Fiction Scribe

Writing encompasses more than just fiction, as we all know. I just happen to know a lovely woman who is experienced in freelance writing as well as freelance journalism. It’s a huge pleasure for me to present you an interview with one of my best friends, Elske.

Hi there. Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Elske, and I’m 33 years old and have recently begun a freelance writing and editing career. The work is fairly sporadic, since I still need to establish a name for myself in the tight-knit community, so I also work part-time delivering organic groceries, which is good, because I get free groceries at the end of the week, which helps defer the costs I incur stress-eating while trying to figure out what to do next.

When did you start getting into writing in general?

When I started college part-time. I was working a whole bunch of dead-end jobs and decided to go back to school so I could find more interesting and rewarding work, and I took a creative writing class for kicks. My professor enjoyed my work and even asked me present it during an open house, and that’s when I thought that maybe this writing thing wasn’t such a bad idea: I liked stories, I was good at writing stories, so why not give it a try. I started attending college full-time as an English Major, and switched to Journalism after working on the student paper for two years.

So you’re a freelance writer and journalist. Exactly what does that entail?

For journalism, it entails pitching, pitching and pitching stories, really. You have to provide a lot of interesting ideas and twists on the usual stories in order to get one of them assigned. It takes a lot of energy and brainstorming and research to make a career this way. Many freelancers supplement their journalistic aspirations with corporate writing, which I do as well. I have written everything from advertorials (ads that appear as editorials), to annual reports.

When did you decide to start freelancing? Why?

I decided late last year to freelance, because I was tired of working in an office, and I was tired of doing the same kind of work day in day out.

How do you go about looking for jobs?

Freelancing is all about networking. The old saw about “it’s not what you know but who you knowâ€? is absolutely true. I have kept in contact with people I went to college with, and professors, plus people I used to work with, and they tell me what they know and send jobs, names and information my way.

What do you love about freelancing and journalism?

I love learning new things and meeting people, and I love being able to do it on my own time. I’ve even interviewed people while wearing my PJ’s and sitting in bed – for a low-maintenance woman like me that’s pure heaven.

What do you dislike?

Journalism is very formulaic writing, and I find it difficult to be creative when I’m hemmed in like that. I find ad copy a refreshing change, because that’s all about seducing the reader, whereas journalism is supposedly about about presenting information in an objective manner.

When it comes to your work, is there anything you know now that you wish you would have known starting out?

Hehehe, a lot of things. You need to be on the ball and always pitching stories with unique angles to keep busy as a freelance journalist. They say on average that you write one story for every ten pitches, and if you don’t enjoy that process, then journalism isn’t for you.

So, that’s your work. What do you like to write “on the side”?

I enjoy writing poetry, short stories, and, of course, I have novel ideas brewing as well.

What are your guilty pleasures while writing?

At the moment, I enjoy extended metaphors. I’m almost addicted to them. They’re a good set-up for humour and sometimes can reveal a truth that is harder to recognize when describing a situation just as it is.

Do you have a muse? If so, who or what is it?

People. There is nothing more interesting than people. That’s really what journalism is all about, even if they try to say it’s just the facts. People, what they think, how they behave, what they learn. People are fascinating.

Any advice for freelance writers/journalists?

Yes – if you’re a good writer, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be a good journalist, and vice-versa. Journalism isn’t really about writing, although it is about telling stories.

Any advice for writers in general?

Just keep at it, and don’t let your own doubts and worries stop you. Believe that you can do it, should do it, must do it, and you’ll be fine.

Thank you for your time.

Do you have any more questions for Elske? Let me know and I’ll post them up along with her answers.

freelance, freelancing, freelance writing, journalism, writers, writing