A
s a student, I was always
the first to volunteer
to write articles for the
annual yearbook. I took
great pride in seeing my name and
work published, but I never imagined
that one day someone would pay me
for it.
For writers like me, freelance
writing is a natural fit. With two
small kids at home, heading back into
full-time work outside the home just
doesn’t make sense right now. Flexible
hours, the ability to take on only
those assignments that inspire me, the
freedom to work only with editors I get
along with, the opportunity to explore
my passion for writing – plus a vital
link to the outside world – all add up
to one happy mum.
A flexible fit
My journey into the freelance world
in Hong Kong started after the birth
of my first son. A parenting blog I
created started to pick up some steam
and I decided it was time to cast a
wider net. I reached out to
Playtimes
editor-in-chief Tracey Starr, and
within a few weeks I was writing my
first article for this magazine.
Former PR pro (and regular
Playtimes
contributor) Angela Baura
had a similar start. Angela says, “I
worked in the PR industry in the UK
and Hong Kong for over 12 years
before I became pregnant with my first
child. Health complications during my
pregnancy meant that I needed to stop
working in an industry that requires
long hours, travel, and entertaining
clients and journalists.
“By the time my eldest daughter
turned 18 months, though, I was
desperate to begin writing again.”
Another baby followed, and then,
with two babies at home, Angela
needed something that was mentally
stimulating, but also very flexible.
Jill Mortensen, another regular
Playtimes
contributor, also has a
background in PR, but also knew
very early on that she wanted to
write. Jill says, “I studied journalism
at university and have spent most
of my career in public relations
and marketing for pharmaceutical
companies, which requires a lot of
research and writing.” Now that she’s
a mum to two daughters, Jill combines
her research and writing skills, her
desire to write and her quest to learn
as much as she can about being a
parent, and has found
Playtimes
a
perfect outlet for her outputs.
But, of course, it’s not just new
mums with PR backgrounds who seek
out freelance writing opportunities.
Writer Dicky Woollard was once a
businessman, but had a passion for
storytelling. His wife’s career led them
from Singapore to Hong Kong, where
he started freelance writing. Dicky
says, “Most of the writing that I do
Freestyle
If you’ve got great writing skills and the energy to
promote yourself, freelance writing might be the
right career for you, says
Brooke Chenoweth.
Decemeber 2013
87
