I just started working from home and developed a career as I went along. I wouldn't do anything else. Freelancers are listeners. They're aggressive and self-motivated. Freelancers have to be willing to work long hours, sometimes with little or no pay in the beginning, to build their writing portfolio.
Freelancers are open minded - very interested in people and what they do.
A love for the written word, and the ability to be self-motivated. If you're not self-motivated, you'll never make it as a freelancer. Never give up. Don't be afraid to work for free in order to make a name for yourself. Realize your worth and quit working for free.