Halloween reading for writers: Ghosting, stalking and more

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2024-10-01 04:30:05

Freelance writing has given me access to many incredible experiences – things I might not have had the money (or guts) to do on my own.

From spending several days on board a luxury superyacht and snorkelling in the Maldives to diving with sharks and hiking through rainforest to the site of an historic plane crash, freelance writing, as a career, has definitely opened doors.

But amid the frolicking in the sun, and all the fun and adventure, there’s been the occasional jump scare too. Anyone who’s been freelancing for more than a few years will agree that, just like in the fairytales, there are wolves lurking in the woods, and bogeymen under the bed.

In addition, creative professionals are commonly beset by mindset hurdles, such as Imposter Syndrome, burnout, procrastination, and writer’s block. They have industry challenges such as frequent rejection and the onward march of AI to contend with. And then there are simple daily tests such as finding time to be creative, coming up with new ideas, and simply getting started.

In the spirit of Halloween, here’s a round-up of four of the more formidable challenges freelance writers come up against – along with tried-and-tested tips on how to handle them.