Choice Awaits: Someone to Select You
In the world of writing, success stories often overshadow the challenges that writers face on their journey. Meg Dowell, a nine-time NaNoWriMo winner and a freelance writer, is one such success story.
Despite facing numerous rejections, particularly for writing jobs, Meg persevered and eventually found her place. Today, her work is published in esteemed platforms like Teen Ink, Success Story, Lifehack, and USA TODAY College. She is also the creator of Novelty Revisions, a platform dedicated to helping writers.
Meg's journey began in May 2014 when she graduated from college. Like many aspiring writers, she found it challenging to acquire experience and writing samples without them. Rejection was common in the writing field, and it can be disheartening. However, Meg viewed rejection not as a reason to quit but as a chance to improve or change direction.
One of the key strategies Meg employed was to pursue entry-level writing jobs or internships. These roles, such as writing assistant, junior copywriter, or content writer, do not always require extensive professional experience or degrees. Meg suggests searching job boards and websites specialising in writing positions like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, RemoteRocketship, or dedicated writing job sites that list beginner-friendly roles in copywriting, content writing, editing, and related areas.
Another strategy is to apply for internships or remote freelance contracts that allow you to build a portfolio, gain client feedback, and understand deadlines and professional expectations. Starting with roles like writing assistant or medical scribe, even if they are not purely creative writing jobs, can help develop critical writing foundations.
Creating your own writing samples can also be beneficial, especially when job requirements include providing writing samples for application. This could be blog posts, social media content, or articles that demonstrate your skill.
Exploring freelance marketplaces and remote work platforms that offer entry-level projects where you can practice and showcase writing for different industries and formats can also be beneficial.
Great books often face rejection, and Meg Dowell's story is a testament to the fact that everyone has a place where they belong in the writing world. So, if you haven't found your place yet, keep looking; it's out there. Remember, working without passion will not help you reach your writing goals.
[1] FlexJobs. (2021). Remote Writing Jobs: The Ultimate Guide. Retrieved from https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/4-steps-to-finding-a-remote-writing-job/ [2] Indeed. (2021). How to Write a Winning Cover Letter for a Writing Job. Retrieved from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-write-a-winning-cover-letter-for-a-writing-job [3] Upwork. (2021). How to Write a Winning Freelance Proposal. Retrieved from https://www.upwork.com/resources/how-to-write-a-winning-freelance-proposal/ [4] Freelancers Union. (2021). How to Land Your First Freelance Writing Job. Retrieved from https://www.freelancersunion.org/freelancers-resources/how-to-land-your-first-freelance-writing-job/ [5] Glassdoor. (2021). How to Get a Job as a Freelance Writer. Retrieved from https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/how-to-get-a-job-as-a-freelance-writer/
Meg's dedication to the realm of writing, which encompasses education-and-self-development and personal-growth, is evident in her continuous pursuit of opportunities despite numerous rejections. Her success story underscores the importance of resilience in achieving one's personal and professional goals in the field of writing.
