One of the problems I face in my work as a freelancer writer, is that I often become inspired at the most inconvenient times, most inconvenient of these being the times I am far from a PC.

I have experimented with many portable devices in the past, nothing really fits the bill perfectly, a laptop is just too cumbersome to carry around all day, a smartphone is just impossible to use for word processing, even if it has a QWERTY keyboard. As a freelance copy writer I need a decent keyboard, not necessarily full size, but comfortable and useable.

Recently I have been experimenting with an Asus EEE PC, and I have to say it’s pretty useful, the keyboard is ok, I can type quite quickly on it, although the layout is a little strange. The major problem is the screen size, I have the 7" model, which has a native resolution of 800 x 400 pixels, just a little too small to be comfortable. My only other gripe with it, is the fact it has no built-in Bluetooth connectivity, so I have to use a dongle.

Overall it’s been great so far, so much so that I am considering switching to the new model, which has a larger screen and runs at 1024 x 800 resolution.

One of the problems of being a freelance writer, or more correctly, freelancing in general, is the issue of work load. Unlike a regular nine to five job, with a working day that is always similar in structure, a freelancer has to deal with a more flexible work day.

Possibly the most awkward thing for me, is the fact that I always seem to find myself either deathly quiet on the work front, or snowed under. Yesterday was a great example of this, I was just finishing off a fairly heavy project, and had very little else lined up for the next few days, in truth I was looking forward to a short break.

So what happens just as I save the final copy of the dissertation I had been working on? My email icon lights up, and there in my mailbox are two new, very large projects, both with tight deadlines. In a normal working environment, you would explain to whoever assigned you these projects that you do not have enough time to complete both before the deadline. As a freelance writer, I cannot afford to turn any of my established clients away, I do not want them taking their business elsewhere, so I have to accept both projects and burn the midnight candle again.

This is the only major problem I have with being a freelance writer, and I can see no way to make this issue less challenging, but then again, I am not sure I really would want too.

Being a freelance writer for the past 3 years, I have had some strange copy writing projects to work on. I guess this is one of the more interesting aspects of working as a freelancer, the work you do is probably more varied than that which you would be given in a  permanent role.

I think the strangest task, must have been the freelance writing I did for an adult website, I basically had to right naughty stories. This actually almost got me into trouble with my young lady. I use voice recognition software sometimes, especially when I am writing something that needs very little research. So I was sitting on my balcony, in my hammock, with a headset on and dictating adult stories to my laptop.

After about an hour of this, my girlfriend comes storming up the stairs, flying out on to the balcony with a face full of rage. She looks a little confused though, and after a few moments she starts laughing. She thought I was on the phone, talking dirty to another girl!

Who would have thought being a freelance writer could present you with such a strange problem? Luckily she was used to seeing me working this way and understood.