Gloria Steinem loved the unpredictability of freelance writing - but not everyone has her adventurous perspective! Here’s what she says about freelancing, and how us normal folk can cope with the ups and downs of writing without a permanent position.

“As a profession, freelance writing is notoriously insecure,” said Gloria Steinem. “That’s the first argument in its favor. For many reasons, a few of them rational, the thought of knowing exactly what next year’s accomplishments, routine, income, and vacation will be - or even what time I have to get up tomorrow morning - has always depressed me.”

Whether you’re thinking about leaping into freelance writing or are a busy writer with many deadlines (we should all be so lucky), here’s several ways to cope with the insecurities of freelancing….because they’re a normal part of the entrepreneurial life…

6 Ways to Cope With the Insecurities of Freelance Writing

1. Diversify. Magazine, book, and online publishers have stables of writers; freelance writers need a flock of clients. I’ve been writing regularly for three national and a bunch of regional publications, and I’m always looking for new writing opportunities. This way, if I stumble into a slump with one or two publications, I’ll have a few more to tide me over.

2. Maintain a blog or website. I really struggled with whether or not to create a website (theAdventurousWriter.com), but I’ve found that it validates me as a writer, it’s a great place for my new experts or interviewees to verify my credibility, and it reminds me of my growth. I update it weekly, and it’s a great reminder of the progress I’ve made.

3. Take casual work that’s not writing-related. Working every couple of weeks in an office, museum, or trendy coffee shop can help you cope with the insecurities of writing by generating new ideas, writing inspirations, plot twists, character developments, and so on. Getting paid to be out of the house is a great way to keep the juices flowing, and it’ll help with the financial droughts that may be inevitable.

4. Suggest column ideas regularly. I’d love a regular monthly column, and I’ve pitched different ideas to two different magazines and one newspaper over the past couple of years. Two declined my generous offer, and I only pitched the third a week ago, so I’m still hopeful (but it’s a long shot). But, having a regular column can really ease the insecurities of being a freelance writer.

5. Send out those reprints. Don’t let your old articles get dusty on a shelf. Rework them, or send them out as is as a reprint possibility. Keep a record of when the first rights have expired, and re-use your past articles and stories.

6. Network with other entrepreneurs. Don’t just hang out on writers’ forums or join writers’ organizations; spend time with other entrepreneurs. Exchange ideas and energy with people who are building and maintaining their own businesses; learn how they cope with the insecurities of freelance work.