Is freelance writing a lucrative career?

In addition to having a good command of English, grammar, punctuation, etc., you need to have a positive attitude, a lot of self-discipline, a very thick skin and much determination! I also recommend an up-to-date dictionary, a Roget's Thesauraus and a current copy of "Writer's Market". I wouldn't give up a day job to become a free-lancer. Start part-time and build up. Unless you are exceptionally talented and prolific, it will probably not pay many bills, especially at first. I get to write because I'm retired and I have the time and my retirement income to fall back on. I am not setting any records, but am enjoying myself. I have self-published one book because it was important to me, but I will probably never earn what it cost me to publish. I have had a few articles published. Not a lot of money, but a BIG kick out of seeing my name in print. Good luck and God bless!

There are several really great websites that pay freelance writers very well, depending on their expertise. One I know of is about.com. They have a very good pay scale, but do require the writer to be an expertise in their field. Another source is Associated Content. You can sign up at their website and again write on a number of topics and I don't believe there is a limit as to how many you can submit. These are two great places to get started in freelance writing and get paid for it. At the very least, it will provide you with a supplemental source of income. Finally, think about starting a blog if you don't already have one. It's a great stepping off point for freelance writers who want to showcase their craft somewhere and make a little money doing it as well.

I think that the most difficult thing about being a freelance writer is finding work. Once you have a good group of clients providing you with work, you can manage, but like anyone in his or her own business, you have to be constantly marketing yourself and your skills. You also need to be self-disciplined, which is why it is so much easier for most folks to work a traditional job. With freelancing, you can set your own hours, but you never get paid for goofing-around time. If you can't get your work done, there are severe consequences...no money to pay the bills. For someone who is really self-motivated, a good writer, and likes to market themselves, it can be a good match as the publishing industry increasingly relies on freelancers because they don't want to pay out the regular benefits (vacation and health care). Good luck with your writing.

I think this is a very good discussion. Something I have been wondering about myself. There is a lot of good information here and gives us something to study on. Good luck to you

I am a freelance writer myself. Of course, a good command of english is a bonus to the career but that will also depends on the "boss" that is hiring you whether he or she has a high expectation or not. As for whether it can be a full time job, i would advise not to but it can be another source of your income