Forever Freelancer | Leah Roth
Writer and comedian. New York. 12 years freelancing.
Was there a moment, a meeting, a Monday, a very specific email, that made you think "I can't keep doing this." What was yours?
Up until about a year ago, basically any time I ever had a piece of writing rejected from a publication or submission, I thought to myself "well, this is hopeless." Now I'm on Prozac and have a wonderful therapist, so we're working through that!
Going into freelancing, what did you think the hardest part would be, and what's the hardest part actually?
The hardest part seems like it would be finding the energy to pursue writing and comedy after a full day of work, but I actually find it energizing most of the time. The actual hardest part is staying motivated after rejections, bad auditions, and so on.
What's the skill you've had to develop that has absolutely nothing to do with what you actually do, but makes or breaks everything?
Numbness. No, I KID. Something I've become very good at is separating myself from my work. Feedback on your work is simply feedback on your work. It doesn't say anything about me as a person — unless it's good! Then, it's because I'm awesome.
If you had to pick up to three GIFs to describe the energy of a memorable moment or project, what are we watching?
When I found out I was going to be published in The New Yorker :
What's a phrase that instantly tells you a project is about to become complicated?
"Have you considered a different angle?"
What's the most freelancer sentence you've ever typed?
"It doesn't pay."
Tell us the lowest rate you ever accepted. The actual figure. No rounding up for dignity.
I'm pretty sure I've lost money on things I've accepted. Improv and sketch comedy almost never pay, but I always end up spending my own money on transportation, props, and food while I'm out. The justification is that I love it. It brings me so much joy and hopefully one day it'll lead to even better opportunities.
What would you put on a business card that actually captures what you do?
"Will do anything for laughs."
What have you gained that would've been difficult to find anywhere else?
Confidence, funny friends, the ability to generate scenes from a one-word suggestion, dopamine.
Finish the sentence: "Forever Freelancer means…"
"Pursuing your dreams at any cost."
Leah Roth