Freelancer in Focus for September 2007 - Fiona Friend

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Description How have you found working freelance? What are the highs and lows, the frustrations and the bonuses? I’ve been self-employed since 1982 – I had my own company and then, since 1990 I’ve been freelance, just occasionally sub-contracting work. The highs – I still enjoy the freedom – and the buzz I still get when a client commissions me to do a project or thanks me for helping them. The lows – not being paid - rarely happens now because I’m careful who I work for! Then there are the peaks and troughs syndrome – work always seems to come in great surges followed by droughts. I still panic after 25 years but it’s getting better! Has being a member of Freelancers In The UK helped you? We’d like to think so but how? Yes, definitely – I’ve received several pieces of work and most importantly, links to my website. Working freelance can be isolating in between client visits, so I build in people time and listen to the radio …Freelancers in the UK is another link. What are the biggest challenges for you for the rest of 2007? Being focussed on my own creative writing. I tend to fit it in between paid freelance work – mainly copywriting for charities and publishers and work where I’m using creative writing with people in recovery from addiction. So my own writing always comes bottom of the list. But I’ve now had two short stories published and it’s spurred me on to finish my novel and try different forms of writing. I go to a writers’ group and have done so for the past few years – that’s great for me because you receive feedback and meet other writers. 4. Who’s your favourite actor and why? Tom Conti has to be my favourite actor – a fantastic Scottish/Italian mix. I’m half Scots and Irish and blame lots of things on my Celtic origins!