I often get emails from writers who'd like to freelance, but are nervous. On the one hand, they have paid employment. They don't enjoy it, but at least it's a regular pay check. On the other hand, yawns the abyss. :-)
Over the next few weeks, I'll present a series of tips on surviving and thriving as a freelance writer.
First, let's look at a few of the benefits of freelancing ---
As a freelancer, you choose the work you do. Since you get a wide variety of work, you're rarely bored. You can work wherever you happen to be (in a coffee shop, waiting for the kids while they play sport, in your backyard). You're free to refuse work. You can raise your rates when it's appropriate. Since there's just you, there are no office politics to be endured. You can work from midnight to dawn, or any other hours which suit your temperament.