Making the move from a newspaper editor to a freelance writer is a big change and I’m still making the adjustment.

I’ve continued writing articles for the newspaper where I worked for 17 years, and now comes the tricky part – reaching out to other publications and organizations. One of the reasons I made the shift to freelance was an attempt to better balance my career with my family life so I’ve also been busy with back-to-school activities.

I’ve joined the Freelance Writer’s Den, which has provided a wealth of knowledge about a freelance writing career. This past month, I’ve watched webinars, listened to podcasts and focused on soaking up information about freelance writing. I had been active in the American Jewish Press Association as an editor and rejoined as a freelancer and participated in a freelance webinar that provided an opportunity to speak to (former fellow) editors of publications in other states. I also have worked on my writer’s website (with guidance from the Freelance Writer’s Den.)

Stories I wrote this month included articles about a program that assists families in becoming foster or adoptive parents,  an interview with a woman who assists Jewish communities in Morocco and Tunisia,  an agency’s increase in services for victims of domestic violence, leaders in the Phoenix Jewish community discussing recent violence on the eve of President Trump’s visit to Phoenix and efforts to fight acts of hatred in Phoenix. I also wrote a press release for a local nonprofit agency. This past week I turned in articles about an agency’s grant guidelines and an article about Rosh Hashanah decor, both scheduled for a September issue.

Plus my three kids returned to school this month so there were school supplies to buy, back-to-school nights to attend and adjusting to our new schedule. So it’s not like I haven’t been busy, but now we’re on the eve of September and I’m realizing I don’t have much lined up yet for next month. This has been the most challenging part of the switch to freelancing – no guarantee of a paycheck, but knowing there will soon be bills to pay.

Deep breath. Time to move forward.