Writing for a living.
It’s 12:43pm and I am in Penang. At Starbucks to be precise, the one right behind Evergreen Hotel. So what am I doing 365 kilometres from home? I am at my in-laws place, my other half’s home town. While the grandparents are cuddling their little O, Big O here has the chance to slip away and do some work here. Yes, work on a Sunday. But it’s not work really, not when you enjoy it.
Remember my blog on being a writer ? "Pen for hire". I’ve been on the ball for the past 6 weeks, written more than 15,000 words. I’ve never in my life written so much in such a short time. I’ve also made more than RM5,000 and that has been very encouraging, especially for a guy who’s had some serious pay cuts due to the employers’ financial difficulties, not to mention the rising oil prices.
What have I written ? Several articles for a telecommunications magazine, two white papers for MNCs and one advertorial to name a few. I have more coming my way and it is getting to be rather overwhelming. I had to stay up all night last Thursday to finish a white paper to be submitted by the client the next morning, it was the fastest RM1,000 I’ve ever made. It’s tough work, considering the fact that I have to go back to my real work the next morning, looking fresh and all. I was a zombie by noon.
I'm getting good feedback for my work too. I've even bought a few good books on the craft of writing e.g. "On Writing Well" by Willian Zinsser. Great book, a definate must read for aspiring writers.
At the rate that the assignments are coming in, I might as well quit my day job and do this full time! Heck, the income can be much higher than my full time job even! But I’m hesitant, because I do have my financial commitments and being a freelancer means that the income is not that stable. Guess I will have to carry on status quo until or if the freelance income becomes more stable.
Let's wait and see.
Remember my blog on being a writer ? "Pen for hire". I’ve been on the ball for the past 6 weeks, written more than 15,000 words. I’ve never in my life written so much in such a short time. I’ve also made more than RM5,000 and that has been very encouraging, especially for a guy who’s had some serious pay cuts due to the employers’ financial difficulties, not to mention the rising oil prices.
What have I written ? Several articles for a telecommunications magazine, two white papers for MNCs and one advertorial to name a few. I have more coming my way and it is getting to be rather overwhelming. I had to stay up all night last Thursday to finish a white paper to be submitted by the client the next morning, it was the fastest RM1,000 I’ve ever made. It’s tough work, considering the fact that I have to go back to my real work the next morning, looking fresh and all. I was a zombie by noon.
I'm getting good feedback for my work too. I've even bought a few good books on the craft of writing e.g. "On Writing Well" by Willian Zinsser. Great book, a definate must read for aspiring writers.
At the rate that the assignments are coming in, I might as well quit my day job and do this full time! Heck, the income can be much higher than my full time job even! But I’m hesitant, because I do have my financial commitments and being a freelancer means that the income is not that stable. Guess I will have to carry on status quo until or if the freelance income becomes more stable.
Let's wait and see.
posted by Orion | 1:08 PM
7 Comments:
Congrats man, If you enjoy the writings it will be fulfiling not to mention the money that comes with it.
thquah: Tq!
mistyeiz: I will be in Penang again this Friday to pick up Mrs. O and little O. They will be spending the week with my in-laws while I'm home alone down here.
whoa thats way cool! hehe good luck on getting more 'projects'!
This is such great news! You must have superb contacts. So very encouraging to hear that it's possible to make a living as a freelance writer in Malaysia... okay lah, maybe not make a living, but cukup makan lor :)
mistyeiz : OK. Let me know when you will be coming to KL so that we can meet up.
irene : I am blessed with good and helpful friends. One of them is a journalist with good contacts.
As a matter of curiosity... would you rather (emphasis 'rather') be a hack or a flack?
;P
percolator : Whichever one is fine with me, as long as I am good at what I do and people are willing for pay me for it ! Just read my latest posting and you shall understand why ...
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