Kelly James-Enger,
Freelance Writer and Author of Six-Figure Freelancing
By Jennifer Minar
After five relatively unenjoyable years working as an attorney, Kelly
James-Enger struck out on her own to become a full-time freelance writer.
In her new role, she quickly learned that making it as a full-time freelance
writer wasn't easy. But she's one of the few who not only survived but thrived
in her pursuit and learned how to make more than a decent living.
Specializing in health, fitness, and nutrition, she has now written for more
than 50 national magazines including Family Circle, Health, Parents, Redbook,
Self, and Woman's Day. She also has several books to her credit, including
Six-Figure Freelancing, a highly regarded book that explains to aspiring
freelance writers the many fundamentals of writing as a business.
This month, we had a chance to catch up with James-Enger to get her insight on
what it takes to truly make it as a full-time freelance writer. Here's what she
had to say.
What inspired you to write Six-Figure Freelancing?
I'd written my first book, Ready, Aim, Specialize! Create Your Own Writing
Specialty and Make More Money, several years ago and it focused on how
specializing could make writers more productive. But there was a lot about
running your writing as a business, developing relationships, boosting
productivity, and the like that I didn't have room for. When I was asked to
speak on a panel on six-figure freelancing, I realized the outline for my
12-minute speech was also a brief outline for a book. I pitched it and Random
House bought it!
What have been the most rewarding aspects of being a full-time freelancer?
I do love being the captain of my own ship, so to speak. I choose the work I
take on instead of being handed the crappy cases by a partner (I was a lawyer in
my former life). That doesn't mean I always love what I'm working on, but I
definitely like the feeling of being more in control. After nine years of being
self-employed it would be pretty much impossible to go back to "working for the
man."
The most challenging?
Well, the first couple of years I found the isolation of freelancing difficult.
But I've discovered my inner introvert and now prefer working alone. I think a
real challenge for any self-employed person is the constant battle not to let
your job take over your life. Sometimes I still have to work nights and weekends
to meet a big deadline, but I've learned to set better boundaries for myself
when it comes to work.
What do you think are some of the misconceptions "wannabe" full-time
freelancers have?
Ah, misconceptions. There are a lot! Some popular ones:
- You get to write whatever you want when you freelance. (Not true if you want
to make a living-- you will take on projects that don't necessarily thrill you.)
- You get to write whenever you feel like it-- or whenever the muse shows up.
Again, not true-- you're running a business, not pursuing writing as a hobby.
- You don't have to market your work. In other words, the romantic fantasy of
the tortured artist in the garret is great, but you can't lie around hoping that
someone will seek you out. You have to get out there and query, pitch, market,
make cold calls-- whatever it takes.
- You don't have to approach your writing like a business. (Kind of encapsulates
#1 and #2.)
I could go on and on, but those are the biggies, I think.
What would you say are the most important qualities one
needs to possess in order to be a successful freelance writer?
Aside from some writing skill (although you needn't be Margaret Atwood), you
need to be persistent, flexible, driven (you're the one who's responsible for
making sure you get your work done, after all!), interested in the world, and
resilient. People skills and an abundance of energy are also huge plusses.
How important is it for freelance writers to follow up
on the phone after sending their pitch to an editor?
I think it depends on the editor. I used to follow up in writing after sending a
query; now I usually call or e-mail a week or two later, but I've got years more
experience than I did when I started out. I think one or two follow-up calls are
fine; after that, you're probably going to annoy the editor. If he or she wants
the piece, the editor will get in touch.
In what situation(s) would you recommend a freelance writer not follow up on
a query with a phone call?
If you're a new writer with no experience/no clips, it may not be worth it,
especially if you're pitching a national magazine. On the other hand, one
follow-up call takes one minute and may help you get the assignment, so why not?
Do you find it a good marketing tactic to write letters to editors to simply
introduce yourself?
Depends on the market. I've had good success with that technique to custom
publications and trade magazines. My experience with consumer magazines, though
(and I've written for 50 national magazines) has been that they want you to
query.
Describe your workspace.
I've always had an office since I started freelancing. Currently it's small-- 9
by 9, with a desk and return, several bookshelves, and several filing cabinets.
In my office I have my laptop/docking station, an all-in-one copier/scanner/fax,
tape recorder/headset, and two-line telephone. Also vertical files for
organization, a stereo, and a couple of prints on my walls, along with the usual
collection of photos, etc., including lots of my five-month-old baby boy. Alas,
there are also usually stacks of stuff to be recycled and empty Diet Mountain
Dew cans lying around my office-- as well as an 80-pound golden retriever
snoozing under my desk.
Why do you write?
That's easy. Writing's my job, and I'd rather do this for a living than anything
else. That's why I write nonfiction, which pays my bills. I write fiction and
essays (which pay but not nearly as well), though, because I'm always fascinated
by people and why they act the way they do.
What are some of your favorite writing books?
In addition to my own [smile], I think Bob Bly's Write More, Sell More
has great tips for being more productive. The Renegade Writer by Diana
Burrell and Linda Formichelli is great for newer writers who need guidance
getting started. The ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing is excellent and
covers a wide range of writing subjects. And for inspiration, both Pen on
Fire and Dojo Wisdom for Writers are great reads.
Do you have a favorite writing-related quote?
It's not writing-related specifically, but I have a simple rough framed drawing
on my office wall that features man in a sailboat and quotes an old Chinese
proverb. Below it, it reads, "If there is no wind, row." That's probably the
best advice for freelancers I've heard.
If a writer were to glean only two or three pieces of wisdom from
Six-Figure Freelancing, what would you like those to be?
- Treat your writing like a business, not a hobby.
- Look for ways to work as efficiently as possible. Your time is limited, so you
want to make the most of it.
- Develop relationships with editors, experts, and other writers. As you grow
your business and develop a good reputation, you'll be amazed at how much easier
it is to get work (assuming you do a good job, of course).
You can reach Kelly James-Enger via her website at
www.BecomeBodyWise.com.
Jennifer Minar is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and the
editor-in-chief of
www.WritersBreak.com. To subscribe to her complimentary monthly writer's
ezine, send an e-mail to
subscribe@writersbreak.com. She can also be contacted at
jminar@writersbreak.com.
