Allena Tapia, the talented freelancer behind GardenWall Publications, answered a few questions for us about her work. Allena is also About.com’s Guide to Freelance Writing.

How did you get into freelance writing? Why did you choose freelancing over a full-time job?

I had always freelanced “on the side” for local magazines and websites, so every time I did one of those projects, I thought about the possibility of doing it full time. I worked as an editor and as a marketing writer for two local colleges, but I really didn’t “like” going to work and writing the same things day after day. At this very same time, I felt like I was missing a lot of volunteer opportunities in my community and especially at my daughter’s school, which really annoyed me. I didn’t like giving away the bulk of my life just for material goods, while I was missing all kinds of other things. I am blessed to have a spouse who supported me in making the transition to pursuing freelance writing full time, but he is a numbers person, so I had to show him the job postings and writer’s markets available.

What services do you offer through your company, Garden Wall Publications? Do you have any plans to expand in the future?

I’ve really focused on editing more than writing through GWP. I guess that’s just the way it worked out, the kind of clients I got. However, I do have some pretty regular clients who need web copy and SEO, and I will always serve my loyal clients as needed. As for the future, I think I am going to try to go 50/50 between magazine submissions and editorial services. Since editing and copywriting pay the bills, they tend to take time away from querying print magazines, which is where I want to go. I also have a novel in progress (who doesn’t?) and will begin submitting poetry before the end of the year. I kind of follow my whim with writing, as long as the bills are paid, and that’s one advantage of freelancing — you can go where your interests take you.

How do you measure your successes as a freelancer? Have you had any major struggles in freelancing?

I know that some writers don’t agree with me, but what says success to me is being able to pay my bills and not have to go back to a day job (unless I absolutely want to). Writing is my career, and I view a career as the work that allows you to live outside of work. That’s not to say that I don’t get personal satisfaction from writing- I do- but my personal projects are my novel and my poetry, and my business projects are to support my life outside of work. So, if I can contribute to my household, I am successful.

I have had struggles in freelancing. For example, I’ve let my mouth and my attitude get away from me at times, but I’ve regrouped and moved on. Another struggle I have is work-life balance and keeping boundaries. Summers really do me in, as my children are home, and we travel a lot, so all of my time management skills are stretched.

As the About.com guide to freelance writing, you provide information for lots of beginning freelancers. If you had to narrow it down to just one piece of advice, though, what would you tell a beginning freelancer?

Everyone wants to know HOW to start or the BEST WAY to start freelance writing. Should I get a website first, or start getting clips first? Should I set up my fee structure or make a resume? Instead, I want to tell them, the first thing you have to do is START WRITING. Sit down and write something that’s been in your head. Get it out on paper, walk away, come back, polish it. Writing will only make you a better writer, so start with one piece that you love. You can then start selling it (or use it to sell yourself).