Publishing details
An Enterprise Nation book
HARRIMAN HOUSE LTD
3A Penns Road
Petersfield
Hampshire
GU32 2EW
GREAT BRITAIN
Tel: +44 (0)1730 233870 | Fax: +44 (0)1730 233880
Email: [email protected] | Website: www.harriman-house.com
Copyright © 2013 Harriman House
The right of Rachael Oku to be identified as the Author has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988.
ISBN: 9781908003621
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data | A CIP catalogue record for this book can be obtained from the British Library.
All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the Publisher. This book may not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published without the prior written consent of the Publisher.
About the Author
Rachael Oku is an editor, editorial consultant and freelance writer living in London.
Beginning her career in the world of fashion PR in 2008, Rachael’s passion for writing soon took over and saw her secure senior editorial roles within niche fashion and lifestyle publications such as Amelia’s, The Hub, and award-winning SIX.
Additionally, Rachael has written copy for numerous brands and publications and has consulted for a variety of organisations such as the British Council.
Throughout her editorial career, Rachael’s central task has been to build up a network of reliable freelance writers. Putting her insider knowledge, expertise and contact book to good use she founded Creative-Bloc (www.creative-bloc.co.uk), a social enterprise for freelance writers, in 2012.
Sharing advice, industry tips, news and global job opportunities, Creative-Bloc offers writers the commercial advice and support necessary to succeed in a competitive freelance environment.
When she’s not on deadline, Rachael can often be found on Twitter encouraging freelancers to ‘think like a business’ via @Creative__Bloc.
Become a Freelance Writer is Rachael’s first book.
Introduction
A NO-NONSENSE read that gets straight to the point, Become a Freelance Writer is written with the famous George Orwell quote in mind: “If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.”
This is a short guide to the business of writing. It isn’t about how to write or where to find work (though it does cover how to find work). It’s about what you need to do to take your freelance operation to the next level.
If you’re serious about developing a writing career you have to commit yourself to the craft. It’s something that needs to be worked at consistently. You have to have the discipline (and positivity) to believe that it’s a case of ‘when’ the words will come, rather than ‘if’.
Not everyone is born to write. Mastering the theory is not necessarily a good indicator of the results that will follow. Writing is ultimately about instinct and feeling.
To be a good writer you need to have a desire to tell stories and possess an insatiable appetite for words. You need an active imagination and to not be afraid to let it lead you.
If you can believe in yourself and push through any creative barriers, you’ve got something really special that can never be taught in a classroom.
Being a writer is the greatest job in the world. It’s creative, fun, versatile and immensely satisfying.
“Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well.”
~ Stephen King
The best advice I’ve ever been given is to keep reading.
There will come times in your writing journey when you feel that reading has become less essential. Perhaps you know ‘enough’; or you may simply not have the time any more.
Make the time.
There have been occasions in the past few years when I’ve had so many writing assignments that reading was the first thing to go out the window. I couldn’t see beyond my deadlines and my writing got flat.
My output was uninspiring as a direct result of not taking a step back and feeding my creativity in the way that only reading achieves.
If you’re not entirely sold on the benefits of reading, perhaps you’ll take heed of what these great writers say …
“The real importance of reading is that it creates an ease and intimacy with the process of writing; one comes to the country of the writer with one’s papers and identification pretty much in order. Constant reading will pull you into a place (a mind-set, if you like the phrase) where you can write eagerly and without self-consciousness. It also offers you a constantly growing knowledge of what has been done and what hasn’t, what is trite and what is fresh, what works and what just lies there dying (or dead) on the page. The more you read, the less apt you are to make a fool of yourself with your pen or word processor.”
~ Stephen King
“Read everything; trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it is good, you’ll find out.”
~ William Faulkner
“When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.”
~ Maya Angelou
TOP TIPS
1. Write a little every day. Whether it’s a diary, stream of consciousness or short story.
2. Identify what time of day you’re most productive and try to set this time aside exclusively for writing.
3. Try not to let the desire to edit overcome your creativity before you’ve even started.
4. Write about what you know and are passionate about.
5. Study closely those whom you wish to emulate.
6. Observe strangers and listen to conversations. You might hear something that triggers a great idea.
7. Write with conviction and don’t be afraid of getting stuck into the details.
8. During editing, read your work aloud and print out a hard copy. Go over it again and again.
9. Take regular breaks and get some exercise and fresh air. You’ll be twice as focused.
10. Take feedback constructively and tailor your writing style to different briefs, but don’t change what makes your voice unique.
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