Freelance Success

"Fake it ‘til you make it," they say. Who’s "they"? And why do they say that? Does it work? Is there a point where "faking it" isn’t necessary? My mind rambles on with these questions (all of the time) and I’m still not sure I have the answers.

Most of the time I do feel like I’m faking it, since my writing career started so easily. Seriously, all I did was talk to a writer friend of mine about doing a spec piece for a trade magazine she works for. I really don’t remember what prompted me to ask and I don’t know what prompted her to say that she’d do it, but she did.

I wrote and published my first article two years ago, (beginning with that spec piece) and after each piece is finished, I’m given more to write. As much as I want to write. I began with small profile pieces, worked my way up to articles, and now have been offered a feature article. Go figure!

So, am I an imposter? Have I paid my dues? I ask myself these questions all of the time, too, but I think I have answers for these. Maybe I feel like an imposter at times, but I have paid my dues, in a sort of unconventional, zigzag fashion.

I am Fine Arts student, turned Realtor, turned stay-at-home-mom, turned gym manager, turned bookkeeper, and then (finally) freelance writer. "Zigzaggy" and unconventional for sure (and it took almost 30 years!), but all of these twists and turns have prepared me for my freelance writing success.

My Fine Arts background taught me that I’m creative. Not so much in the graphic design sort of way, but creative nonetheless. I use my words to make uninteresting topics interesting; weaving the words like fabric making a finished piece that’s enjoyable to read.

Being a Realtor-slash-Broker-slash-Owner of a Real Estate company taught me self-motivation and discipline. I know what it takes to be in charge of my own success, I know the skills necessary to self-promote, I know I like being my own boss, and I’ve learned the necessary skills to run my own business. These skills have become invaluable as I pursue freelance writing.

Stay-at-home-motherhood was (and is) great for me too. I am never bored, I love making my own schedule, I enjoy the solitude during the day while everyone is away, and I find that I am a MUCH nicer mom when I don’t work outside the home. My husband and I struck a deal, though, that I’d go back to work outside the home once my little guy was in school. Thus the gym job.

I began working at the gym as a counter person and freelancing part-time simultaneously. I wasn’t able to write full-time while working another job, but I was fairly consistent at meeting deadlines and taking on new assignments. When each article sold, I was surprised (and delighted at the same time), and ready to write the next one.

My gym counter job turned into a fairly lucrative management position… until the gym was purchased by a franchise. Not knowing what to do with me, the new owners ultimately made me the bookkeeper for their three gyms, giving me a hefty raise in the process. Dream job, right? Not really. I had practically no time to write and once I automated the bill paying process for the three gyms, the owners didn’t need me anymore and laid me off. Yikes… didn’t see that coming!

Being laid off should have sent me in a panic, running for the nearest job, but it didn’t. Although I was feeling rejected, I was totally calm. I realized that this was one of those turning points in a lifetime that could totally change the course of my life.

Since I wouldn’t have quit the job on my own (even though I wasn’t totally happy), this "forced retirement" paved the way for me to become a full-time freelance writer. With a little help from severance pay, additional vacation pay, unemployment compensation, and periodic gifts from my mom, I was ready to take on writing full time.

So now I’m a full-time freelance writer "faking it ‘til I make it". Does it work? Is there a point where "faking it" isn’t necessary? I still ask myself these questions, but I’m getting a little glimmer of the answers now.

For now, I know that I am a successful freelance writer (and not an imposter) because several published articles tell me so. I, also, know that all of my other endeavors, though unconventional, prepared me for this job. I know, too, that one day I’ll have the confidence in myself as a freelance writer that I’ve had with all of my other jobs. And then maybe, just maybe, I won’t feel like I’m faking it anymore.

Lisa Bakewell is a full-time, freelance writer working out of the Chicagoland area. She is currently poised and ready to take on all types of writing projects including: General Business Writing, Sales Articles and Brochures, Marketing Materials, Advertising Copy, Corporate/Personal Profiles, General Health Article Topics and General Consumer Interest Articles. Examples of her work can be seen on the "Published Articles" page at http://www.writerlisabakewell.com

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