I’m a freelance writer.  I write for a variety of companies, trying to get information out there about their industry while establishing them as subject matter experts.  It’s good pay, and I work from home, working the hours I want.  I even set up a little website to market my services.

But let me tell you, it’s hard work. You need to know the topic you are writing about.  My clients can come at me with topics ranging from chemical reactions in hair products to the aerodynamics of foreign vehicles.  To do them justice, I have to research this stuff before I can write about it.  If I don’t get the details right, it impacts them and then I’m out of a job.

So my suggestion to aspiring writers is this:  it’s not just a matter of being a good writer.  You need to be good at research and taking direction from others.  If not, you may want to choose a different vocation.