Freelance Writer is one of three base game Freelancer careers in The Sims 4. Sims who enjoy the Writing Skill will greatly benefit from being a Freelance Writer, as they can make good money from their trade while choosing how and when they want to work. This complete guide to the Freelance Writer career will show how to unlock all the gigs, how to complete all the tasks, and how to improve the Writing Skill efficiently.
1. Why You Should Become a Freelance Writer
There are a lot of perks to becoming a Freelance Writer in The Sims 4, as opposed to just writing books or working in the Writer career. These benefits include:
- Working from home and getting to choose when and how you work, giving you more flexibility with time.
- Leveling up your Writing Skill, giving you greater access to more genres of books to write and publish.
- A generous pay per gig, especially if you finish well within the deadline.
- Sims who Like Writing will satisfy their Fun Need and be Happy.
2. What You Need for the Freelance Writer Career
There are two key things you need to have for the Freelance Writer career:
- A computer. All writing tasks are done on a computer. Invest in your own computer, either one that is Unbreakable so it doesn’t break in the middle of writing a novel, or a laptop you can carry on you and use out and about to do work on.
- Writing Skill. You don’t need any prior Writing experience to join the Freelance Writer career, but having at least some Writing Skill grants access to more variety of gigs.
Any computer will do, but a laptop allows you to take your work anywhere.
3. How to Join the Freelance Writer Career
Signing up to be a Freelance Writer in The Sims 4 is quick and easy. You just need to take these simple steps:
- Open your Sim’s phone and select Business > Find a Job, or select a computer and choose Career > Find a Job. Unemployed Sims have the Join a Career button in the Careers panel.
- From the list of careers, scroll down until you find Freelancer. Select Confirm.
- From the list of Freelancer trades, select Fighting Words for the Freelance Writer trade.
Your Sim is now officially a Freelance Writer and they can immediately sign up for gigs.
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- If your Sim is currently out of work, they can sign up directly from the Careers panel.
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- Find the Freelancer career from the careers list.
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- Fighting Words is the one you want.
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- Your Sim is now officially a Freelance Writer!
4. How to Get Gigs in the Freelance Writer Career
Gigs are jobs that Freelance Writers can pick and work on. They can choose whatever gig they like, but availability is based on the current Writing Skill level, as well as the time of day. More gigs are unlocked as a Sim levels up their Writing Skill. Although Freelance gigs are available 24 hours a day, there are more options in the morning. Available gigs refresh every day.
How to Get a New Gig
To apply for a new gig, you must do the following:
- Select a computer and choose Freelancer > Check for Gigs.
- Use the Check for Gigs button in the Careers panel. This is the quickest method and immediately brings up the Gigs List, regardless of what your Sim is currently doing.
When the gigs list appears, choose any gig and it will immediately be assigned to your Sim. You do not need to pitch yourself or do an interview or compete against rival freelancers. The job is always yours.
If you’re looking for a new gig, use the Check for Gigs button.
How to Cancel a Gig
Only one gig can be done at a time. To change the gig, you must first cancel the current one by selecting the Cancel Gig trash icon in the Careers panel.
How to Meet Gig Deadlines
All gigs have a deadline. In the Freelance Writer career, gigs usually need to be finished within 2 to 3 days. Failure to complete all tasks within the deadline will result in the client being disappointed and a negative hit on your Work Performance.
To avoid missing a deadline, make sure to start work as soon as you get the gig. You’ll have enough time to complete all the tasks, but don’t leave it too late. The gig’s deadline is displayed in the Careers panel. You’ll also see the deadline listed with each gig in the gigs list.
How to Improve Work Performance
Work Performance monitors how well you are doing as a Freelance Writer. You’ll gain Performance from successfully completing gigs within the deadline. On the other hand, failure to meet deadlines will result in the Performance being depleted.
If you continuously do well and raise your Work Performance, you’ll earn “promotions”, which gives you several rewards, including:
- Large cash bonuses
- A plaque you can hang on the wall
- A free laptop
- Increased pay on all gigs
Your first promotion earns you a tone of perks. Following promotions gives you cash bonuses.
