About : Bio

Hi.
Uh, hello.

So who are you and what do you do?
Well, my name is Lynn, and I’m a freelance writer/web designer/proofreader. I actually want to become known more as a proofreader, but I’ve been doing the first two things for much longer and it only seems prudent to acknowledge that.

How long exactly?
Don’t ask me about the writing; it’s been going on for years. The web design thing started in 1999. You can read about it here.

And the proofreading? Why do you want to seriously proofread anyway?
I hate typos. The very core of my being itches like crazy every time I see a typo. So it’s a good thing I’ve actually been able to take on proofreading work. I feel like I’m saving the world one document at a time. Hey, that should be my tagline. I should copyright that, or trademark, or whatever. Oops, I realize I’m just revealing my ignorance in such matters.

We’ll pretend we didn’t notice. So how long have you been a freelancer?
Two years, baby! I love it, and I fervently hope my plans don’t go awry and cause me to jump back into a cubicle.

Why did you leave Corporate Manila anyway?
Funny you should call it that, since it didn’t feel the least bit corporate, except for the kinks in the system that need to be worked out. Ahem. It’s kind of weird, actually. The company felt about as far from corporate as you could get, but that didn’t make cubicle life easier. For one thing, I started feeling that it wasn’t fair for anyone to have to stay cooped up in an office for a large chunk of the day. The commute was also unpleasant, plus I started to feel like I wanted to try new things, particularly working from home. ‘Cause I’m lazy like that.

Are you saying you’re actually a no-good lazy bum?
I ask you this: Deep inside, aren’t we all? But to answer the question, of course not, or else I wouldn’t be doing my work at all and doing my best to find more sources of income, eh?

Point taken. So how’s the freelancing life?
It has its ups and downs. The ups: More time with loved ones, setting my own hours, not having to go to an office, more time to work on personal projects, and better opportunities to explore other jobs. The downs…Hmm. Downs. Probably the greatly reduced human interaction, although I have been able to meet some fine people through freelance work. There’s also the minor matter of dealing with distractions, and when you work at home, you will have plenty of those.

Such as?
The TV. A nice, comfy bed. The wide world outside. I’m able to cope, thankfully. Oh, and the paralyzing fear that my sources of work will evaporate and leave me with nothing. NOTHING! *sobs*

Has that happened yet?
I’ve had a few gigs vanish after a while, but I do my best to find replacements for them.

What can you say to people who are thinking of freelancing?
PAWS OFF MY GIGS! No seriously now, good for you! You definitely have to work hard and really prove your skills, but it’s extremely rewarding. If you’re afraid of losing all the benefits you get from your company, well, that’s a very legitimate fear, but just imagine how much more you’ll get back when you become a freelancer.

Well, thanks for your time.
What, we’re done?

Yeah.
Oh.

We’ll come back if we have any more questions for you.
I’ll be here.