August 26, 2008
Are you a medieval mercenary?
freelance (n.):
- A person who sells services to employers without a long-term commitment to any of them.
- An uncommitted independent, as in politics or social life.
- A medieval mercenary.
Huh?
A freelance is a medieval mercenary? As in, a soldier who fights in a foreign army, motivated solely by a desire for money? So THAT explains the email I got last week from the Hessians …
When it comes to freelance writing, I do not consider myself a “medieval mercenary.” Sure, I am a soldier in the army of good copy, fighting the evils of the dangling participle and run-on sentence. Protecting the world from unnecessary capitals and misplaced semicolons.
But I’m not motivated solely by a desire for money. Of course, money is important, and SmithWriting aims to make a lot of it. However, I would never take a job that I am ethically opposed to (sorry, National Crack Dealers Association), no matter how high the pay. Nor would I take any money that I did not earn fairly and honestly.
What motivates me is the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with writing clear and informative copy for clients I respect. Whether I’m working on an ad, a marketing brochure, or a Web site, I’m inspired to write it well to satisfy my clients and keep them coming back for more.
What about you freelances out there? What motivates you? What army do you fight for?
Filed by rebecca at 12:50 pm under The freelancing life
Yeah, yeah, yeah… very nice. Now, can we please have more pictures of the dog?
I’ll work on it, Dad
Love you!
I’m no mercenary but sometimes when I’m editing I feel like I’m at war with really bad copy (or really bad clients)! I should wear a uniform.
Jamie: You could carry a red pen for a sword and a stylebook for a shield!
@Rebecca: What a great post. And I laughed out loud!
What motivates me? Pretty much the same as you, but from an editing standpoint. I like to improve and fix things. I like making people sound good. I like making them feel happy and also giving them hope where publication is concerned. I fight for the love of English as it was meant to be, as it can be.
Working from home also motivates me. I simply do not want to have an outside job!
That’s really part of the definition of freelance? Obviously archaically carried over from free lance, as in lance for hire. To keep it as part of the definition of freelance now seems a bit, well, archaic. Not a freelance writer yet, but hoping to be. And I know I will only accept jobs I that I am ethically okay with.
Thanks, Steph! Your clients are lucky to have you
I’m totally with you: I don’t think I could ever go back to an office job unless I really, really had to. I feel that I manage my time much better from home. And I’m much more productive!
Urban Panther: Funny, right? You would think that that particular definition would be lost by now, but there it is. Guess there’s a large medieval mercenary lobby in the dictionary world.
Good luck pursuing your freelance writing dreams! From what I’ve read on your blog, you’ve got the talent to go very far.
Actually, I was thinking that I’m glad that bit’s still in the dictionary. I edit a lot of history books, and I end up having to look up words like that for their older meanings.
@ Rebecca: Um, I don’t. I mean, I do not manage my time better from home, and I’m certainly not more productive. But don’t anyone ever tell me I can’t freelance because I’m not suited to it! It’s just a matter of time management. I can learn. Er - someday!