What to Know Before Going Solo

#TheFreelanceEdit

Before I get into the heart and soul of my essay, I must say: I’m no expert, not yet anyway. These musings are, largely, based on my personal and professional learnings considering my experiences as an independent writer in Mumbai (I’ve been writing for a little over eleven years now). During this time, I’ve had five full-time jobs and the rest have been a mix of gigs undertaken within a freelance (sometimes retainership) capacity.

Choosing to swing solo has been part and parcel of my life ever since 2013, and 2016 marks when I began freelancing in a wholesome, full-time way. While it started out from a good place within, I can admit now that I wasn’t taking it very seriously — I thought I’d eventually return to a full-time position. Over the course of time, I began looking at it differently: Why not ‘freelance’?

That being said, these pointers form some of the lessons I’ve learned in my time as an independent creator (in no particular order):

· Your voice, and what you have to say matters.

How you say it is part of the charm of your own special brand of storytelling. Trust your writing voice, and know that with honing and practice, you will find the audience, editors and publications that matter.

· You never know what you can or cannot do unless you listen to the calling.

It’s good to list out subjects you are curious to learn more about… You’re training yourself to seek out assignments you know you can do well. Even so, it’s refreshing to also write about other things out of your interest-level, every now and then, so long as you trust it to be a topic that can teach you a thing or two. I don’t know that I’ll ever write about automobiles or sports simply because I am not interested in either subject… I don’t know enough (for one), and I’m fairly ignorant about the terminology and what-not. But, say, over the last few years — seeing as I’ve grown to enjoy cooking for myself (and others), I’d be keen to write about it even though I’m not a chef nor am I well-versed in the culinary arts. Like — I’d do my homework before writing a -related piece, I’m just saying to not let your apprehensions about not knowing enough stop you from covering something that you are newly invested in.

· There’s a beauty in everyone’s writing voice, and like art, writing is subjective in its appeal.

Your writing might not be for everyone, and that’s okay. (You don’t want it to be, anyway.) This holds immense meaning for me, now — than before. An editor at my first job, in fact, advised me against pursuing a career in writing. He wasn’t cruel about it, though at the time — I did believe I didn’t possess what it took to become a good writer. Funnily enough, at a following job, my editor believed in my capabilities from the start — she was encouraging, and I learned a lot under her gaze and guidance. With time, I slowly grew to be discerning of my own writing style via attempts to avoid: repeating myself, being disingenuous or flowery whilst transmuting rambling thoughts into coherent sentences etc. [Furthermore, who decided writing had to be one way for everyone to enjoy or express? (Thank you, Tumblr poets!)]

· Your dreams and goals keep evolving as you move forward in this business.

It’s natural and necessary to go over your list of things to determine (how and) if you’d like to continue on your path, or explore a new one. Nothing’s definite, and that’s how magic happens.

· Freelancing has its cons as it does, pros.

One con, being the lack of stability during a rough spell. Taking up part-time jobs just means you’re supporting yourself, not selling out (and I forbid you to feel some kind of dispirited way about it).

· Working independently requires one to possess a heady dose of courage, optimism and wild hope.

Things will be rough. Our belief in ourselves isn’t linear, nor is our progression — more so, when you’re on this road, independently. External influences will play a role. It’s easy for me to tell you to have conviction in what you do — trust that it will come with time. An affirmation that works for me is ‘faith x fate.’

· Have faith in your rate!

Always request for an advance before beginning any work, formally. I have a few drafts in my e-mail section that work as templates; an important line I am sure to include during the initial stages of correspondence with a new client is “I must, respectfully, interject here that I work on a 75% advance.” I add this line, almost immediately after resolutely telling them what my quote for said assignment is. (An agreement or contract is far more beneficial, and it’s something I’m hoping to master working on in 2020.)

· Write down why you’re doing this.

People will say things. Friends will say things. Family will say things. You will lose hope, get frustrated. [Why I’m doing this: I like working for myself. (I also get to indulge in my hobbies, work on my dreams of making-and-selling greeting cards and writing a few books of my own.) — It seems to me that a freelance lifestyle could support this journey.] Recalling the reasons why you’ve chosen this for yourself keeps the tank of inspirations high, and reminds you to be accountable.

· Chart out a work-process.

Formulate a code of work ethics, and try to be diligent when it comes to following and implementing said code.

· Networking is fun!

Especially online. I used to, in my early twenties, think it wasn’t for me or that I’d have to fake it and forge relationships with folks only to use them. (Which I am against, in case that isn’t clear.) I’ve come to realise it’s more about the connections you form with like-minded individuals — people you like and respect (their being + body of work), people who encourage and inspire you, and people you trust (and vice-versa) to collaborate with.

There are things I must be forgetting, and plenty more I’ll learn in the years to come (inshallah) — I’d like to end here, for now, and say: You got this. Not everyone might get it — if you believe, you best believe you’re going to go for it and give it what you’ve got. Flowers bloom in places where (and when) you least expect them to, all the spots you might’ve forgotten you tended to. As long as your goal is to grow, keep that faith, and trust the fates.

A version of this story first appeared on Seedlings by Periwinkle Literary Magazine.