--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I started freelancing, writing op-eds and…" description: "\"I started freelancing, writing op-eds and book reviews, one at a time. I then got the opportunity to write recurring freelance pieces for 'The Nation' ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/695/ari-melber-6528_books_i-started-freelancing-writing-op-eds-and_1407060.jpg" --- # I started freelancing, writing op-eds and book reviews… ![“I started freelancing, writing op-eds and book reviews, one at a time. I then got the opportunity to write recurring freelance pieces for 'The Nation' magazine, focusing on how the Internet was changing politics.” quote by Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/695/ari-melber-6528_books_i-started-freelancing-writing-op-eds-and_1407060.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/695/ari-melber-6528_books_i-started-freelancing-writing-op-eds-and_1407060.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/695/ari-melber-6528_books_i-started-freelancing-writing-op-eds-and_1407060.jpg) > “I started freelancing, writing op-eds and book reviews, one at a time. I then got the opportunity to write recurring freelance pieces for 'The Nation' magazine, focusing on how the Internet was changing politics.” [Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Describes a gradual build‑up of freelance work leading to regular contributions for a major magazine, emphasizing incremental progress. **In simple terms:** Freelance work grew step by step into a steady column. Key Takeaway Build expertise and relationships one piece at a time. Themes career development writing media politics internet Mood motivational reflective Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - starting a freelance portfolio - pitching to publications - building a niche audience - leveraging early pieces for larger opportunities Key Concepts freelancing op‑eds book reviews magazine writing Questions to Reflect On - How can you turn small writing gigs into a regular platform? - What habits sustain long‑term freelance growth? A Different Perspective Success may depend on networking and market demand, not just output. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Freelance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freelance/) [Freelance Pieces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freelance-pieces-1886053/) [Freelancing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freelancing/) [Freelancing Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freelancing-writing-4947862/) [Internet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internet/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Started Freelancing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/started-freelancing-4514915/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I was freelancing for years in Cork and around. 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My second-favorite F-word.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-dobson/freelancing-my-second-favorite-f-word/) [Jennifer Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-dobson/) > [“While “Yes madam,” or “At your service, sir,” might boost your ego, obsequiousness can also distract you from your project’s needs—and remember, flattery is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dmytro-zaporozhtsev/while-yes-madam-or-at-your-service-sir-might-boost-your-ego/) [Dmytro Zaporozhtsev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dmytro-zaporozhtsev/) > [“Go freelance yourself”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-dobson/go-freelance-yourself/) [Jennifer Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-dobson/) > [“Choose and create a circle of proper advisors around you. 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When you’re alone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justine-castellon/working-alone-definitely-has-its-advantages-there-was-no-need-for/) [Justine Castellon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justine-castellon/) > [“Freelancing requires such strict adherence to toadyism, to sycophancy, to the grubbiest, lowliest submissions. It is an on-spec life and it is full of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-morgan/freelancing-requires-such-strict-adherence-to-toadyism-to-sycophancy/) [Richard Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-morgan/) > [“I have found that unless I make myself some office hours and stick to them - 8.30 to 11 A.M. and 1 to 3…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-rich-dickinson/i-have-found-that-unless-i-make-myself-some-office-hours-and-stick-to/) [Louise Rich Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-rich-dickinson/) > [“Freelancing and Creativity In Freelancing, doing a job in different ways is called creativity. The importance of creativity is immense among all that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhairab-it-zone/freelancing-and-creativity-in-freelancing-doing-a-job-in-different/) [Bhairab IT Zone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhairab-it-zone/) ## More by Ari Melber > [It always rankled me - in law school and the legal profession - when lawyers would speak to each other in their own exclusive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-melber/it-always-rankled-me-in-law-school-and-the-legal-profession-when/) [Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/) > [Progressive bloggers should not only write on behalf of the members of America's underclass but also empower them to join the discussion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-melber/progressive-bloggers-should-not-only-write-on-behalf-of-the-members/) [Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/) > [Law and politics are often overly complicated because there are people that don't want the rest of us to know what's going on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-melber/law-and-politics-are-often-overly-complicated-because-there-are/) [Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/) > [News may not be very profitable anymore, but it sure is popular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-melber/news-may-not-be-very-profitable-anymore-but-it-sure-is-popular/) [Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/) > [The president's powers are always open to being questioned by the co-equal branches of government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-melber/the-president-s-powers-are-always-open-to-being-questioned-by-the-co/) [Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/) > [Like any good lawyer, I'm going to maintain a confidentiality of advice offered in confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-melber/like-any-good-lawyer-i-m-going-to-maintain-a-confidentiality-of/) [Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/) > [The Tea Party movement's economic agenda is a matter of emphasis, not exclusion. This is not a single-issue group.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-melber/the-tea-party-movement-s-economic-agenda-is-a-matter-of-emphasis-not/) [Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/) > [Why do Tea Party backers oppose abortion at higher rates than their traditional GOP cohort? Religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-melber/why-do-tea-party-backers-oppose-abortion-at-higher-rates-than-their/) [Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/) > [Companies like YouTube will continue to be tested on their commitment to the mission that made them such popular and profitable websites - providing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-melber/companies-like-youtube-will-continue-to-be-tested-on-their-commitment/) [Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/) > [Navigating a battle between partisan, progressive organizing and decentralized petition drives is, at bottom, like trying to choose between the Democratic Party and democracy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-melber/navigating-a-battle-between-partisan-progressive-organizing-and/) [Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/) > [Politics has certainly changed a lot in an era of micro-targeting, Super PACs, and Twitter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-melber/politics-has-certainly-changed-a-lot-in-an-era-of-micro-targeting/) [Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/) > [Political operatives don't tend to be existentialists. They do know, however, that if a supporter doesn't vote, then his or her opinion does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-melber/political-operatives-don-t-tend-to-be-existentialists-they-do-know/) [Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/) > [I do listen to Drake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-melber/i-do-listen-to-drake/) [Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/) > [Only in Washington can the pursuit of a conservative agenda, with centrist policies, be depicted as liberal reform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-melber/only-in-washington-can-the-pursuit-of-a-conservative-agenda-with/) [Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/) > [My job is to be accurate and clear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-melber/my-job-is-to-be-accurate-and-clear/) [Ari Melber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/) [Explore all 99 Ari Melber quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-melber/) ## More Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) [Christopher K. Krebs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-k-krebs/) > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) [Markus Herz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-herz/) > [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) [Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I started freelancing, writing op-eds and book reviews, one at a time. 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