If you have a thing for writing and if you consider yourself a great wordsmith, then you are the right guy for freelance creative writing.
The average income of creative writers is $54,000 which can go as high as $60,000+. Now, you must be wondering, "How do I go about it?"
Well, there are countless ways to kickstart your career in creative writing as a freelancer!
Freelance creative writers are always sought-after by many businesses in a wide range of industries, such as the Media, Technology, and Retail industry.
In this blog, we’ll bring to light what freelance creative writing is, the possible fields you can work in, the best sites to land a creative writing job, and how to become a successful freelancer.
Creative Writing Vs Content Writing – Note The Difference
First and foremost, it’s important to understand the difference between creative writing and the general concept of content writing.
The reason for this is that much of the work you find in the world of freelance writing isn’t creative writing; so you need to clear your focus.
The main difference between creative and content writing is the purpose, or goal of the end product.
Creative writing is often done for artistic purposes or personal pleasure, and it is typically based on literary themes and narrative frameworks. It centres on elements like character and plot development.
On the flip side, content writing is meant to be easily digestible and compelling to a particular audience.
This kind of writing must be clear, succinct, simple to comprehend and often require knowledge of SEO.
As a result, it generally follows tight standards in terms of tone and structure, leaving little opportunity for creativity.
But, you don’t need to worry if you are a more artistically inclined writer as there are numerous ways to channel your creativity into profitable results.
Freelance Creative Writing Jobs
Let's take a look at some of the many kinds of freelance creative writing jobs available. As you go through the list, note the types of writing you’ve worked on or the types you’d like to try.
Freewriting
Freewriting, often known as stream-of-consciousness writing, is the apex of creative writing. It is the practice of writing down all of your ideas without following any of the standard writing guidelines.
It may or may not contain a subject as a general guide. Freewriting may be used to create ideas and remove distracting thoughts, depending on the goal.
Freewriting may take many forms, including essays, journals, and fiction writing.
Essay Writing
Essay writing is a form of creative writing that requires imaginative thinking. This is particularly true for personal or descriptive essays in which the writer walks around his or her own life experiences or perspectives.
Similarly, to create a persuasive argument for the reader, you’ll need to engage the creative centres of your mind to make that happen.
Journals
A journal is any written log that takes on the role of a memoir. As a journal writer, you could create a gratitude journal, a memory journal, a dream journal, or a goals journal.
Many writers keep idea journals or all-purpose Omni-journals which may be used for anything from daily freewriting to brainstorming and project planning.
Fiction Writing
The creation of non-factual prose writings is known as fiction writing. Both short story and book writing, within its various genres and subgenres, include a broad range of themes, styles, and details developed by writers to create a world that feels real.
Fiction writing jobs may provide you with a lot of leeways to create a unique narrative full of relatable and three-dimensional fictitious characters.
Screenwriting
Screenwriting involves translating a story into its blocks of action and conversation text, building up whole scenes and often adhering to a three-act framework.
Scripts were formerly produced solely for television programs or films, but with the advent of new technologies and streaming devices, a number of forms are now available.
To become a screenwriter and to excel in this field is not an easy task, but if this is where your passion lies, you should definitely go for it.
Playwriting
Playwriting is a kind of creative writing intended to be played on stage in real-time. Plays may be one-act or multi-act.
Nevertheless, owing to constraints in space and effects, plays rely on creativity to convey a full and engaging narrative.
Poetry writing
Poetry is a kind of creative writing that involves rhythmic prose and the manifestation of ideas with musicality. It can be short or contain multiple verses. It can have no rhyme scheme or a complex and repetitive one.
Poetry, like music, is a flexible literary style that enables the artist to express themselves via rhythm and meter.
How to Make Money as A Freelance Creative Writer?
Since you now know the hottest creative writing jobs you can make your way into, let’s explore some common ways to make real money through freelance creative writing.
Take Part in Writing Competitions And Win!
As a beginner freelance creative writer, signing up for online writing contests is one of the finest ways to earn money and build a dynamic portfolio at the same time.
There are many award contests that provide publicity and big financial rewards to those who excel in creative writing.
Check out some of the best competitions to join in:
Writer’s Digest Competitions
Short Fiction Prize
Cabell First Novelist Award
Nelson Algren Short Story Award
Publish A Book or EBook
While it may seem daunting to try your hand at self-publishing, you really have a few choices.
For beginner freelance creative writers, you may concentrate on expanding your finest written story into a full-fledged book.
You can write eBooks on diverse topics ranging from biographies, memoirs, and self-help books to religious, health & fitness, politics and business-related books.
Amazon is one great selling platform for indie writers, particularly if you know how to market yourself and promote your writing.
Start Blogging and Turn It Into A Business
Starting your own blog and growing it as a source of income is another method to earn money with creative writing.
