One becomes a (paid) freelance writer by first working as a full-time writer. Really, it’s the easiest way. Do whatever it takes to get a full-time writing job and after a few years you should have the experience and the contacts necessary to establish a successful freelance career.
In my opinion, it’s a lot easier to start out as a full-timer. As a (paid) freelancer, you are pretty much expected to have it all – the ideas, the interviewing skills, the market knowledge, the writing skills, the editing skills, the capacity to revise, the ability to suck up rejection, etc. As a full-time writer at a company with a pubs or documentation department, you can start out as a know-nothing junior, trainee or intern. Five years ago, for example, it didn’t take much to become a junior tech writer at a software company. I did it, even though I had absolutely no tech skills at all. It’s tougher now, of course, but still possible. Today, I have enough contacts and knowledge to actually make some money freelancing. Five years ago, I would have been utterly lost if I’d tried to launch a freelance career.
As others have pointed out, you can start small as a freelancer, and as long as you’re not depending on the income to live, you can slowly work your way up. And yes, if you begin with community newspapers and the church newsletter, you don’t require much experience. But you specified paid, and I take that to mean you want a reasonable amount of money for your effort. That won’t happen without experience.
I think the full-time route, though by no means the slam-dunk it was when the tech boom was in full swing, is worth considering. You get to learn on the job from experienced writers (many of whom are freelancing on the side) while pulling down something resembling a decent salary. When you think you’re ready, start your freelance career.
I can’t help you with the first two but I do have a pretty good idea about how one becomes a bull semen extractor.
Most bull semen extractors get started by working on a cattle farm that has high powered, expensive bulls; bulls that other cattle producers are willing to purchase semen from.
Given time, you may be privileged to assist the person that’s in charge of bull semen extraction. Note that not everybody can be a good extractor of bull semen. The profession requires a certain knack; a talent if you will.
If, while carrying out your assistant duties you demonstrate sufficient aptitude for the task, your employer may send you to some short courses to further your education in the art of semen extraction.
If you persevere, that happy day may come when your supervisor retires or moves on to another position and your wildest dreams are finally realized: You’ve become the Main Semen Extractor!
I think you should go for it. If you’re gonna dream, might as well dream big.
Wombat, I actually typed “local independent bookseller” and then replaced it with B & N. I’d rather shop at a local place myself, but I was trying to direct him to someplace with plenty of magazines as well, since my response was oriented towards doing that sort of work. One-stop shopping and all thatl
I love independent booksellers also, but my local B&N is very good at supporting local writers. They support critique groups and have readings and signings by local people. I think it depends on the person doing community relations. The one thing they don’t do is support self-published writers- but that is another discussion.