Freelance Fiction Writer Tips: How to Improve Your Fiction Writing Skills and Career

Fiction writing is a highly creative and rewarding expression that allows you to convey your imagination, emotions, and insights through captivating stories. When done effectively, it can even be a lucrative endeavor.

However, it’s important to recognize that fiction writing is also challenging and competitive. To succeed, you must develop a distinctive and engaging voice, maintain a strong and consistent writing style, and master essential craft elements such as plot, character, setting, dialogue, and theme. Additionally, staying abreast of industry trends, understanding audience expectations, and accepting feedback from peers and editors are crucial for growth.

If you’re a freelance fiction writer looking to enhance your skills and advance your career, you may wonder how to write stories that attract more readers and publishers, build a dedicated fan base, establish a professional reputation, and increase your income and opportunities. Here are some valuable tips for freelance fiction writers.

How to Write a Fiction Novel as a Freelancer

Writing a fiction novel is ambitious and rewarding for freelancers, showcasing talent, creativity, and expertise. Novels include multiple elements like chapters, characters, subplots, themes, and settings, offering opportunities for wider reach, reputation building, and income through book sales or royalties.

However, writing a novel as a freelancer is challenging, requiring meticulous planning, research, writing, editing, publishing, and marketing. Completion time varies based on length and complexity.

Here are some tips on how to write a fiction novel as a freelancer:

• Identify your genre and audience – Determine the category of your fiction (e.g., romance, fantasy) and the target readers. This decision aids in setting the tone and narrative style tailored to your readers’ preferences.
• Plan your story – Develop an outline detailing the events from start to finish and how you’ll structure these events into chapters. A well-thought-out outline ensures a coherent and engaging narrative.
• Flesh out characters and setting – Dive deep into character creation and world-building. These elements breathe life into your story, making it relatable and vivid.
• Draft your novel – Write the initial version without dwelling on perfection. This phase is about capturing your story’s essence, even if it’s rough around the edges.
• Revise and polish – After completing your draft, take a break before revisions. Seek feedback, utilize grammar tools, and consider hiring a professional editor for a polished final product.
• Publish and promote – Decide on your publishing route (self-publishing vs. traditional). Once published, employ marketing strategies to increase visibility and sales.

Best Practices for Freelance Fiction Writers

As a freelance fiction writer, you must follow some best practices that can help you improve your fiction writing skills and career. Here are some of the best practices for freelance fiction writers:

• Read fiction widely – Reading a wide range of fiction can enhance your writing skills by exposing you to various genres, styles, techniques, and trends. It allows you to learn from other writers, inspiring your ideas and helping you develop your unique voice and style.
• Write daily – Consistent writing hones your craft, boosts creativity, and increases productivity. It combats writer’s block, procrastination, and self-doubt by making writing a habit and integrating it into your routine.
• Seek feedback and critique – Actively seeking feedback and constructive criticism helps you improve by gaining valuable insights and alternative perspectives. It enables you to identify strengths and weaknesses, learn from others, and grow as a writer.
• Continuously learn and improve – Expand your knowledge and skills by taking courses, reading books and blogs, watching videos and podcasts, attending workshops and webinars, or engaging with online writing communities.
• Embrace the process – Enjoying the journey makes fiction writing more fulfilling. It helps you navigate the challenges and uncertainties of freelancing by reminding yourself of your passion and goals as a writer.

How to Find Clients for Freelance Fiction Writing

Securing clients is vital for freelance fiction writers. Clients are individuals or organizations who commission you to write fiction based on specific requirements like genre, plot, characters, theme, tone, style, and length.

Finding clients for freelance fiction writing opens doors to more opportunities, income, and recognition. Nevertheless, it can be challenging and competitive, often accompanied by competition, rejection, or potential exploitation. Here are some tips on how to find clients for freelance fiction writing:

Create a portfolio and website

Creating a professional portfolio and website is crucial for attracting clients in freelance fiction writing. Showcase your skills, services, and fiction writing samples to entice potential clients seeking writers in your niche or genre. Ensure your portfolio includes a compelling bio, contact information, testimonials, rates, and examples of your fiction writing projects or products.

Leverage online platforms and marketplaces

Utilize online platforms and marketplaces tailored to fiction writers, like Reedsy, to connect with clients in need of fiction writing services or products. Set up a profile, browse projects or requests, submit proposals or bids, and get paid for your work through these platforms.

Network and pitch to potential clients

Build relationships and gain the trust of potential clients by networking and pitching your services. Engage with publishers, editors, agents, magazines, blogs, podcasts, websites, or businesses that utilize fiction writing for entertainment, education, or marketing. Attend relevant events, join groups or communities, send emails or messages, make calls or video calls, or arrange in-person meetings to network and pitch your skills to potential clients.

How to Deal With Feedback and Rejection as a Freelance Fiction Writer

At some point, every freelance fiction writer has to deal with criticism and rejection. Even though these responses can help people grow, they can also be hard on their confidence. Here are some tips on how to deal with feedback and rejection as a freelance fiction writer:

• Be open-minded and respectful – Feedback and rejection reflect different perspectives, not personal attacks. Appreciate their potential to improve your work and thank the giver politely and professionally.
• Be selective and objective – Filter useful information from bias. Evaluate the source’s expertise, reputation, and intentions. Focus on factual evidence and examples rather than emotions or assumptions.
• Be proactive and positive – Take action based on feedback. Identify strengths and weaknesses, set realistic goals, and create a plan. Celebrate achievements, maintain a positive mindset, and remember your passion, purpose, and potential as a writer.

Conclusion

Freelance fiction writing is a creative and rewarding career that can help you express your imagination, emotions, and ideas through stories that can entertain, inspire, and educate your readers. However, freelance fiction writing is also a challenging and competitive career that requires a lot of skill, practice, discipline, and perseverance to create engaging and original stories that stand out.