I quit my day job in August 2007 to finally be able to call myself a professional writer, at last acknowledging the first dreams I can remember having (my 2nd-grade scrapbook recorded my aspirations to be a writer, a mother and a singer. One out of three ain’t bad, right?).
I was a little panicked about choosing a name for my company after I gave notice to my former employer, and I spent hours every night after work for two months sweating over the details of starting a new business. I chose Avenue Z Writing Solutions as a somewhat respectable way to keep the Z in my company name without ending up on the bottom of a list of competitors. I had hoped to come up with a name that was a little more inspired, but I kept gravitating toward things that would be too feminine or too silly (the word “Lavender” and ridiculous plays on the word “Write” kept popping up, and they had to be stopped).
Now I’m off and running as a freelance writer from my minuscule apartment in beautiful San Diego, a block from my favorite coffee shop and no more than 20 minutes from some of San Diego’s finest attractions: Balboa Park, the beach, the border, La Jolla. I’m farther away from my family than I’d like, but I get back to Denver when I can.
Good for you! I made an attempt to set up as a freelance copywriter/marketeer after my son was born, but ended up going back to work (small baby+finding myself single+freelancing=road to insanity!)
I’m still intending to go freelance at some point in the future. How did you make the leap from employment? My biggest stumbling block (apart from endless washing and nappies) was trying to persaude someone that they needed my services!
Sarah, I made the leap by jumping off the cliff. I knew it was time for me to make a change, and the idea of starting my own business came to me *after* I gave notice.
Oops.
But I’ve been very lucky so far, and I’m still paying the bills. I highly recommend The Well-Fed Writer’s books about freelance writing.
http://www.wellfedwriter.com/
Beth, congrats on setting out to be your own boss! I think your blog is great, and I am adding you to my blogroll on glutenfreesteve.wordpress.com
Y. Born a “Y”. Married a “Y”. I use my “b.” a lot.
Steve, thanks for the well wishes, and I’m looking forward to that margarita.
b, I’m right there with you with using the b.
“Awesome Z Writing Solutions”?
“Amazing Z Writing Solutions”?
“Apoplectic Z Writing Solutions”?
“Astonishing Z Writing Solutions”?
“Astronomically-Fast Z Writing Solutions”?
“All-Purpose Z Writing Solutions”?
“Actually-I’ll-Never-Make-You-Zzzz Writing Solutions”?
“Apoplectic Z Writing Solutions?”
Hmmmm…. That one kinda grows on you, doesn’t it?
Cool site Beth! Thanks for dropping by mine earlier! Take care and good luck with your career.
I have enjoyed your blog and will check it out some more. Would you consider my blog on your blogroll? Thanks for the consideration.
So how’s the weather in San Diego? I have spent quite a bit of time in Coronado and love it. I just wish I could afford to live there.
Have you ever eaten at the Italian restaurant (can’t remember the name) in San Diego where you have to go through the little grocery store to get to it? That has got to be some of the best food I have ever ate!
Beth
That is wonderful! Good for you for taking the entrepreneurial leap. What sort of writing do you do? I often have to hire bloggers for various blogs that I work with. I would love to add you to my list of resources.
You are awesome! I love to write, but hit a major block,and gave up for years. I just bought three books of writing stuff, and haven’t even opened them, out of fear…. way to go woman, you are an inspiration!