A rundown of the questions everyone asks me all the time.

How did you become a freelance writer?

I had long wanted to be a freelancer after I became disillusioned with full-time work—I started off my career working in a newspaper newsroom. It was great but awful at the same time. I felt creatively stifled and wasn’t supported by my editors to really grow and hone my voice. So, I quit my job, sold my car and moved to Spain to teach English for a year. I thought teaching would be my ticket out of a writing career. But really it showed me that writing was where I wanted to be but instead as an independent writer. After years of trying to find work and not being successful I settled into freelancing full-time in January of 2016. Been at it ever since.

What tips do you have for sustaining yourself as a freelance writer for the longterm?

Don’t be afraid to get a part-time job. No seriously. My first few years as I got my feet wet and built out my portfolio I had to take low-paying work which often left me scrambling for money when bills were due. Another soul-sucking full-time job was not a compromise I was willing to make but working some hours every week and getting out the house was. I would also recommend being realistic about how long it takes to build yourself up—years usually. If you don’t have the luxury of savings to lean upon (which I didn’t) get a part-time gig that pays decently and won’t drain you of everything you’re worth so you can still write.

Is niching, e.g. establishing yourself as writer who writes on certain beats or subjects, your work something you absolutely need to do?

Yes and no. For me, it was absolutely helpful to establish myself as a writer that writes on certain topics—most people know me for my food and travel writing after all—because it made commissioning editors see me as a subject matter expert without me having to convince them of such. This made getting pitches accepted a lot easier and after all, I had editors approaching me to write things. Niching is helpful if anything to track your growth as a writer, too. If you hunker down on a certain topic or beat, you can look back and see how far you’ve come a lot easier and also where you need to improve. I would say try to find the things that you want to specialize in writing but don’t be obsessive about it. I find that for most writers this process happens naturally as we all gravitate to certain things that are our interests.

How did you get your agent? Any recommendations for finding one?

Funny story: I found my agent on Twitter. Yes, you read that correctly. I entered a pitching contest called #DVPit for marginalized writers. The idea is that you put the synopsis of the book you’re pitching in a tweet and agents that are interested will like or favorite your tweet. From those you have liked your tweet, you go to their profile and they have submissions guidelines for querying them. I got a lot of interest when I participated in #DVPit in the Spring of 2018 and it scared me. I sat on all the interest and slowly started querying. In the end I had four offers of representation—and chose my agent based on a gut feeling that she was the right fit. It’s been four years and she’s seen me through two books. My advice is to ask questions—everything from how they like to communicate with clients, what their general response time is, their editing style. I would also ask to speak to other clients of theirs to get their honest feedback. Lastly, if you get one offer of representation, don’t settle on them just because you got that yes even if you’ve been looking for a while. Approach other agents letting them know you’ve got an offer of representation on the table and that you are hoping to ensure you’re getting the right person. In terms of where to look for one if you’re a marginalized writer, the BIPOC Bookshelf is a great resource and place to start.

How do I write a book proposal and query letter? What is the querying process like?

I have lots of wisdom on writing both but there is not enough space and time to detail that. I will say that Jane Friedman has a good template for use as a starting point. The submissions process—which is the process of your agent essentially pitching your book to editors and publishers—can be long or very quick. I’ve gone through it twice already with two different books. The waiting process can be excruciating and the no’s that come from it devastating. It really depends. This is where having a good agent to be with you through the process makes a huge difference. 

As a freelancer, how can you afford to take all those fabulous trips?

For a long time, I was known as a travel writer. That has shifted over the years as I write more about the connections of grief to everything else. The vast majority of the trips I take are press trips, meaning I am hosted somewhere and I pay nothing out of pocket. The only expectation is that I sell coverage as an exchange. Press trips can be fun but sometimes they’re draining. That’s my secret though—most of those trips I don’t pay for myself. 

What do you do when faced with doubt, insecurity, lack of confidence and procrastination within your writing life?

I keep writing. Because I recognize all those feelings are normal and human to experience. I turn to those who I consider my community to encourage me when I need it. I take care of myself, rest when I need to, cook beautiful meals, spend time outside, practice yoga, go to therapy. There are a lot of things I do but mostly I embrace that being an artist and creative soul means that there are ebbs and flows. 

Any other writerly advice you have to offer?

Trust yourself and go where your heart is leading you.