Freebird

I've always thought that the idea of becoming a freelance writer sounded so, - well...free.

It'd be like goin' rogue - no bureau, no ties, no editors. Your deadlines are the ones you set, your topics the ones you choose. No one to hold you back, no one to tell you "no" or scoff when you want to do a story on, say, cupcakes.

Frankly, it sounds like this totally ideal existence, -one where you get to write about and investigate absolutely anything that might spark your interest. And I guess that's true - provided that you are entirely financially independent and in no way obliged to meet someone else's expectations.

Unfortunately, for most of us (at least the most of us that I'm familiar with) such a reality will probably never cease to be a dream. And, as I've come to learn, even those among us that decide to shun authority and forge their own little path of creativity will, at some point or another, have to tailor their product for a higher power of some sort.

Today Tammy Lytle, a freelance journalist, came and spoke with us about her job. She used to, however, be the bureau chief for the Miami Sentinel, and had worked for several other publications prior to cutting loose. Therefore, Tammy had already built up the oh-so-necessary network of people seemingly needed to do anything in this white city of connections.

She also has to tweak her "tone" and writing style for each outlet for which she gets commissioned to write. It's hard enough relearning to write in one distinct style without having to alter it every time you decide to pursue a different story. Sheesh.

Apparently, as a freelance journalist, you can either write about whatever you'd like, and then "pitch" your stories to various publications with the hope that they will then finance your hard labor, or - if you succeed at building up a good enough reputation - eventually editors from various outlets will actually call you and ask for you to cover a specific story or topic. This is more along the lines of what Tammy has begun to do (though I guess I don't see how different that is from working for an organization - the fact that you now have an array of editors..?). In order for this to happen, though, you have to sort of build your own "brand" - one that people trust and are willing to invest in, and to do this you need to exhibit a staunch set of ethics and a strong sense of moral integrity.

It sounds tough - and kind of draining, to be honest. I'd almost rather have someone regulating my stories than be saddled with the added stress of having to please a huge diversity of employers all while upholding this rigid set of ethical guidelines.

I'm starting to understand that, as a journalist, there's no easy way out. You kinda gotta give it everything, or nothing at all - whether you're "free" or not.

ay karumba.