Free spirited

Often than ever, these days at social gatherings, I am greeted with a pleasant smile on knowing that I am a free lance writer. I say ‘thank god I am no longer an alien!’And they remark “thank god some change in the techie infested city!” I did tell my friends and acquaintances, that it is not easy to be a freelancer. Freelancer actually means somebody who is self- employed (read ‘no jobs in market’) or not committed to any particular employer (hmm you can say the freelancer lacks commitment!).

The way this term has originated is also interesting. The term was first used by Sir Walter Scott, who was a Scottish historical novelist and a poet. He is ancient by the way! His period dates back to the 18^th century.  It seems he used this term to describe ‘medieval mercenary warrior’. In simple terms it means a warrior who fought for power in return for monetary benefit. Alternatively, this long phrase was shortened to ‘free-lance’. Here the term ‘lance’ means one which, is not sworn to any lord’s services nor is the ‘lance’ available free of charge. Err! Wait. But am I getting paid for my services?

Lance in a true sense means a pole weapon or spear! So perpetually I am a ‘freely available spear’ or am I a ‘spear who is not free’! Okay I have confused you enough! Now the noun (freelance) has been morphed into an adjective (freelance journalist/writer) in the recent times. Actually the writer in me craves for the pen and not the frills attached for being one. ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’. An age old adage! Ironically the pen no longer exists and the sword is replaced by AK-47!

Now the other thing which confuses me apart from my job is, ‘what do I call myself’?  a ‘freelance journalist’ or a ‘freelance writer’ or just a ‘freelancer’? Well, by definition, ‘a journalist is one who writes professionally for a newspaper or a periodical’. Well I do write to a newspaper often but professionally or not, I leave it to the readers and the editors. Then what does a writer mean?  A writer is person who produces literature like novels, short stories, essays, articles, etc. Complicated! Maybe I should call myself a freelancer, who writes professionally when not lazy with utmost professional attitude sans the monetary gains!

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