  I often have dream of sitting in a coffee house, sipping on my organic, lightly sweetened chai as I write my latest story and daydream about where my romantic freelance life may take me next. Of course my research is all done, and I have a pile of facts and well journaled stories that will eventually fall into place to create my next article, which should appear towards the front of that new magazine, you know, the new one that just came out last week. Seeing my previous work, those in charge insisted that I write in the premiere issue, knowing how respected I am in the freelance community.
Instead, I sit in my office chair and stare at the screen and curse myself for not paying attention in magazine writing class. I am desperately trying to figure out how one gains notoriety from freelance journalism, and how much work it actually takes to make a name for yourself. I am looking into becoming a travel writer, but I hit the current blockade of not being able to travel because of my job as a PR assistant. Then I think about using my free time to work on my queries for publications like Vogue and Cosmo, only to realize that the ideas I have I don't necessarily want to research that hard, or frankly, don't make a big hell of a difference in the large scheme of things.
And my free time consists of a two hour time span on Wednesday nights between 8-10 PM, in which time I am also knitting two scarves, reading the Da Vinci Code (like every other post-teen, business type who didn't pursue a more romantic job than they talked about in college) and cleaning my turtle tank (Would anyone be interested in a freelance article on Turtle care and tank maintenance?
) So, until I can solve my dilemma and reach the currently impossible dream of becoming a freelance writer, I would like to congratulate all of you out there who took the leap to go out on your own and create without the confines of a regular editor. Kudos, and if you have any advice, e-mail me. I will be sitting on my bed, brainstorming ideas for my illustrious freelance career-to-be and sipping instant coffee. 
