Versatility is essential to success as a freelance writer. Transitioning from fiction writing to nonfiction freelancing could mean the difference between writing as a hobby and actually earning an income.
There are plenty of benefits to having a background in fiction. In the latest installment of Mediabistro’s Journalism Advice column, one writer claims that after writing fiction, generating fresh ideas for articles was easier than ever:
Having trained myself before to hone my curiosity and keep my eyes and ears open for ideas, it comes naturally now. I’m likely to come up with an article idea, a turn of phrase or an untapped market while I’m driving, playing blocks with my 2-year-old or taking my lunch break. If you can invent a villain or dream up a plotline or a setting, you can develop a pitch for a nonfiction article.
For more, including how a background in fiction can help you deal with deadlines, read: 5 Ways Fiction Writing Prepared Me for Nonfiction Freelancing.
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