Freelancing is a tough gig; anyone will tell you that. When you’re starting out, maybe you’re doing so as a hobby income on the side; something that you enjoy doing, that you think could make you a few extra $$$ on the side. When you make the transition from it being a hobby-income to a means to support yourself, sh*t gets real. You’ve gotta learn to own your craft and back yourself and your skills, while maintaining enough humility to recognise that there is always room for improvement.

Earlier this week, I submitted my first review with OnlineBookClug.org, where I am registered as a reviewer, who receives novels in exchange for honest reviews. The premise is that if your reviews are honest, thoughtful and well-written, you can progress through the racks to being one of their paid reviewers.

I had always thought of myself as a good writer. Somewhat thoughtful, grammatically correct, and generally pretty articulate.

When I was preparing to submit my first review for The Altitude Journals, I was reasonably confident. I liked the book, sure, but had given an honest review about my thoughts on possible improvement, or what I would have liked to see improve. I was confident that my review would be well received…… until I saw the the editor comments on my review.

Out of a possible score of 100; I had been deducted TEN POINTS EACH for the incorrect use of two semi-colons, and two run-on sentences, along with some other minor things; bringing my score down to 42/100!  WHAT.

Now now, my dear readers, I know this upset may not quite resonate with you. Maybe you came to this website to read about health, nutrition and travel, and here I am wailing about semi-colons and unfortunately long sentences.

But the point is this; if that review had of been submitted and received with flying colours (and full marks), I would be on my way to becoming a paid reviewer. So receiving such deductions was disheartening, and means I have to wait an additional 14 days for the NEXT book to be released to me, so that I can try again.

Rather than take it to heart (*sob*), I am taking measured steps to improve. I’ve downloaded some holiday reading (lol, what holiday?) on improving copy writing and editing skills as well as compiling book reviews. I know after reading these my skill set will be stronger, and I will also have more confidence in my ability. I will continue to write reviews on other products and services through both this website, as well as Goodreads, as part of my ENJOYMENT of reading and writing, not just as a job.

Freelancing is a tough gig emotionally, as well as financially. Your next project is not always guaranteed, and sometimes even when you submit results that you are super happy with, your client wants to change so much that you barely recognise yourself in the results any more. And that sucks.

Its important to keep your skin thick; rejection is part of the game, and its vital that you keep yourself young with it. Some of us have been working on our craft longer than others, some are complete novices at the “freelancing” part of what we do, but across the entire spectrum; we all have room to improve. There are always ways to be better, more efficient, more articulate and creative. Learning is part of the game, and you have to play the game in order to succeed.

Good luck!

Check out this post on how Freelancing Perks and Pitfalls, or one of my reviews on Goodreads, or OnlineBookClub.org