What can I do to become a freelance writer...like short stories or poetry?

Question:

What can I do to become a freelance writer...like short stories or poetry?

I really love writing. I want to start writing short stories and such but I'm not sure where or how to submit my work.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

When you get a short story or poem published, it's extremely ego gratifying. You feel like a true artist. The downside of freelance writing is you are going to have to compete with all the others with the same dream. Anyway, to get started go to your local library's reference desk and ask to see the annual Writer's Market book. Or you could buy it. Inside the book are addresses of literary magazines and the sort of literature they want. To survive as a freelancer, you have to write for the publication, you have to give them what they want.