Featured Freelance Writers — Crystal Kupper

One of the main reasons I started No Hustle Freelancer is to create a community. I am excited to continue this Featured Freelance Writer series. :) Today, I want to introduce you to Crystal, a jack-of-all-trades magazine writer. One of the most inspiring things about Crystal is navigating freelance writing, motherhood, and moving around with her military family. Crystal and her husband have parented seven children from four nations over the past 14 years. She says that freelancing allows her to be a mom first while still having a thriving writing business. Beyond parenting, we touched on many other topics. There is so much to learn from Crystal’s journey. I hope you enjoy this conversation just as much as I did.

Tell us about yourself. What kind of freelance writing do you do/what's your niche?

Crystal Kupper: My name is Crystal Kupper, and I am a jack-of-all-trades magazine writer. I mainly cover military issues, sports, faith, holistic living/wellness, international relations, and orphan justice.

Where do you write? On your couch? A nice home office? Cafes? Coworking spaces?

Standing up behind my bar in my living room. It works as my office. :-)

When and why did you decide to start freelancing? How long have you been freelancing?

I started getting paid for my writing at 16, working at a small-town newspaper. At 21, I took a magazine writing course in college for my journalism degree, figuring that if I was taking the time to write practice articles then I may as well try to sell them. I ended up selling every article I wrote in that class to real magazines for money, and a new career was born. I've been freelancing for 16 years now.

How did you find your first clients? How do you find your clients now?

I had been reading a teen girl magazine for years and knew its style and content really well. They had a silly quiz in one issue, and I thought, "This can't be that hard." So I wrote a quiz and sent it in the mail, the old-fashioned way (this was back in 2007), and got an acceptance letter back! My first sale. It still makes me smile. 

I find my clients now mainly through reading magazines' submission guidelines and pitching from there. Sometimes, an editor recommends me, which is always nice.

What is your favorite thing about freelancing? Anything you don't like?

We are a military family and have been stationed in five locations on two continents. I love that I never have to lose my job or "start all over again" with my career when my husband gets reassigned. I also love all the interesting people I get to meet and talk to, including a lot of celebrities. Sometimes I even get free merchandise out of the deal! :-) 

One thing I don't like: outsiders assume that since I don't work a "normal" job, that I have all the free time in the world. Nothing could be further from the truth!

What is the most valuable lesson you've learned so far?

Just go with the flow. People will let you down (missed interviews, ghosting your interview requests, magazines shutting down for good). It's not worth getting worked up over. Just chill and try again.

Let's keep it real, there is always something to work on. Is there anything you are currently struggling with or working to improve on as a freelance writer?

I would love to figure out how to "jump to the next level." I have written for dozens of small and medium-sized clients but would love to get assignments from the big guns.

A lot of freelance writers choose this path because of chronic illness, chronic pain, mental health issues, or a disability. If you are dealing with any of the following, can you tell us about it a bit and how do you navigate freelance writing and physical and/or mental health challenges. 

One of our daughters is adopted from Armenia and is in a wheelchair. She has quite a few diagnoses and requires a pretty hefty amount of intense care from me. I love that freelancing gives me the flexibility to be able to take care of her. She is thriving today, and I know that is partially because of my job.

A lot of parents choose the freelancing path so they can stay at home with their kids or spend more time with their families. Are you a parent that choose freelancing for these reasons? If yes, how are you navigating your role as a parent and do you have any tips for other parents. Did you choose freelancing even before become a parent? How did parenting change your freelancing journey? Eg. maternity/paternity leave, working less hours, budget etc. 

My husband and I have parented seven children from four nations over the past 14 years. We currently have five "Kupcakes" at home from three countries. Our "family number" often changes, and I love that freelancing lets me be a mom first and foremost while still exercising my cognitive muscles. I also get to write about my passion: orphan justice, including finding children with special needs their "forever homes." So far, at least three children whom I know of have been adopted because of something I wrote, and I cannot tell you how much that knowledge blesses and motivates me! 

I try to write in the cracks of my life, including at baseball games when my child is on the bench, waiting in the school pickup line, at the doctor's office, etc. My youngest ones often pretend to be me and prop up their books to be laptops in their imagination, and gently tell their stuffed animals, "I'll be with you in just a minute; I'm finishing up an article, thank you!" It cracks me up. My kids are learning that you don't have to sacrifice your career to be a mom, or vice versa. 

I started freelancing even before becoming a mom, so it's really all I know. I have breastfed during multiple interviews and rocked a baby to sleep on my back while typing. You just learn to make it work.

What advice would you give freelance writers that are just starting out?

Don't be afraid to say yes to something scary. You never know where it might lead!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I am one of the few people I know who has never woken up in the morning and groaned at the thought of going to work. I love my job, I love what I do and I love my life!

Where can we find you? Feel free to share your website, portfolio, Linkedin, other social media.

facebook.com/crystalkupper

linkedin.com/in/crystalkupper

Are you interested in creating a sustainable freelance writing business without the hustle? Check out my freelance writing course with a step-by-step process of exactly what you need.