A freelancer's story...


The good-looking fellow in the picture, the one with four paws, is Meteghan. He is also the smart one. He belongs to my significant other, and is a significant other to the both of us. Whenever I fail to live in the moment - a sin committed by most freelancers - I think of Meteghan. He knows how to live, play and work in the joy of the "now". We should all be so smart!

I am a working writer. The short story is that I write speeches. For anyone who will pay me. It turns out that quite a few are happy to do exactly that since I have writing for clients across North America for well over a decade now. For both public and private sector customers. "My" speeches have delivered in venues all over the world. Prior to that, I worked in government jobs in communications and legislation. The details you don't want to know except to say that's where I cut my speech writing teeth for about 20 years.  That's a lot of words under my belt.

When I tell my colleagues - especially the nine to fivers - what I do for a living, their eyes glaze over at the thought of writing speeches day in and day out. And that makes me smile, and secretly pleased. I smile because I can think of nothing more fun than putting my words in other people's mouths. On topics that they are passionate about. I too can be passionate about just about anything - at least for the length of time it takes to write a speech of substance. By the time I am sick of the subject, the speech is finished and I am on to the next one and a new topic. I guess you could say I am broad but shallow. I know a little about a lot. Makes me great for cocktail parties! As for those professionals for whom the thought of writing a speech is a fate worse than death, well they usually pass the assignment on to me.

So that's me. I write my clients' speeches. And when they leave this earthly paradise, I write their eulogies.

So I come to the freelance table from a very optimistic point of view. Whatever the economy, a freelancer can find a niche. I will never go back to the dark side of being a wage slave. I don't do meetings. I don't get involved in office politics. I don't deal with jerks. My clients love me. I get to play in the sun. And get to be my own boss. What's not to like?

So why don't you join me on this fearless journey. And in the process, take a leaf out of Meteghan's book and live in the joy of the moment. And if I may be so bold, take a look around this web site. I think you will find it an easy read, with useful information to boot. And to quote a very famous freelancer, "that's a good thing."

Copyright© 2002 Colin Moorhouse. All rights reserved.