IT goes without saying that most freelance writers work from home. However, it is important that, no matter how small or constrained the space, your work and home life is clearly delineated.
When I first started freelancing I set up my computer in the sitting-room. This is great, I thought, I can work and watch television at the same time. Big mistake. Take it from me, re-runs of Frasier and researching the current curriculum for primary schools do not mix. I still got my work done, but it was hard to concentrate and my work slowed down as I periodically broke off to watch Frasier and Niles sparring - or Jessica Fletcher solve another mystery - or Homer Simpson eat another donut.
Principle number one: Treat your working space as a real office with no distractions. If possible, turn a room into an office; somewhere you can close the door on the rest of the house.
When I first started freelancing I set up my computer in the sitting-room. This is great, I thought, I can work and watch television at the same time. Big mistake. Take it from me, re-runs of Frasier and researching the current curriculum for primary schools do not mix. I still got my work done, but it was hard to concentrate and my work slowed down as I periodically broke off to watch Frasier and Niles sparring - or Jessica Fletcher solve another mystery - or Homer Simpson eat another donut.
Principle number one: Treat your working space as a real office with no distractions. If possible, turn a room into an office; somewhere you can close the door on the rest of the house.
The second lesson I learned was to be strict with friends and family. When I was employed, no one phoned me at the office unless it was urgent. No one suggested a shopping trip on a working day and no one dropped in unexpectedly expecting coffee and a chat. But they did all those things as soon I started working from home. In the end I had to be strict. I stressed that I had to make a living and to do so had to be disciplined and work a full week without unnecessary interruptions. It's best to start as you mean to go on and lay down the ground rules from the outset. It's harder to have the conversation after a few weeks of daily socialising.
People with children might find this harder. You may have to break off to do the school run, for example. But my kids know that if the office door is shut, mom is working and mustn't be disturbed unless there's an emergency. Occasionally, when I'm up against a deadline and there's no other responsible adult in the house, I leave the office door open and try to work and supervise at the same time - a bit like simultaneously watching Frasier and researching on the internet! But this is the exception, not the rule. I'm either working or housekeeping, not doing both. Just as I had to be strict with my family during working hours, I also had to make sure I wasn't taking work phone calls and visits during my family time. As soon as my working day is done, I switch over my work phone to answerphone. I never make appointments or arrange interviews during family time unless there really is no alternative.
Principle number two: Separate your working and your personal life.
Another lesson I learned was to separate my personal and working communications. I have separate work and private emails. In this mobile phone era, it's easy to have separate work and personal telephones. I have my own work computer that no one else uses so I know that my eight-year-old daughter isn't going to accidentally delete my 3,000-word Word document that I have sweated blood and tears over all morning.
Principle number three: Have your own office equipment and communications systems.
* If anyone wants any advice or information on a particular subject, please click on the 'envelope' below and email me.
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