The Myth Of The Lonely Writer

by on August 3, 2007 · 5 comments

in freelance writing, get paid to write, ghostwriting

People often wonder if freelancers lead lonely lives. After all, we don’t have an office to go to, we can’t catch up with the days news around the water cooler, we just don’t see anyone. In these circumstances, it can be tempting to feel very lonely.

However, there’s no reason to be isolated just because you’re working at home. We all need someone to talk to, and talking to other people also makes us better writers.

Since I started freelancing, I have made a lot of writing friends, most of whom understand my writing side far better than my offline friends. I have met these friends through blogging, through forums, through shared enterprises such as InspiredAuthor and through chats (also thanks to IA).

I communicate with at least a couple of these people every day. We commiserate over difficult jobs, give advice on handling clients and share our successes. We care about what happens to each other, just as we would if we were office colleagues. The proof – since I’ve been ill this week, I’ve had half a dozen emails asking how I was and an e-card. So I’m not a lonely freelance writer at all. I may work alone, but I am not alone. Have a great weekend.

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Sharon Hurley Hall has been mentoring writers here at Get Paid To Write Online since 2005 to help them improve and build sustainable and successful writing careers. Check me out on sharonhh.com. Feel free to connect with me online on Google+.

Sharon has written 659 awesome articles for us at Get Paid to Write Online

Twitter: @SHurleyHall | Facebook | Google+ | Blog → Writing Portfolio

Dana August 3, 2007 at 15:53

It’s true that this is a very supportive profession…at least it has been for me. There are many time my writing friends have helped me immensely with questions, problems or just been there for commiseration.
Hope you feel better soon!

Jason August 4, 2007 at 08:18

Hey Sharon.

I know for a fact that bloggers don’t get very lonely, but I didn’t know that most freelance writers are really supportive like that. It seems like it would be more cutthroat. That’s nice.

One of the reasons I’ve ventured more into blogging is because I meet all kinds of people.

Pinhole August 4, 2007 at 10:32

I certainly hope that reviewing my paragraphs and you becoming ill were simply a coincidence. I also hope you feel better soon.

Simon August 4, 2007 at 16:51

Thats definitely something to think about, I have to agree with you on this.

This is my first time on your blog, would you like a link exchange?

Thanks
Simon

Sharon August 5, 2007 at 12:21

Thanks for the good wishes, Dana, Jason, Pinhole. I’ve found the profession very supportive and I think it’s just a coincidence, Pinhole.

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