Don’t be scared of putting yourself out there – Adebisi Adewusi

Adebisi Adewusi is a freelance writer and photographer. While she writes on various issues, she is particularly interested in issues relating to gender, feminism and social justice. Her writings have appeared in The Huffington Post, SheLeadsAfrica, Circumspecte, Okay Player and Okay Africa.

She is a permanent writer at African Feminism and blogs weekly on issues affecting African women at thefemaleorator.com.

Enjoy our interview with her!

1. How long have you been writing?

Since primary school. Gave it up upon entering the university because I taught no one would take me seriously as a writer. Picked it up 10 years later.

2. How long have you been freelancing?

June 2016. Less than a year

3. In the course of your freelancing, what are some of the challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

Getting paying clients. I found an online mentor who guided me on how to make a living writing.

4. What are your favourite tools for working?

MS Word. However, I scribble ideas on my phone or my cute little notebook.

5. Tell us about your works.

I am inclined to real issues, therefore I write a lot of social and political articles.

6. How do you motivate yourself to write?

My alarm goes off at 3:00 am daily. The title message is my writing goal. When I get lazy and ignore my alarm,, I miss writing so much that I run back to it.

7. What is something you’ve learnt about freelancing that others can learn also from?

Don’t be scared of putting yourself out there. My first paid freelance job was by pitching an online site that I never knew paid writers. I was just looking for a home for my write up.

8. Tell us about one of your works you consider as your favourite.

My piece on Steve Biko (Father of South Africa’s Black Conscious Movement).  It was published on OkayAfrica. Really proud of that one. There were many reasons why I could have said “Nah, I can’t do this”, but I found a way to make it work.

9. What is your best writing tip?

Read. Read everything and anything. From Animal Farm to Cartoons on marketing.

10. What is your best freelancing tip?

Before pitching an outfit have a look at what they publish and see if you can deliver. It’ll reduce your rejection rate.

11. What advice would you give to a budding freelancer or writer?

Write what you like and look for a paying home for it

You can find Adebisi on Twitter @biswag.