It takes just one rerun of Sex and the City to get my blood boiling. Loved the show. Hated the message that a writer living in one of the most expensive cities in the country and writing ONE COLUMN in a freakin’ newspaper could afford $800 shoes, a Manhattan apartment, and be blessed with designer outfits and rent control. Sorry. I’m not buying it. It’s urban legend, and it can never be real.
But that’s the image we freelancers are cast in, isn’t it? We lounge around coffee shops, listen to Beatnik poetry, and make tons of money in our slippers. We barely have to lift a finger! We show up and we’re showered with accolades, cash, and the glamour that comes with a writing life. Pardon me while I let the sarcastic laughter die down.
Truth is we work our arses off for a paycheck, and rarely do we see the kind of money that would afford us much better than a cardboard box in an alley on the Upper East Side. Some of us struggle to make $30K a year while others would kill to make that much. That’s not to say we don’t do well – when we hustle and market, we do very well. I’ve known writers who pull in $100K or better annually. That’s the exception.
The rule is this – if you’re just starting out in this business, you have to understand that the reality is much different than the myth. We do work in our slippers, but it could be because we can’t afford shoes. And we certainly aren’t buying Manolo Blahniks or Jimmy Choos. How about Keds and Payless? The job is tough, and if you’re not willing to work hard at marketing, learning your business and perfecting your craft, it’s never going to pay off, and certainly not in the glamorous life it’s portrayed to be. And that’s a side beef – why do writers who know better paint such a glowing image? Where’s the counting pennies to buy milk or the debate over whether to pay for the doctor visit (no insurance, you see) or the phone bill?
Newbies, please. Take a hard look at this life before jumping in and hanging out your shingle. You may have talent, you may have grand notions, but do you have the ability to hang in there by your toenails when the checks are late and the bills are due? Can you market yourself constantly? Can you live on the edge and love it? Can you live without a steady check or a Mark Jacobs jacket? If not, get out now while you still have your original hair color.
Eventually, Carrie Bradshaw sold a book. Wee. That paid for her $40K in shoes. Or did it?
Writers, what are some of the toughest things you face as freelancers?
The worst thing to deal with are the banks. The rates fluctuate constantly, you can’t reasonably budget. Congress passed legislation stating that they can no longer do this, and they whined that they needed until 2010 to “recalibrate” computers. Yet they can cut our credit and raise our rates and not inform us until after the fact with a single keystroke. And, if you protest, they cut you back farther and then charge you for being over limit.
And, it would be really, really nice to be able to afford a doctor and get my health issues seen to before they land me in the hospital.
If the banks would start dealing with people in a reasonable and humane manner, especially the customers who have always paid bills and more than the minimum instead of saying, “Bend over and spread them so we can hurt you some more” — it would be possible to work without the constant stress and having to make up for shortfalls that shouldn’t be there, but that the bank creates.
It’s as though banks are run by proctologists, isn’t it, Devon?
Health care. Hands down. The whole situation is insane.
I’m fortunate to live in Mass, where healthcare is (relatively) affordable. I’m constantly fighting the perception that writers must have a trust fund or a wealthy spouse. Most of us don’t.
At the other end of the spectrum you’ll find people who assume that writers must be starving artists. So not the case!
I’ve often thought the same thing about Carrie Bradshaw! And I’ve had lots of time to re-think it, as I’ve seen every episode 6x. At least.
I think writing, like many other careers, is glamorized on TV and in the movies because producers find the reality too mundane. Who wants to watch a show about a woman who wears Payless shoes and lives off cereal and ramen noodles?
Personally, I would! I’d find a show that describes the gritty reality of the freelance life refreshing. But alas, I fear I have a long time to wait before that happens!
Just a PS on the show — I always hated it. I don’t know of any working women trying to survive in NYC who have the time to be that shallow.
Susan, one of the many reasons I plan to relocate to Mass. is the healthcare — that, and it’s my favorite state, and I was born there!
Devon, I didn’t like it either. I saw one episode, once, and the main character was to me like nails on a chalkboard. Made it even worse that she was a writer, so everyone kept telling me I ought to “relate” to her or some crap like that.
Whatever. I agree with Lori. That’s just a fantasy of a writer’s life.
But what I do find interesting is the dichotomy of the stereotypes. Some people think of Sex in the City, others think of the starving artist.
The truth is, as always, somewhere in between. You can make a good living as a writer, but Lori said, you have to work your butt off to do it.
Good advice. Thanx Lori.
The toughest thing I face…people outside the industry never give me an ounce of respect for what I do, and I think articles like this are why: http://www.ehow.com/how_2326289_have-no-more-pads-tampons.html.
When I read this, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
*Sigh*
Oh, Anonymous, that was awful. I totally agree. Talk about undermining the credibility of real writers.
I hope nobody gets offended by the address I posted. Maybe it’s because it’s two-thirty in the morning, but the article left me bewildered. I still can’t figure out whether it’s supposed to be a joke…I laughed.
Off topic, is there any way I can post my name here if I don’t have a blogspot account.
Anon, you can simply click the Name/URL button, or just type your name at the end of your post. 🙂
Devon and Katharine, I couldn’t agree more on the main character and the vapidness of the people and their problems. It was the whiney factor of the main character that completely unhinged me, but I watched because there was some truth in those characters. Yes, they were one-dimensional, but they represented the many dimensions that we possess. Well, maybe not the sex fiend one, but then again, maybe so!
Great seeing you here, Ruthibelle! I’m enjoying your blog!
LC, there are some pretty nice Payless shoes…. but I get mine off eBay. :))
Me too, Carrie. Watched that show until I could repeat the lines! LOL
Anonymous, I had no idea my panties even had a crouch! Ugh, that was painful to read. And it got 3 out of 5 rating stars!!!
Lori, the thing I found most hard to swallow about SatC was that she would spend so much money on one pair of shoes when she could have bought a dozen or more for the same amount at Designer Shoe Warehouse! Oh well. Sometimes you just have to suspend your disbelief.
For me, the toughest thing about freelancing is having to market myself when every fiber of my being fights against it. I hate, hate, hate networking. I consider myself lucky because I’m covered by my husband’s insurance, but in this economy who knows if he’ll even have a job tomorrow?
Freelancing isn’t glamorous, and it isn’t for the faint of heart (and apparently it causes abnormal EKGs–wink, nudge), but it’s worth every cute pair of shoes I’ve had to live without because I love it.
And sadly, Amie, marketing is part-and-parcel. God, I agree. It’s almost as though you’re begging for someone to pay you. But in actual fact, it’s convincing them that they need what you have.
And you’re networking right now. Just take the word “work” out of it. :))
Well, I never think about it until I read your post today 6.24 Pm
(Indonesia time)
Honestly, I adore Carrie Bradshow, from the way she think. But trully speaking, I also jeleous for her lifestyle,like you say could afford $800 shoes, a Manhattan apartment, and be blessed with designer outfits and rent control, etc.
I even push my friend become a writer for that (OMG)
Well, your post tell me more about real life. Itn’t like the movie.
Thanks Lori 🙂