Summary

A freelance writer shares their personal experience with the highs and lows of pursuing writing jobs, emphasizing resilience and the subjective nature of writing success.

Abstract

The author of the article discusses the emotional rollercoaster of applying for freelance writing jobs, particularly one for a networking app related to alcohol products. Despite initial excitement and a promising interview, the job offer fell through when the interviewer discovered an article the author had written about losing a friend to alcohol addiction. The incident led to feelings of rejection and self-doubt, but the author also recognized it as a valuable learning experience. They emphasize the importance of perseverance in writing, acknowledging that not every opportunity will be a good fit and that rejection is part of the creative process. The author concludes with an encouraging message to fellow writers to continue their journey, as there is an audience for everyone's work.

Opinions

The author has a deep passion for writing, considering it an integral part of their identity.
There is a tendency to over-inflate the importance of certain job opportunities, especially in the context of freelance writing.
Rejection in writing can feel incredibly personal and devastating, but it is a common experience for writers.
The author believes that alignment in values and creative vision is crucial for a successful writer-client relationship.
Despite setbacks, the author remains optimistic about their writing career and the potential to connect with readers.
The author advocates for resilience, suggesting that persistence is key to overcoming the challenges of a writing career.

Writing Struggles

I Will Write For Food

Sometimes that freelance writing job you want so much is just not in the cards…

Have you ever applied for a job and made it so much bigger in your mind than it actually is? You think… this is IT. The Universe has sent this to ME!

As if the planet Earth and life itself depend on YOU getting this job?

EVERYTHING depends on this ONE moment!

With freelance writing jobs, it feels like the stakes are much higher for me. This is something I have struggled with recently.

I love to write.

I will write for FOOD — and definitely for a sandwich.

Writing is in my soul. It is a part of me. What would I do if I could not write? What would happen if nobody connected with the words I was writing?

Would I fall into a meaningless pit of despair?

Never get to pursue my genuine passions?

Run out of money?

Is it all really so dramatic? Probably not.

Anyway, I am making progress with this by taking the flow of life one day at a time. I figure, that is all I can really do, right?

In keeping with this spirit of things, please allow me to share a tale with you. A tale of career pursuits. A tale of writing highs and writing lows.

If you are new to writing or struggling to find where your place is to fit in — I hope this provides you with a little comfort.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Woe Is Me?

I was recently turned down for a writing job in the most awkward way. During my daily job hunt, I found an advertisement on the FlexJobs site. The job description itself was fairly vague. It basically requested a human being, who had the ability to write “various product descriptions,” and “personal experience blog posts” for a new networking app. Cool. I am human, AND I can write! So of course I applied, sent a few writing samples, and waited. Ever so impatiently.

Then it happened.

Two days later… and wouldn’t you know it. A shrill email alert tells my ears what they have been waiting to hear. YES — Somebody likes my writing! And they actually want to pay me money for it!

24 hours later… my hair is curled, make-up is on, and nails are painted — all in preparation for the very first Zoom meeting of my writing future. I am ready to go. Nervous as hell, but ready to go.

Ready to be a REAL writer. Whatever that means?

The Zoom meeting connects. Connecting me to my dream job. And there he appeared on the screen. My light in the writing darkness.

“Jason” was his name. He wore the shiniest black shirt I think I have ever seen. His hair neatly slicked back. Serious and to the point. I learn how impressed he was with the writing samples I sent, and how much he would like to work with me.

I also learn that this new networking app is for a specific brand of alcohol products, and it’s related online and future in-person events.

And as the universe would have it, while we were chatting, Jason clicks on a link to one of my Medium articles he had not previously seen. He was only a few seconds into reading the words of its title, “I Lost My Best Friend To Alcohol — Important Lessons Destroy the Stigma of Addiction,” when all the air left the zoom room.

The silence was loud and his expression went sour. “Ya OK right… this will not work out at all.” And with a swift motion of his hand — our connection was TERMINATED.

Zoom meeting over!

At the moment, it felt like this gigantic crash and burn. I felt the sting of rejection for the rest of the day. Doubting my ability to write, and feeling like an uninspired blob of a human all around.

Learning Along The Way

I now see what a learning experience this was, and I am thankful for that.

It was an experience that I may not have wanted but definitely needed.

The truth of the matter is, not everyone is going to like your writing, creativity, or ideas. That doesn’t mean you are at fault — you just may not line up with each other. If you are not on the same wavelength, it is tough to make things work.

As awkward as this was in the moment, it taught me important lessons that I will carry with me along this journey.

I know I will keep going. And I hope you do too!

We must soldier on my friends. Somebody, somewhere, is waiting to read the beautiful words that we write!