Read them and reap. Time to write remains special, precious, when we don't have all the time in the world. In her book Writing From Personal Experience, Nancy Davidoff Kelton suggests that we view writing like an illicit love affair, savoring the moments, relishing the time. A regular paycheck frees us to practice until we're perfect. A full-time freelancer may need to look for the sure thing, because writing literally is their bread and butter.
Moonlighters can bet the long shots.
Rejection letters sting less when you are not counting on an advance to pay next month's rent. Your day job actually can add fuel to your writing fire, rather than extinguish it. My own article and story ideas spring daily from snatches of conversation overheard in the employee lounge, discussions with friends over 45-minute lunches, or disgruntled employees who drop by my cubicle to vent. Newspaper headlines or tidbits that capture the attention of my coworkers enlighten me as to what interests them, and what could interest my potential readers. Newsletters and magazines that float around the office become possible markets for my work.