You Might Be a Freelancer If You're ...

Patient. You send out queries and LOIs. You hear nothing. You do not throw things at the wall, because you know this process takes time.

Persistent. Once you’ve been patient enough, you follow up. Again. And again. And then you send out another batch of queries and LOIs because You. Will. Not. Give. Up.

Confident. You know you’re talented. You know you have a great concept to sell. You’re a terrific—terrific—writer. Just because the people you’re pitching to are too blind to see it doesn’t mean you're not great.

Creative. You’re an idea person. You come up with new story concepts in the shower. On the treadmill. When you’re washing the dishes. You create story ideas on the fly but also know how to take a pitch that falls flat and craft it anew for a different editor or publication.

Thorough. Your queries are thoroughly researched, and the stories you write are even more so. You ask the hard questions of your sources. And you have a proofreader’s eye when it comes time to make final changes to your own writing. In other words, you are methodical and meticulous every step of the way.

Flexible. You get a last-minute assignment and have to work through most of the weekend to get it done. OK. Will do. Your editor has changed her mind and wants you to write a totally different article from the one you originally turned in. On it. You don’t get pushed around, but you are accommodating to clients’ needs.

Frugal. When the assignments (and the checks that go along with them) are coming in, you’re happy as can be. You may even splurge on something nice—perhaps that new laptop you desperately need or even a new outfit for when you actually get out of the house. But you know better than to go blow all that cash in one place, because this month might be a monsoon but next month there’s a very real chance you’ll be in a drought. Serious money management is the key to many a freelancer’s success.

Business-savvy. You know what editors are looking for in a query. You know how to craft your words in such a way that readers say wow. But beyond that, you can also keep your own books. You know what you need to know to run your business—and you know that as fun and fanciful as freelancing can be, it is a business.

Passionate. There are ups and there are downs in the freelancer’s life. You’re willing to take them all in stride because this is what you love. This is what you want to do. You can’t imagine yourself in an office working a 9-to-5 or behind the counter of a 7-11 or doing anything besides this right here—even on the tough days, it’s the best job in the world.

Now, freelancers, it's your turn: What did I miss?

Photo: Steve 2.0