I’m about to be very, very cliche: I’ve always wanted to be a writer. There, I said it, go ahead and roll your eyes.

Now, I’ve considered freelance writing as a profession. I like part of it, and hate part of it. I love that it’s a great way to actually make a living writing. However, to make a living at it, most freelancers have to write about subjects they don’t care about according to someone else’s rules, and often have little time or energy for the writing that they want to do. I understand all about “paying your dues”, but to my mind, if you’re not enjoying it, why did you quit your safe, normal job that has benefits?

Mostly I’d like to be a professional novelist- but it can be extremely difficult to make a living at that unless/until you really hit it big. Plus, I have too many other things that I want to write about, both non-fiction and fiction. So, since I can’t find a more specific title- I want to be a writer.

Right now I’m eking out very little money for the writing I’m doing. Mostly it’s reviews for books and Cd’s, but I’m working on a few articles that I actually want to write (they don’t pay as much as articles that I don’t want to write, but most do pay), and blogging. The blogging doesn’t pay at all, aside from AdSense, and the reviews usually don’t pay, but I get free books, Cd’s, and occasionally, chocolate. And right now it’s not such a bad deal. I still have my normal, safe job with benefits, and I’m getting some experience and clips. That’s a good thing. Plus, the blogging and the reviews keep my fingers on the keyboard- and a procrastinator like me really has to have motivation to keep working.

As this is only the first post (and I need to work on some other projects), I’m going to leave it at that. However, I may be writing this for myself, but I’m always open to comments. Particularly those of constructive criticism, advice, friendliness, and offers of chocolate.