Starting a Writing Career (or How I Sifted Through the Muck and Found My Way)

 So, the decision is final. I am a writer.

Actually, I have always been a person who writes, but I have never applied the term to myself in a professional sense. Having pushed aside my financial fears and gained the requisite self-confidence, I began to surf the net in earnest for information about how to begin a freelance writing career. The vast amount of information was daunting enough, but when I realized how much time and effort would go into an attempt to get published, I almost quit.

Several thoughts are keeping me going. A lot of it has to do with my personal history and the role that writing plays in my life. When I was 8, I left notes around the house asking my parents for an increase in my allowance. When I was in college, I was the nut who took three journalism classes and three literature classes in one semester. When I went to graduate school as an adult with two small children, my ability to write well saved my sanity.

I pushed on. My initial research told me that I first needed to learn about the business of writing because I knew nothing of queries, markets, or copyright. Once I learned what content should be included in a query, writing them was not difficult; however, researching the various markets has been incredibly time consuming. At first, I hit dead ends. I started searching the typical job sites, but most of them did not post freelance work.

Then I came across several subscription sites that claimed to connect freelancers with writing markets. I was concerned that some of these sites might be scams, but after spending several days exploring one site in particular, I had almost decided to subscribe. Before I took the leap, I came across an article which criticized the site. It did not appear to be a scam, but it was enough to validate my initial skepticism. I placed this market source on hold to explore other opportunities.

A few other market postings also begged caution. One in particular sounded like a great opportunity for new writers to get published. I started to complete their online application form until I arrived at the page that asked for my social security number. They claimed that they needed it in order to pay me, but they had not even seen my ideas or any of my writing samples. I cancelled the application and moved on.

Perhaps the biggest shock to my English teacher sensibilities was the listing for "academic writers." I thought: "Great! This I've done." I clicked the button that led to more information and realized that these "markets" were actually students trying to cheat their way through school. Again, I moved on.

Although my early attempts to find writing markets were clearly filled with concern, caution, and a certain degree of paranoia, my experiences thus far have been mainly positive. I found several sites that posted seemingly genuine paying markets. Even if the information does not lead to publication, many of these listings sparked ideas which I can pitch to other markets. Even more important, the generation of ideas has lifted my spirits by making writing for a living seem more realistic.

My biggest morale booster is no secret to most writers. Before purchasing Writer's Market, I knew that it contained market listings and informative articles. I did not know that it contained lists of contests and awards, some of which are designed to assist writers financially while they are writing. I may never win such an award, but somehow, knowing that such a thing exists makes my goals seem more attainable.

Finally, I am almost ready to start submitting queries. The queries are written and effectively target the appropriate markets, but I am still confused about copyright. I'm beginning to fear that my grasp of copyright law is going to become something like my grasp of the offside rule in soccer. My oldest son has just completed his second year playing travel soccer and each time I think I understand offside, something happens that makes me question my understanding. The same holds true for copyright. I understand the concept of first rights and I understand what it means to submit simultaneously. But when a market indicates that it buys first rights and also accepts simultaneous submissions, who gets first rights if two markets opt to purchase the same manuscript? If they both print the story, they can't both have first rights. Can they? Since I do not have the answer, I do not plan to submit queries simultaneously - yet.

The most important lesson I have learned during this journey is that the faith I have in myself and in my aspirations must rise above the confusion and chaos created by the pursuit of the dream.


Read part 1 of this series. Michele R. Acosta is a freelance writer, a former English teacher, and the mother of three boys. She spends her time writing and teaching others to write. Visit articles.TheWritingTutor.biz for more articles, writingeditingservice.TheWritingTutor.biz for professional writing/editing services, or TheWritingTutor.biz for other writing and educational resources for young authors, teachers, and parents. Copyright (c) 2004-2005 The Writing Tutor & Michele R. Acosta. All rights reserved.

 Michele R. Acosta

More Articles 

How to Know if You Are in the Right Career - Kathleen Gage
How to Know if You Are In The Right Career by Kathleen Gage Ever wonder if you are in the right career? If you are like most people you have. Did you know that 80% of people are currently misemployed? They are either underemployed, not happy with...

Three Ways to Transition to a New Career - Steve Hall
As a Certified Personnel Consultant working for Find Great People International in Greenville, South Carolina, I receive telephone calls from people who are considering a career change. For some, transitioning to a new career is easier than...

Midlife Career Change Can Feel Like Getting a Divorce - Cathy Goodwin
Most of us are aware that we need to grieve the death of a close friend, relative or favorite pet. We are beginning to learn that other events -- relocation, divorce, illness -- can also be experienced as loss. Losing a professional-level career...

IT Career Error! Click Here to Repair - Steve Bohler
Two years ago Jeff was a discontented software developer. His work left him frustrated and mentally drained each day. His performance reviews were generally positive, but always noted a lack of genuine interest or motivation. He agreed completely...

Do You or Love Your Career? Here's How to Get That Dream Career That Seemed Impossible...Tips & 69 Free Career Affirmations - Dr Anne Marie Evers
"Could Career Affirmations Really Attract That Perfect Career?" Employer Relationships and Powerful Career Development Techniques , By Anne Marie Evers, author "Affirmations, Your Passport to Happiness" . Attention: Make sure...

Career Planning - Dale Lawrence
Career planning necessary to work out Career planning is one of those things you don’t learn about in school but what decisions you make with your career affect your future in more ways than one. No matter what choices you make regarding your...

The Importance of Career Mentoring - Neil Gordon
Copyright 2005 Neil Gordon One of the things that sets successful people apart from the rest of us is coaching or mentoring. Smart people know they don't have all the answers themselves, and others have already found out through their own...

Top Ten Things Kids Teach Us About Our Careers - Carwin Dover
Inciteful Insight: * Children may be better teachers about our career than graduate degree professors. From infancy thru teenagerism, our children give us great tidbits which can be useful in our own career development. The method to discover...

6 Factors Of Career Success - Alesia Benedict CPRW JCTC
What do employers look for in potential employees? That was the question that was posted recently on a career discussion forum online. Naturally, for each different position, the particular answers to that question would be different. However,...

A Career as a Professional Organizer - Cyndi Seidler
It is a rare, if not an all together non-existent occasion, for clutter victims to invite people into their homes. However, some are now opening their doors to professional organizers. For many people like this, clutter becomes a way of...

Tips for getting your movie career launched - Bas de Baar
Hollywood helps those who help themselves! In you want to get your movie career fast tracked then here are three common sense tips to help you on your way. 1. Borrow the Boy Scout's Motto: Be Prepared. Once you start the ball rolling you...

Five Myths and Five Tips for Breaking Into a Career as a Fashion Designer - Jennie S Bev StyleCareer com
Becoming a fashion designer is a lifelong dream for many of us. We all love to wear beautiful clothes and make ourselves feel good from the inside out. We often imagine what it feels like to actually make money doing something this great: dressing...