Freelancing - How to Live the Dream and Avoid the Nightmare

Discover strategies for navigating the ups and downs of freelance work in this 2019 GDC talk by game writer Greg Buchanan. Learn how to cope with financial and psychological challenges, build your craft, and establish an international reputation. Explore key principles for obtaining gigs, common motivations for freelancing, and the realities that often contrast with idealized expectations. Address major psychological threats like imposter syndrome and burnout through practical time-management techniques. Gain insights on surviving career gaps and transitioning out of survival mode to thrive as a freelancer in the game industry.

Intro
First: Who am I?
What I will be talking about
Two key principles for obtaining gigs
Motivations many freelancers may have
The alleged dreams of freelancing
Oh no! A distorted nightmare reality
Two such major psychological threats
Strategies: Imposter Syndrome
Strategies: Burnout . Time-management
Survival mode: dealing with career gaps
Exiting survival mode