If you’re a freelance writer, the chances are that you spend all day at your desk. After all, you can do all your research and writing from one spot, so why bother to move. It’s very different from other types of writing, where it’s almost a requirement that you go out and talk to other people.

Being a freelance writer can be like living in a bubble. You communicate with everyone by email, IM and VOIP phone and the Google search page is your most used page. It could be weeks before you see another person. However, sometimes it’s good to get out. Here’s why.

Apart from the health issues, such as the threat of RSI (tendinitis), there’s a valid professional reason to leave your desk and experience the world from time to time. That’s because if you stay in your bubble, your writing will get stale. Even if you’re an expert, sometimes you need to refresh your outlook so that you can find new ways to express an old concept. Remember, it takes a bit of dirt to make a pearl.

So, what can you do?

One option is to meet up with other writers offline. Join a group of like minded people with whom you can hang out and shoot the breeze. It’s one way to find new angles and a different perspective.

Listen to the radio and read books about your topic and others. Even off topic reading and listening can suggest new metaphors to brighten up a piece of writing.

If you really can’t get away from your desk, then find a few friends online with whom you can share your successes and frustrations. You can bounce ideas off them and get constructive feedback. Online magazines, ezines and blogs about your favourite topics will also help you to keep up with new developments.

One last tip is to walk around with a notebook or recorder. You never know when something you see or hear will suggest a new way to tackle an old subject.

About the author: Sharon Hurley Hall is a born again blogger who has been writing for more than 20 years. She is a freelance writer and ghostwriter who specializes in ebooks, SEO articles and blog posts. Sharon runs the freelance mentoring blog, Get Paid To Write Online.

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This entry was posted on Monday, December 3rd, 2007 at 5:04 am and is filed under Freelance Writing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.