enthusiasm for my ideas as I do.
Evan MacDonald
May 15th, 2008
Urbis.com is a great resource to get feedback (though I wouldn’t use it for those “i need feedback now” situations). I am a designer, but I have had writing jobs before, and it’s amazing how writing tugs so differently at at the creative mind. I am definitely a visual person.
Robert Janelle
May 15th, 2008
The last paragraph is the most essential one. There are tonnes of brilliant writers who toil in obscurity while loads of mediocre writers have bylines all over the place. The difference is, as the post states, crossing the finish line.
Neil Simpson
May 15th, 2008
An interesting, if a little culturally specific (we dont have nascar in europe) post. I like the way you point out that its not that the engines are born differently, its what happens to them afterwards that counts.
I work with a LOT of creative freelancers in most media and it is seldom the most inherrently talented that succeed. Its usually the ones, to use your driving analogy, with the best transmission, rather than the biggest engine who manage to convert ideas into success.
James Chartrand - Men with Pens
May 15th, 2008
Well done, bro.
I like that you’ve been putting forth the argument that freelancing is tough and that not everyone can do it. I think we all go through the phase when we realize this, and we hammer the message out to others. I think it’s important to be honest show people it’s not a bed of roses but that it truly can be, depending on how we look at it.
Plus, it doesn’t give the gentle, “You can do it. You can do anything,” pat on the back that some sites use. No. People cannot do anything based on inspiration alone. Writing takes skills.
Bob Younce
May 15th, 2008
@ Michael - I think those support folks should, more than the freelancer, get the credit for success. My family has always been supportive, and I’d never have made it in this biz without them.
@ Robert - One of my regular blog readers just sent me a Tweet that “Cross the Damn Finish Line” is her new life motto!
@ Neil - I hope I was able to translate the idea well enough. I’m not much of a NASCAR fan, but as a student of human nature I’m fascinated by it, and by what draws people to it. Oh, and I like where you’re going with the transmission analogy, too.
@ James - Thanks, my friend. Because much of my online writing is geared toward folks thinking about getting into freelancing, I try to pain an honest picture. I mean, for me, freelancing beats the heck out of working as a Network Admin.
James Chartrand - Men with Pens
May 15th, 2008
On a side note, when is Freelance Switch going to get a subscribe to comments feature so that I don’t have to stick a post it note up reminding me to come back to check in? (Especially annoying when there are no new comments…)
Kristen
May 15th, 2008
As a freelance automotive journalist, I LOVED this post. Especially the last bit about crossing the finish line — actually, even fiery heaps get points if they can skid past the checkered flag.
Dorian aka coffeesister |_|)
May 15th, 2008
“NASCAR doesn’t have playoffs” is akin to a motto of mine, given my background in theatre, “Life isn’t a dress rehearsal.” Like life, theatre & NASCAR racing, failure is THE prelude to success. The more losses we rack up, the more times we’ve gotten out there & tried which is the ONLY way a lasting, sustainable success will happen; one based on what we’ve learned (by failing regularly) not dumb luck.
LOVE the “Pit Crew” advice as writing can seem & too oft become lonely work w/so much time spent in one’s head. As part of a pit crew, I can attest to the difference I make (all humility aside ~_^). Keeping my crewing skills honed, I’ve Stumbled this & hope many more read it! ^_^
(|_|*cheers*|_|)
“I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter.” ~ James Michener
Bob Younce
May 15th, 2008
Apologies to those for whom this response comes late, it looks like some comments were awaiting mod!
@ Kimota - I agree. It’s a small trade indeed.
@ Anna - Sorry about that! Maybe next time around we’ll connect? I’ve been working on a freelance-fashion post.
@ Pamela - You’re welcome. I’m glad it was inspiring for you. That’s my goal!
@ John - To tell you the truth, it probably applies to a lot of small business, no?
@ Evan - I’m not familiar with urbis, but I’ll check it out. I’ve also used sites like Helium to get feedback on my writing.
@ Kristen - Sweet. Did I get the specifics correct? Like I said, I’m not a big NASCAR fan, but I tried to be diligent on the research here.
Thanks, all, for your thoughts. Keep ‘em coming!
John Ek
May 15th, 2008
I agree Bob. It probably applies to most small businesses, and probably all home based businesses.
Annie
May 15th, 2008
Bob,
You’re awesome!
I recently read your “violent truths” and I just love the way you gently kick our behinds. It’s very easy to get caught between projects and fears, sometimes a “what are you waiting for?” or a “why have you let that go?” is what we need as freelancers to get our gears going again.
Thanks! =D
http://freelancefolder.com/eight-violent-truths-about-freelancing-part-1/
JJ
May 15th, 2008
@Anna: Kind of a sexist statement don’t you think? =) I’m sure there are lot’s of women out there who would be offended at the prospect that automotive or racing references would only be caught by guys.
@Kristen: Thanks driving the above point home! =)
@Bob: Great post. I agree with John Ek that this has relevance to most freelance home-based businesses. My business occupies the application development and graphic design spaces and I can identify with all of the above points, isolation in particular. I find that getting out of the house (even if its down the street to a Wi-Fi enabled restaraunt or coffee house) goes part of the way to solving that isolated feeling by simply being around other people while working. Taking that idea to the next step and surrounding yourself with a group of like-minded professionals with whom you could collaborate would go the rest of the way.
michael soriano
May 15th, 2008
I enjoy your writing style.
Pablo Matamoros
May 15th, 2008
Nice post.
I loved the Pit Crew analogy. The problem is that in some cases your crew is not in tune with you, especially when you are part-time freelancer. For example, it is hard for partners or family members to understand why you are working on the computer on a sunny Sunday to reach a deadline
Bob Younce
May 15th, 2008
@ Annie - Why thankya! I’m enjoying the Violent Truths series over at freelance folder quite a bit. Jon (Philips, who runs the site) is great to work with, just like the folks here.
@ Michael S. - Thank you.
@ Pablo - That can be true. Generally, I think of the “pit crew” more as your peers or partners on the freelance side, rather than on the home front (though I don’t object to that idea, put forward by Michael K. in the first comment.) The goal is, of course, to turn the family and friends into “fans” or even “sponsors,” to carry the analogy much further than it was intended!
Allena
May 15th, 2008
I, for one, am eagerly awaiting this promised fashion article, LOL
God, you all are absolute right. I try to have a “go for it” attitude in my online writing to Noobs- but no one will succeed in this field without Tenacity. Tenacity is my word of the day. Your finish line is my Tenacity.
Bob Younce
May 16th, 2008
@Allena - You should read my guest post at Deb Ng’s Blog (http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/) tomorrow. At least, I think she’s putting it up tomorrow. Not for the fashion, for the Tenacity
I pinkie swear I didn’t take your word. Seriously, I sent that post to Deb early this morning. You can ask her. I guess we were just on the same wavelength today. That or I can’t seem to blog about anything else!
Raj Dash
May 21st, 2008
So do I need a mullet, Bob?
Bob Younce
May 28th, 2008
@ Raj - It took me a minute, ROFL!
You leave those NASCAR guys alone. They’ll kick both our a$$es.
Meryl K. Evans
July 17th, 2008
Every dream job has things about it we won’t like. Even professional sports. Do you think they like getting hurt and maybe never play their beloved sport again? Those who become famous — do you think they like going grocery shopping and out to dinner with someone asking for an autograph?
Writing has its side effects that not everyone will enjoy or tolerate including marketing, bookkeeping, paying your own taxes.
A dream job lets you love it so much that the nasty side effects are just part of the job not something that makes you sweat bullets (well, unless you injure yourself… carpal tunnel, anyone?)