Has your freelance writing taken over your life?
It takes a lot to establish a freelance writing business.
You have to gain confidence in your work, develop the chops to produce it within a certain timeframe, and deliver it on demand.
Hopefully, along the way you've also started learning how to cull your assignments so that you're doing work you truly care about—at least a little bit of the time.
I've spent years and years coaching writers just like you, and I know how much effort goes into building a successful writing business. But I'd like to talk to you about something else today.
The cost—the actual cost—of running that business and putting so much of your effort into meeting other people's demands.
Because if you're reading this, chances are you also have a creative bone in your body. A creative spark!
Maybe you have a nonfiction book proposal you'd like to finish, or a novel tucked away on your hard drive or in a file drawer. Some independent writing project you've been longing to return to for a long, long time.
Somewhere along the way, the independent business you've worked so hard to build has begun dominating your time and attention.
Many people, when they first start working with me, simply want relief from how overwhelming their writing businesses have become.
And that's a good place to begin.
Beyond relief? The freedom to write what matters.
But over time, we start to lift our eyes from the day-to-day demands and look at the bigger picture. We begin to see that so much more is possible.
With thoughtful, strategic decisions—and small, deliberate steps—you can begin turning your writing business into a business that actually works for you.
One that supports your ambitions rather than consuming all your energy.
One that makes room for the projects you've been longing to pursue.
A business that meets your practical needs efficiently. And feels good to work in, too.
Because what we're trying to free up isn't just “more time.”
It's your mind—that spaciousness, creativity, and joy you need to do work that really matters to you.
You can start now.
You don't necessarily have to wait for “someday,” when the deadlines ease up or your business finally feels manageable.
You can begin making different choices now.
If this sounds like something you're longing for, I'd love to help you think through what's possible.
I'm Marla Beck, a writing career coach and strategist. For more than twenty years, I've helped writers make thoughtful changes in their careers and lives so they can pursue the work that matters most to them.
You can find me at marlabeck.com. This link sends you over to my contact form, if you'd like to talk.
I'd love to help you start making your writing business work for you—and make more room for your own writing.