What If You Don’t Do Gigs for a While?
If you don’t assign a new gig for a period of time, you may get a pop-up message reminding you that you can sign up to a new gig. This will open up the gigs list. However, you can choose to ignore this. As a Freelancer, you are free to give yourself time off.
5. All Freelance Writer Gigs
There are around 30 different Freelance Writer gigs available in The Sims 4, starting from Writing Skill Level 1 all the way up to Level 10. Below is a list of every gig, including what Writing Skill Level is required to unlock it, the base pay, and what tasks need to be completed.
Level 1
Starting from the bottom, novice writers can begin with clickbait articles and children’s books.
You start off with easier gigs like writing clickbait articles and children’s books.
Aspiring Writer? Like Gossip?
- Pay: §130
- Due: 2 days
- Tasks: Write Clickbait Article, Get Article Approved
Author Needed for Voidcritters Vol. 3
- Pay: §265
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Children’s Book, Get Book Approved
Co-Writer for Kid’s Bedtime Stories
- Pay: §240
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Children’s Book, Get Book Approved
Get Clicks; Get Paid
- Pay: §155
- Due: 2 days
- Tasks: Write Clickbait Article, Get Article Approved
Get Paid to Write Top 10 Lists!
- Pay: §145
- Due: 2 days
- Tasks: Write Clickbait Article, Get Article Approved
We Want Weird Wacky Stories
- Pay: §130
- Due: 2 days
- Tasks: Write Clickbait Article, Get Article Approved
Level 2
Moving up to Level 2 Writing, you can now write marketing copies as well as proofreading documents.
Level 2 gigs step it up a little with marketing copies and proofreading assignments.
Convincing Copy for Newspaper Ad
- Pay: §410
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write 3 Marketing Copies, Get 3 Marketing Copies Approved
Eye-Catching Product Slogans
- Pay: §415
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write 3 Marketing Copies, Get 3 Marketing Copies Approved
Magazine Ad Marketing Copy
- Pay: §430
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write 3 Marketing Copies, Get 3 Marketing Copies Approved
Proofread My Thesis Paper
- Pay: §155
- Due: 2 days
- Tasks: Edit Documents, Write Feedback Report
Proofread Online Submissions
- Pay: §185
- Due: 2 days
- Tasks: Edit Documents, Write Feedback Report
Read Over My Job Application
- Pay: §175
- Due: 2 days
- Tasks: Edit Documents, Write Feedback Report
Refreshed Brand Language
- Pay: §425
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write 3 Marketing Copies, Get 3 Marketing Copies Approved
Level 3
Level 3 Writing Skill unlocks gigs centered on writing motivational books.
Get motivated (or Confident) if you want to write those Motivational Books.
Ghost Write for Famous Life Coach
- Pay: §565
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Motivational Book While Confident, Get Book Approved
Write a Self-Employment Help Book!
- Pay: §540
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Motivational Book While Confident, Get Book Approved
Level 5
At Level 5 Writing Skill, gigs that require writing non-fiction books are unlocked.
It’s all about non-fiction books at Level 5 Writing.
Enlightening Writing Job
- Pay: §1,275
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Non-Fiction Book, Get Book Approved
Ghost Writer for History Text Book
- Pay: §1,365
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Non-Fiction Book, Get Book Approved
Help a Renowned Scientist
- Pay: §1,555
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Non-Fiction Book, Get Book Approved
Philosophical Genius Needs Writer
- Pay: §1,420
- Due: 2 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Non-Fiction Book, Get Book Approved
Level 7
Level 7 Writing Skill grants access to fantasy novel gigs.
Get ready to delve into the realm of fantasy stories at Level 7.
Brand-New Fantasy Story Idea
- Pay: §2,325
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Fantasy Book, Get Book Approved
Write for a Famous Fantasy Series
- Pay: §2,510
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Fantasy Book, Get Book Approved
Level 8
Gigs involving writing science fiction books are unlocked at Level 8 Writing Skill.
Are you ready to tackle new worlds with sci-fi stories?
Has Anyone Ever Thought of This?
