Freelance writing: one year update

Enjoy this picturesque (but inaccurate) representation of a writer’s tools.

It’s been a year since I went freelance! Overall, this year has been more rewarding (financially and quality of life-wise) than I ever thought possible. 

Here’s some work I did this year:

• I wrote 45 stories for The New Orleans Advocate. The total is actually even higher, since a few pieces I wrote for the ADORE section don’t show up on the list, and I’m going to file more stories before the year ends.
• I wrote 10 stories for Thrillist.
• I had pieces accepted in two anthologies, this one published by University of New Orleans Press, and another forthcoming from Beating Windward Press.
• I became advisor for the Driftwood, the University of New Orleans’ student newspaper. This is a fantastic gig. I love working with students and getting their manicure secrets bestowing them with journo wisdom.
• I wrote more content for company blogs, social media accounts and newsletters than I can keep track of. 
• I did some sponsored content, such as this story for Tales of the Cocktail and this story for Marriott Traveler, as well as one-off pieces for a handful of clients.

Looking over the list, it seems like a lot of writing. And it is. But I haven’t felt stressed or overwhelmed. I actually feel like I’m pretty lazy and have a lot of down time, which is awesome. I’ve been able to pursue  hobbies, like pole dancing and music. I recorded and gigged with Shouts and Murmurs at the Mobile Museum of Art in May, and I have a gig upcoming with Sex Party on Dec. 16 at Poor Boys. (We go on at like 2am.)

Anyway, this is a pretty self-congratulatory post, but I am FEELING MYSELF right now. I assumed freelancing would be difficult and I’d be broke and stressed, but it’s been easy and I’m making good money and I’m HAPPY. That’s thanks to my fantastic editors, clients, sources, students, etc.

This is turning into an acceptance speech for an award I both created and bequeathed to myself, but let me just say I am super, super grateful for everyone who supported my writing. And that includes you, for reading this blog.