Hop

Freelance writing is an odd career.

Some days it's a dream. Actually a dream, my dream. The dream I had when I was 15 and a teacher told me I'd written a good story and my mind told me I should be a writer. But some days it's not a dream. It's not a nightmare either. Just some days the words don't come, because the ideas don't spark them, because the stories aren't there, because the experiences haven't happened.

I've never been busier. For six months, I've been speaking to businesses and agencies every day. They've been offering me big projects and small projects with big brands and small brands. I've written a handful of voice and personality guides, tens of internal communications documents, lots of reports, quite a few websites, Facebook blurbs, event invitations and much more.

But machines aren't creative. They don't have the experiences that bring the stories that spark the ideas that influence the words. It's up to humans to be creative - to embrace our imaginations and dream.

Creative people need to let life do strange and interesting things to them. Not just let but encourage. I've learned that in my two years of freelancing. Surround yourself with interesting people and challenging situations. Hop from your comfort zone. Speak to that drunk man who wants your money and ask him where he's from. Say yes to that invitation to a stranger's house. Fly across the world on a whim. And smile, knowing you can hop back when you need to.

Freelance writing is an odd career. Some days it's a dream.

Today it's given me time to think.