- Pay: §2,280
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Science Fiction Book, Get Book Approved
Help Our Dystopian Future
- Pay: §2,450
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Science Fiction Book, Get Book Approved
Need Writers to Extend Universe
- Pay: §2,375
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Science Fiction Book, Get Book Approved
Level 9
Level 9 Writers are challenged with writing mystery books for their clients.
Mystery novels might send your Sims into a spin.
Breaking into the Crime Genre
- Pay: §3,105
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Mystery Novel, Get Book Approved
Help! We Need More Detective Stories
- Pay: §3,340
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Mystery Novel, Get Book Approved
That Old Mystery, You Know the One
- Pay: §3,115
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Mystery Novel, Get Book Approved
Level 10
Mastering the Writing Skill unlocks the final set of Freelance Writer gigs, which includes writing biographies.
Master the Writing Skill to access all gigs.
Biographical Publishing Firm Hiring
- Pay: §4,730
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Biography, Get Book Approved
Really Important Guy Here
- Pay: §4,385
- Due: 3 days
- Tasks: Chat with Client, Write Biography, Get Book Approved
6. How to Complete Freelance Writer Tasks
There are different tasks that must be done in a Freelancer Writer gig in order to complete it and get paid, as well as earn Work Performance. There are usually 2 to 3 tasks per gig, with some tasks having to be completed more than once. For example, three separate marketing copies must be created for the Level 2 marketing gigs. We’ll go through every task that appears across the Freelance Writer gigs and how best to complete them.
When a gig is active, you can see what tasks need doing.
Chat with Client
Most Freelance Writer gigs start with the task of chatting to the client who assigned the gig. To do this, select a computer and choose Freelancer > Chat with Client. This takes around an hour to complete.
After chatting with the client, a Sim may either become temporarily Inspired or Tense.
A positive chat with a client can leave your Sim feeling Inspired and ready to work.
Write Clickbait Article
Clickbait articles are gigs available for beginner writers. Only one clickbait article needs to be written per gig. To do this, select a computer and choose Freelancer > Write Clickbait Article. These only take a few hours to do.
Once the article is finished, it can be given a name. The finished article appears as a USB drive in your Sim’s Inventory.
You have to start somewhere, and where better than a clickbait article.
Edit Documents
Level 2 Writing gigs include proofreading jobs. The first task of these is to read through and edit the documents provided by the client. This is done by selecting a computer and choosing Freelance > Edit Documents. This takes a few hours to complete and only needs to be done once per gig.
Write Feedback Report
Along with editing a document for proofreading, you need to write a report for the client. This can be done under Freelancer > Write Feedback Report via a computer. It usually takes a few hours to complete.
Proofreading tasks are fairly fail-proof and easy to do.
Write Marketing Copy
Level 2 Writers can access gigs that involve writing marketing copies for clients. This is the only Freelance Writer gig that includes a task that must be done more than one. Three separate marketing copies must be written and then approved to complete the gig.
This task can be done with a computer under Freelancer > Write Marketing Copy. It takes a few hours to finish one copy.
When a marketing copy is finished, it can be named. A completed marketing copy appears in USB format in your Sim’s Inventory.
When it comes to marketing tasks, you have to write and get approved 3 copies to complete the gig.
Write a Book
Several Freelance Writer gigs are focused on writing a full book. The genre of the book depends on the gig. The book must be written from scratch and fully completed for the gig’s task.
Finished books appear in your Sim’s Inventory.
How to Start Writing a Book for a Freelance Writer Gig
To write a book for a gig, select a computer and then choose Freelancer > Write [Genre] Book. You then need to select the correct book genre from the list. The variety of book genres available depends on the current Writing Skill level. The final step is naming the book and giving it a description, but you can use the default placeholders.
Make sure you pick the right book genre based on the gig.
How to Continue Writing a Book for a Gig
If for whatever reason you stop in the middle of writing a book, in order to resume you must go to Write > Resume Writing…, then select the book you want to continue working on. This option is not available under Freelancer, only to start a new book from scratch.
