Have always dreamed about something, but instead of pursuing it, you pushed it away? Have you always wanted to write, but never got around it? Have you always told yourself, "I want to be a writer" but afraid to do so?

I began writing when I was in high school. I wrote poems, stories, and I secretly enjoyed writing essays on exams while my classmates abhorred it. But when I got to college, I tried to "fit in" with the world. ...

After a few months of research, indecision, and excitement, you're finally ready. You're going to launch your writer website and start pitching clients. But, there's one massive problem chewing away at every fiber of your determination: you don't have a portfolio. How can you get work when clients expect to see examples of your amazing wordcraft skills, when you have yet to obtain any clients? Take a deep breath, and stop shaking i...

Any modern professional knows that LinkedIn provides a ton of opportunities for career and business advancement. It lets you connect with colleagues, gives you a platform to showcase your work, and makes you more visible online.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. LinkedIn is so much more than just a social network that can “put you out there”. When used correctly, the site can help you create better content, find great sources, and earn more money.

As a self-appointed lifelong student of economics I have found myself acting as an apologist for competition in many conversations. The latest activity in my defense of competition has taken place in the freelance writing and blogging sphere.

The consensus, at least from what I've found, is that freelance writers and bloggers abhor the idea of competition. Instead of competing, they seek to be inclusive and to rely on the act ...

Fear of success is the cause of a common writer's disease called Inertia.

You may be questioning the statement that inertia is a disease. It may not be in the DSM. There may not be a medicine for it. But it is definitely a disease.

Here's why:

• Do you have a history of starting something you love only to quit?

• Do yo...

This is a featured guest post entry by Jessi Stanley for the Freelance Writers Academy Blog Carnival for October 2013. Please welcome her and tell us what you think by posting your comments below. Thank you Jessi Stanley for this great entry!

Being a newbie freelance writer is very, very scary!

I was scared when I gave out my first business cards, when I p...

Have you ever felt like giving up?

As a writer, you will experience stumbling blocks at one time or another in your career. You may face the dreaded white screen frustrated because the words just won’t come. You may submit what you think is your greatest masterpiece only to face a mountain of rejection letters. It may seem at times that no matter what you do, you just can’t seem to take a step forward towards realizing your dream.

Your inner cri...

When I was in elementary school, I would often write stories. Some of them were for school assignments, and others were just stories I would type up on my computer. I often made "family newspapers" where I documented the current happenings of everyone in my family. That was when my love for writing first was sparked.

In high school, I always loved writing essays. All of my friends thought I was crazy, but I looked forward to the classes where we could write in-d...

This is a featured guest post entry by Leah Gonzalez for the Freelance Writers Academy Blog Carnival for August 2013. Please welcome her and tell us what you think by posting your comments below. Thank you Leah Gonzalez for this great entry!

I’ve been a freelance writer for only over a year and so far the best and worst part of being one all boils down to one thing--TIME.

I worked in a corporate office for almost eight years before I jumpe...

This is a featured guest post entry by A. Carina Barry for the Freelance Writers Academy Blog Carnival for August 2013. Please welcome her and tell us what you think by posting your comments below. Thank you A. Carina Barry for this great entry!

You want to know why you want to learn to be a writer, a freelance writer at that? Why you should study hard and listen to your language teacher really, really carefully? Ohhhh, let me tell you!

...