Queensland based Freelance Writer Sharon Thompson has worked in news, features, real estate writing, column writing, media liaison, media training, web text and more. She is living happily with her long-term partner, and they are eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child. She works much better in the mornings as she is pre-disposed to afternoon naps, and cannot write unless she has a cup of tea next to her. Here she shares her journey with Leah Gibbs – and look out for an article from Sharon in the very near future.
What is your elevator pitch?
I write for people who don’t have time to, and I proofread for people who have difficulty expressing themselves through text: marketing copy, articles, blogs, web copy, newsletter copy, advertisements, speeches and more. I love words and I can write to entertain, inform, persuade or dissuade. I came into this business because so many people find writing a difficult and onerous part of their work and it is simply my pleasure to provide effective text for them. Life’s to short for bad writing.
What kind of family environment did you grow up in?
I am the youngest of five children – two girls, three boys. We are all vastly different, and spent much of our childhood at war, but have always pulled together when it matters. My childhood was busy, loud, chaotic and loving. I was the quietest of us all, but remember getting hours of joy from simply sitting back and watching my family. I wrote stories about us all from the time I knew how.
Now two of my brothers are in the UK, where we were born, and my sister and I are over here with my parents. My other brother, Jimmy, died when I was 14 and he was 21 – a loss that still aches today.
My parents were, and still are, loving, supportive, strict, patient and willing to let me make my mistakes and be my soft landing when I fell. I have always been a daddy’s girl and I have a wonderful relationship with my mum. As a first time mum myself, I only hope I can do half as good a job with my babies!
What were the early days like trying to break into the industry?
I feel like I am still there! I broke into journalism originally by gaining a scholarship and cadetship to study at University while simultaneously working at the Gold Coast Bulletin, which was amazing and opened many doors, including to Queensland University of Technology’s media office, where I was introduced to a strange world where academia and PR collided.
Breaking into freelance is tough, but I am enjoying the challenge so far – ask me in a year!!
What kept you going when times were tough financially?
Determination to have control of my destiny, to ensure I was able to live out my goal of running my own business and to not surrender to failure. Also, a confidence in my own abilities and the conviction that once my name is out there, the work would come.
What ‘normal’ jobs have you done?
Well, the Gold Coast Bulletin and QUT were “normal”. But through high school, I worked as a waitress when I was 14, and then from the age of 15 to 17 I worked as a checkout chick at Priceline. I loved it there, and in fact the first few months I was working at the Bulletin, I still kept doing my weekend shifts at Priceline – I guess it was a comfort thing, clinging to my youth!!
Do you see your life as a balance between ‘life’ and ‘work’, or are they well blended?
They are blended, because I have a strange body clock which sese me often doing my best work after 6pm or before 8am. Which makes writing, with its midnight hits of inspiration, perfect!
How do you balance ‘life’ with ‘work’ from a time point of view? What routines do you have?
I don’t have routines when it comes to my business, because they never work. If I make a routine and don’t stick to it, I feel bad and get frustrated. I cannot set aside a time for writing, because sometimes I don’t have any words! The only routines I have are for meeting with or calling clients, which I like to do in the morning, as I am generally a morning person. I have more of a daily or weekly “to-do” list, and work in blasts of energy and inspiration. This also allows me to be flexible about the other demands on my time.
What do you see as the essentials for a happy existence?
People who love you, who you love in return. A contented and adoring pet. A passion which you can always turn to, knowing it will make a bad day better. Plenty of cheese sandwiches and endless cups of tea.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in growing your business?
Getting the word out – the constant marketing of myself can be a bit of a drain, as it is not in my nature to sell myself, and discussing money makes me cringe. But I am such a control freak that I cannot trust anyone else to market me, so I make a rod for my own back there!
How many hours do you work in a typical working day and do you work weekends?
I work between four and six hours a day at the moment, and I do put in an hour or two per day on weekends too. However, this is averaged out – some days I will work nonstop for 10 or 12 hours, and allow myself to spend the next day relaxing.
What qualities do you respect and value in people you work with? Why are these qualities important to you?
I like working with people who are down to earth, honest, and can see humour in things. I respect people with talent, and I want to work with people who have a clear goal and an idea of how to get there. I find it frustrating when people use all the right jargon, but spend hours in meetings, getting very little done and just talking around in circles!
What do you do in your spare time?
I read voraciously, I walk and swim to clear my head, I listen to music and I have a range of TV shows I am hooked on.
Name your three favorite websites – the ones you visit regularly?
www.facebook.com - Addicted!
www.news.co.uk - It covers international news too, and has some great bloggers and columnists
www.ifyoulikeitsomuchwhydontyougolivethere.com – A satire site – some of the most cringeworthy comments you will find on the “reader’s comments” sections of news sites are all compiled here, displaying some shocking ignorance, dreadful grammar… It’s so bad you can’t look away.
If you were able to invite any three people to dinner, who would they be and why?
George Michael, because I have loved his music all my life. Ricky Gervais, because he is incredibly funny and ridiculously intelligent. Oprah, because it’s Oprah!
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
Oh, I would absolutely want invisibility, because it would allow me to indulge my rampant nosiness! All the meetings I could sit in on, the arguments, the private conversations – heaven!
What is the biggest challenge to young people today?
I think it is the same as it has always been, in a way – to retain a sense of individuality, keep close values and goals which are important to you, but still be accepted by your peers. I think this will always be the biggest challenge to young people, because it is human nature to want to be part of a group, but also to follow your heart and strive for a sense of self. It’s a tough conflict.
Visit Sharon’s website at http://www.stwritingservices.net.au/
Leah Gibbs is the Founder and Business Manager of Lifestyle Careers.
Lifestyle Careers is an online recruitment job board. Our niche and specific focus is the advertising of flexible employment and work at home positions. It is designed for professionals wanting to balance their work and personal life.
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Life’s ‘to’ short for bad writing…….c’mon guys.