You need to resume writing your book under Write, not Freelancer.
Write a Motivational Book
Motivational Books are slightly different to writing other books in the Freelance Writer career. The main difference is that you must first be in a Confident Mood to start writing a Motivational Book. If you are in any other Mood than Confident, the Motivational Book genre won’t appear in the list of books to write.
How to Become Confident in The Sims 4
There are plenty of ways to become Confident in The Sims 4:
- Use Psych Up on a mirror.
- Drink a Confident Potion.
- Eat a Confident Emotion Berry (Jungle Adventure Game Pack)
The option to write a Motivational Book isn’t available unless your Sim is currently Confident.
Get Work Approved
All written work in a Freelance Writer gig must be approved by the client before they can accept it and complete the gig. Work can either be accepted or rejected.
How to Get Work Approved in the Freelance Writer Career
To get written work approved, select the USB stick or book in your Sim’s Inventory and choose Send to Client for Approval. Accepted work will disappear from the Sim’s Inventory, while rejected work remains there.
The moment of truth is when you send work off for approval.
Work that is accepted is accompanied by a generic message of approval from the client in the pop-up notifications. Rejected work will also have a pop-up notification stating that the article/copy/book must be edited and rework before it can be submitted for approval again.
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- There’s always a sigh of relief with accepted work.
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- Rejection is never easy. You just have to try again.
How to Increase Chances of Getting Work Approved
The chances of work being accepted rather than rejected is influenced by a few factors:
- Writing Skill. Higher skill level reduces the chances of poor quality work and ultimately rejection.
- Quality of written work. Poor or Normal quality work may be more likely to be rejected.
- Sim’s Mood when writing. Negative Mood can affect the final quality of work.
- Luck. Bad Luck can strongly influence the quality of work and chances of rejection. (Enchanted by Nature Expansion)
An Inspired Sim not only builds their Writing Skill faster, but it may help boost their work’s quality.
Rejected Work
If work is rejected for whatever reason, you have two choices:
- Edit and resubmit the rejected work.
- Start again with another written work.
How to Edit and Resubmit Rejected Work
You cannot resubmit rejected work until it had been edited. To do this, select a computer and then Freelancer > Edit Rejected Content. Choose the rejected work from the list to start editing it. Editing rejected work takes several hours.
Once a work has been edited, you can try sending it for approval again. Editing rejected work does not guarantee acceptance. You may have to rework it again, or you might have to start over from scratch.
Rewriting rejected work takes time, and isn’t always guaranteed to be accepted a second time.
What Happens If the Client Rejects My Re-edited Work?
Sometimes when editing rejected work, you’ll receive a pop-up notification from the client telling you to start again with a new work. This automatically scraps your rejected work, forcing you to write a new article/copy/book. Having edited work rejected by the client does not cancel or fail the gig. You will be given another chance to try again.
Sometimes a written work is beyond salvaging and you have to start again.
7. Best Tips for Freelance Writer Career
There are several things you can do to have more success in the Freelance Writer career in The Sims 4, including the following:
- Be in an Inspired Mood. Inspired Sims gain the Writing Skill faster. Become Inspired by viewing art, taking a Thoughtful Shower, or Browsing Art on a computer.
- Have the Creative Trait. Creative Sims become automatically Inspired for several hours now and again.
- Keep Needs satisfied. Before starting work, make sure all Needs are in the green. Remember to take a break if Needs are dropping low.
- Have Likes Writing. Sims with this assigned gain Fun whenever they’re Writing.
- Either keep or sell the free unlocked laptop. The laptop you gain from good Work Performance is valuable and good quality. Replace your current computer with this laptop or sell it for extra money. You can also keep the laptop in addition to your current computer and take it out with you so you can work on the go.
- If a book written for a gig keeps getting rejected, consider publishing it yourself to make some extra money and starting again with another book, especially if you’ve already edited it once.
- Consider having the Bestselling Author Aspiration assigned at the same time, as the Freelancer Writer tasks line up with the same Aspiration goals.
If you have the Bestselling Author Aspiration, you can complete goals while working on the Freelancer Writer career.