This is unquestionably more difficult than producing a niche blog, adhering to conventional SEO, and creating a blog as a business.
But, if you're patient and willing to work hard, blogging may bring you big bucks, particularly if you're producing quality content and attracting the right audience.
You may begin by narrowing down your areas of interest and writing about them. You can go anyway from writing on self-improvement/ personal development (how you overcame some obstacle), to health & fitness or learning a new language.
Gaining an audience takes time, but no matter how long it takes, you'll end up with an outstanding portfolio in the long run.
Remember, the more content you can turn up, the better.
Join Freelance Platforms
The best, easiest, and fastest way to make money through freelance creative writing is to enter the top freelance marketplaces.
These online platforms have played a leading role in shaping the freelance ecosystem. As new sites crop up and old ones try to stay in the game, freelancers are making the most of these sites to earn up to six figures revenue.
What Is Creative Writing in TaskShift?
Freelance creative writing has become easier through TaskShift, which offers an unparalleled platform for passionate freelancers.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced freelance creative writer, you can easily sign up to the website, build an appealing profile, upload some of your portfolio samples, create customized offers, and you’re ready to get the ball rolling.
Since you will create your own offers, clients will hit your profile with decent projects and you won’t have to sift through hundreds of job posts and send detailed proposals (without knowing whether they’d be accepted or rejected).
The key is to create an amazing freelance creative writing profile with enticing descriptions and standout offers. Get to know more about how to optimize your freelance profile to attract clients.
What’s great is that, as a freelance creative writer, you will only be charged a commission rate of as low as 3%, enabling you to keep 97% of your earnings in your account.
For example, if you get a creative writing job that pays you $10, TaskShift will only deduct $0.3 from the total, leaving $9.7 in your account. Isn’t that incredible?
Still, thinking? It’s meaningless to wait when you have a proven way to earn money through freelance platforms. Sign up today and start making big bucks via your creative writing skills.
How Do I Become a Freelance Creative Writer?
Be an Avid Reader
You need to be an avid reader if you really want to write. Reading various kinds of writing may help you come up with new ideas. You'll automatically acquire the rhythm and flow of fiction and creative nonfiction as you read more of it.
Don't restrict yourself to a single medium or style. Look into plot-driven horror, character-driven works, the experts and emerging current writers. Investigate journals, periodicals, and blogs. Find out what you want to do and what is trending in the market.
Discover Your Voice
Make no attempt to imitate Charles Dickens, Shakespeare or Christopher Marlowe. Their creative writings were based on norms, morals, preferences, even whole worldviews.
Don't try to be someone you aren't. Write in your own period, in your own culture, and, most all, in your own voice.
Even if you're creating fictitious people and events, choose a style and tone that represents the most genuine version of yourself. It's one of the most crucial stages in constructing your own world of writing.
Avoid Being Complicated
Don't fall into the mistake of believing that simply because something is difficult to grasp, it will generate an aura of mystery that will entice the reader to read on. This is almost never the case.
Don't let ingenuity get in the way of clarity. Obscure text is usually disliked by readers, whether the impact was intended or not. Avoid being complex only for the sake of being different.
Maintain A Notebook of Ideas
Creative writing inspiration may strike at any time. Prepare yourself with a notepad for ideas or a notes app on your phone.
when you go through your ideas, you may discover that merging a few apparently unconnected ideas may spark a new piece of writing.
Write Instinctively & Read Your Work Out Loud
If you have a story concept, sit down and start typing without stopping to edit. Allow your thoughts to flow freely. After you've gotten the narrative out of your mind and onto the screen, you may start rereading.
It's still not time to revise once you've gotten everything out. Read your concept aloud to get a sense of how it sounds. See which scenes speak your interest and which dialogues are especially effective.
Proofread and Edit Out Fluff
While creativity is important in creative writing, any "fluff" elements of the narrative must be removed.
Your writing will never be “perfect” the first time. You may sometimes fail, but far more often than not, you will just need to revise... again and again.
Yes, it's time-consuming, but it's an important part of the process that distinguishes writers from hobbyists.
Revision is a skill that should be learned. Take a step back and examine your work with a critical eye.
Consider what others have to say and how they may help you. In the quest for a great written piece, be prepared to undertake significant (and often unpleasant) changes.
Parting Thoughts
As a freelance creative writer, there are a plethora of options for selling your services online. All it's about finding the perfect fit for your skills and finding a job that pays you off.
While some freelance creative writing jobs are evidently more profitable than others, you can certainly get yourself some steady earnings if you dedicate your energy to any of the aforementioned options.
Regardless of whatever choice you make, the most important thing is to get started at writing.
Having a strong portfolio will not only make you a more viable choice for employers, but it will also help you take your writing skills to the next level.
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