Freelance Writing Full-time –What Was I thinking?

I've been a writer for years. I was an intern for a local newspaper in college while also writing for my college paper. When I graduated I got an advertising position at a major newspaper. I wanted to experiment and see whether I would like it more. I had images of what it would be like to have this high-powered, corporate job. Within six months that job was sucking the life out of me. I was so miserable that I was considering charting a plane to Africa to do missionary work as advertised on a flyer I picked up on a park bench during lunch one day. I even called to find out how to sign up, but it cost more money than I had at the time so I stayed.

Eight years later (yes, you heard right. I said eight years later), after two promotions and an advertising sales award that I'm still not sure how I won, I quit. But I didn't quit because I had guts or anything like that. I quit because I was pregnant with twins, had an 18 month old already at home, and my husband convinced me that the daycare expenses alone wouldn't be worth showing up for anymore.

I immediately started freelancing here and there for a couple of small publications. It wasn't until something drastic happened in my life. We needed an income fast and I was teetering on the brink of trying to figure out how to make a go of it as a full time business. But there was no more time for that. I started reading everything online that I could, closed my eyes and just jumped in. That was about nine months ago and I've never looked back.

Honestly, I could kick myself for not doing it sooner. It's the scariest thing I've ever done, but I didn't have time to sit around and talk myself into doing it. Thankfully that worked out for me. A lot of my friends and family don't get it, but I can't get enough! Whenever I get a new client it's like winning the lottery – although I've never actually won… I am a sponge absorbing every bit of education and information I can get my hands around! It hasn't all been perfect -- I've made a few rookie mistakes, but I'm still here and the bills are getting paid. That's my story. What's yours?