How I Made $70 for 90 Minutes of Work

Freelance writers have a fabulous job as long as they are able to write what they know. The trouble is, many times they don't see an opportunity dangling right in front of them. I've been that way hundreds of times myself, but recently I managed to see through the fog and find an opportunity to get published, pay tribute to a writing icon, and get paid all at the same time.

The literary world was stunned by the sudden death of author Hunter S. Thompson. Thompson's name became legend after creating his own brand of journalism-Gonzo. He reported facts, but through his own over-excited perspective. I was a longtime reader and student of Thompson's work, if for no other reason than to learn what NOT to do in many cases: Thompson was a notoriously difficult writer; he gave editors migraines when it came time to actually cough up the goods on a promised article.

I was contemplating the sudden death of Thompson while doing research into new freelance markets. I was examining one aimed at motorcycle hobbyists when it occurred to me that Thompson was heavily connected with cycle lovers. He frequently wrote about motorcycles, road tested them and wrote freelance articles about his experiences riding. I quickly wrote out a tribute to Hunter Thompson, highlighting his work in the motorcycle field. The story was heartfelt, and detailed with enough quotes and information to show that he was indeed a supporter of legitimate motorcycle owners worldwide. I then dashed off a quick email to the editor of the magazine in hopes that they might appreciate the strong connection between the late author and motorcycles.