I earn my living from being a full-time essay writer.
Here’s how atypical day looks like for a freelance essay writer.
I’ve been working as a full-time essay writer since 2012, a whopping 8-year joy-ride. Sure, I’ve had my ups and downs, especially in the first two years. But, everything considered, I wouldn’t change a single thing. Working from home, earning a great paycheck, and still having tons of free time is the perfect life for me. You might have guessed that I’m a bit of a hermit. Go figure…..
I will not get into the financial details but suffice to say that I can afford a very comfortable lifestyle without worrying about the mundane things such as paying the bills, buying food, or anything of the sort. This job has made me financially secure and beyond, which is all I need, really. I’m not in this to get rich, you see. I just love to write.
Before getting into the nitty-gritty of my workday and routine, I want to share my mindset when it comes to writing and what makes a good essay writer. It’s not how you handle words or even style. It’s desire.
I became a writer because I have a profound love for the written word. However, I also love to read and learn new things. In a way, this job is a match made in heaven, at least for me. It lets me learn something new every day from a wide range of fields, and it allows me to express myself in written form. To make it better, it pays. That said, however, this is not a job for everyone. It is a solitary life confined to a computer for days on end with deadlines swooping in like flies on honey.
You need grit and excellent time management to make it work. Being a bit of a hermit helps as well since you’re alone most of the time. I’ve met quite a few freelance writers over the years, and I can say that most of them fit this bill perfectly – they’re recluse, don’t like social norms, and are happiest when left alone to read and write. So, if you find yourself in this description, have at it.
Now let’s get to my workday, shall we?
Getting up, coffee, and other fun stuff!
I am definitely NOT a morning person, so I never get up before 10-11 am. Anything earlier, and I’m bound to be grumpy and in a foul mood for the day. The first thing I do every morning is take my dog out for a walk in the garden and drink coffee while she plays. I drink coffee by the gallons, by the way. Not really healthy, but there you have it.
When I’m done with the walk, I’ll take a shower, brush my teeth, and get some breakfast going. After I’ve eaten, I’ll catch up on the news on my tablet or sit on the terrace reading for a good hour, depending on the weather. After a long wait, I’ve finally built my own little garden office with a large covered terrace. That’s where I spend most of my time.
Time for work.
I usually break my day into three parts – the planning part, work one, and work two (I know, lame names, but it works). Each part is divided by a meal or exercise. I work on all sorts of projects, from essay writing to dissertation writing, blog posts, articles, ebooks, and more so I am never bored.
The planning part comes first. That’s where I’ll answer any pending emails, update my schedule, send out payment invoices, and other boring stuff. I also use this time to check my social media and respond to any queries there.
Every day I will usually have at least a couple of emails from clients with pending orders, a couple of job requests from aspiring essay writer, and some promotional emails to answer. I usually spend about an hour or two sorting those out, sending outstanding bills, and taking care of other administrative tasks.
I usually start writing after lunch, around 2pm, and can go on throughout the night, depending on the volume of work I have lined up!
Naturally, all the sitting, reading, and thinking can get tiring. That is why I have a boxing setup on my terrace. I bought a 120lbs bag and a couple of machines, so I’m never too far away from a workout. I’m a relatively big guy, too, 6’3˝ 240lbs, so I need the workout to stay in shape.
Whenever I’m tired or just want to stretch, I’ll take my gloves and punch out a round or two to get my blood flowing. I also do one big workout in between work one and work two. It’s an excellent pass time and clears the mind. I definitely recommend martial arts or any physically intensive sport if you’re considering freelancing. It helps keep you sane and in shape.
No rest for the wicked!
I’ve noticed that many aspiring writers have misconceptions about freelance essay writer work, specifically that they will be well paid and work less than they would with a regular 9 to 5 job. That is true, sometimes. My workday can be just one hour long, or it can be 16 hours long. It depends on the volume of work I have booked in my calendar for that day.
The charm of freelancing essay writer is the freedom to say no and the ability to take time off whenever I damn well please. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have to work. I clock in more hours than your regular 9 to 5 during the hot season – March to July and September to December. I love the time between seasons when I can rest and take time off without worrying about money.
To summarize, I work my arse off for seven months only to have four or five months of freedom to travel, spend time with my family, and replay Europa Universalis IV, again (I’ve done at least 20 reruns by now). I also use this time to binge-watch a ton of shows.
How does it work?
To be an effective freelance essay writer, you need to be focused. I find that I work best in short bursts of frantic writing, about an hour each with fifteen-minute breaks in between. I use the breaks to read the news, do a round or two on the boxing bag, or take a stroll in my garden.
When I start writing a new paper, I will browse the web for sources, spend 15 minutes reading the abstracts to understand the subject, and then start planning the structure. Once I’ve jolted down the main parts, I’ll find relevant sources, extract what information I need, write it down, and move on to the next section.
Once all of the sections are done, I’ll read the entire paper and make edits where necessary, add the title page, contents, references, and whatever else is required, and let it rest for two hours. In the meantime, I’ll already start on another paper. After two hours, I’ll reread it to catch any errors I might have missed the first time. This is called a cold read. If the final product is fine, I’ll send it to the client and continue on whatever paper I was working on at the time.
Brain freeze, burnout, and other issues
A prevalent problem for freelancers essay writer is the so-called burnout. This is your brain refusing to work because of exhaustion. It happened to me once, and let me tell you, it ain’t pretty. You’re in lockdown mode, can’t do anything, and work is a big no-no. The only way out is through, though – you have to stop working and do other stuff. I spent a lot of time training and walking while burnt out, and it really helped. I was back in my chair within a week. Haven’t let myself get burnt out since. I keep a close eye on my schedule and keep a more rational schedule.
Instead of a conclusion
The life of a freelance essay writer is not easy, and it’s not for everybody. Sure, the money is great, but you need a lot of effort, perseverance, and time to get to where I am now. Quality, like everything in life, takes time. I have been honing my trade for a decade, and I still know there is a ton of stuff I don’t know. I also deliver a good product that my clients seem to appreciate, so I can’t complain much.
