Curating Connection as a Freelancer
By Ashley Archambault
When I first began freelancing, it could get lonely. It was not like other jobs where you have coworkers with whom to bounce ideas off or solve problems, but writers need watering holes, too. Sometimes there is no one else that understands what you’re going through better than those who have been through it as well.
In time, I found a sense of connection and felt like I was part of a creative community in what is a mostly solitary profession. Here’s how you can find other writers, an endless well of inspiration, and your reason for writing again.
1) Subscribe to newsletters that resonate with you.
For the Writer’s Soul offers free Weekly Reflections on Mondays and “Notes for your Writer-Self” every Friday. There have been several Friday mornings where the note is exactly what I needed to keep going.
Steven Pressfield, who wrote The War of Art, sends an email every Wednesday with a post that often involves dealing with resistance, which is the force that leads to self-sabotage. Pressfield’s weekly reflections on the matter help me keep up the good fight.
Hope Clark’s Funds for Writers newsletter, which I’ve grown to count on and look forward to, is delivered every Friday evening. (By the way, if the thought of getting a writing newsletter on a Friday night sounds exciting to you, then you’re definitely a writer.) Her email is professional and well-rounded, featuring an editor’s note from Hope, a guest article, and a mix of writing opportunities.
Ben Meer’s Sunday morning “Systems” emails can apply to almost everything, like your writing. One recent email was a "System for Smart Decisions.” Plus, I love that they come out on Sunday, a day I like to take for rest and reflection… on my systems.
2) Take an online workshop or join a meeting.
Amber Petty also sends delightful newsletters out each week that include a few good writing opportunities as well as her upcoming classes. I’ve attended her free Pitching Hour, which is normally twice a week and costs $50 a month. Since the meetup is live, you have the opportunity to ask questions or comment in the chat. Last time, I got help with a pitch I was working on, but best of all, I just loved having the chance to talk to people with the same job!
For the Writer’s Soul also offers courses at reasonable fees, even offering scholarships if needed. Sometimes writing can start to feel like plain work, but the artist doesn’t thrive as a worker bee. An artist needs the space to refresh in between creations, and the Writer’s Soul classes allow just that. The lessons are self-paced and involve a blend of writing exercises, meditations, and the opportunity to share your work with peers.
3) Do your homework and listen to other freelancers’ podcasts.
The Creative Penn Podcast for Authors is an hour long listen hosted by writer Joanna Penn. She often has guest authors and discusses self-publishing, the business of writing, and the creative process. After listening to her show, the world of writing suddenly seems so open again.
The Deliberate Freelancer, a freelance business podcast, is hosted by freelancer Melanie Padgett Powers. She sometimes has guests but focuses on the realities of freelancing, such as how to avoid the dreaded feast and famine cycle. In just 45 minutes, you’re guaranteed to get some actionable tips and be motivated to write like your income depends on it.
The Writing Class Radio podcast with hosts Allison Langer and Andrea Askowitz features a short essay read aloud by the writer. After the essay, Langer and Askowitz discuss the piece. They also offer classes, such as the half hour “First Draft” meeting on Mondays and Tuesdays, in which you’ll write for 30 minutes while three students share their work. The classes are $15, but the first is free.
4) Crash and spy on your local book clubs.
It seems there are so many book clubs out there these days, whether it’s among a group of friends, at a local book shop or library, or through a loved celebrity or brand. I’ve been invited to book club meetings as a drop-in and love to see what people have to say about what they’re reading. What stuck with them, or what did they love or hate? I consider the experience an audience study, because on the other side of your writing are those readers.
5) Pay the periodic visit to your local library.
I visit the library regularly, particularly when I need a pick-me-up. In the same vein as the book club study, you can browse the new books and get a feel for the zeitgeist. What’s everyone thinking right now? Then there are books that give me a boost of confidence. I’ll think egotistical things like, “I could do that,” or “I could do better,” and I believe a little more in my abilities again.
I get to touch and hold the final product of someone else’s work. I get to remember what a book can do to you and why I wanted to ever become a writer. If you want to remember your “why,” visit the shelves of a library. It always hits a little more magically than a bookstore. It’s raw, it’s shared; it’s the human experience at your fingertips.
For a while, I envisioned having a handful of good friends who just so happened to be writers, too. These were people I could run story ideas by, ask for advice, analyze rejections, and celebrate wins . Instead, I’ve found other professionals, working toward the same goals and sharing their lessons learned in order to help other writers. As a writer, you need that. You need the boost that comes from human connection. Sometimes it’s what puts enough juice in the engine to just keep on going.
Ashley Archambault is a writer, mom, and native Floridian. Before writing full-time, she worked as a youth librarian and then an English teacher. She shares her lessons in life and writing on My Writing Life, as well as recipes, book roundups, and other cultural musings on the Arrogant Baker blog. When she isn’t reading or writing, you can find her navigating domestic bliss on a long walk with her family.