I have heard that freelance writing can be a lucrative career. I have worked for newspapers and I am barely able to afford the gas to cover stories. Are magazines a better avenue? How do writers do it?

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there are some that write for the same people over and over again, but it is lucrative...like you said. Best of luck mate.

You have to have a specialty in demand, like science or medical writing.

Actually, a lot of freelance writers "hit it big" and make loads of money. You would have to be a really good one though.

You have to really want to. I have a freelance friend who lives in Toronto and makes enough to live but is not rich. You have to be a good writer and able to write about a diversity of topics.

Very difficult to do this. For the majority, it's merely supplemental income.

It can be done (through trade magazines and custom publications), but most freelance in addition to their day job. You might want to check out http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3 The above forum is a writing community with many professional writers as members. There was a poll a while back asking how many members earned their living as full-time freelance writers. There were several who did, so I would seek advice from them. Good luck!

I have several columns (freelance) each week in our local paper. It keeps gas in the car and food on the table--even though I have 2 hungry teenagers to feed!

It can be done, because I do it. Granted, I am not anyone's definition of rich, but I get by. You have to be committed. The problem that I see with many beginning freelancers is that they do not put in a full 40 hour work week. If you want full time pay, you have to do full time work. Newspapers, magazines and websites all need material. Don't make the mistake of only going to the big magazines, though. Go to your library and look at the different magazines they have. Check out your bookstores, too. There are literally hundreds of magazines out there. They may have smaller circulation numbers, but the markets are less competitive. Once you get some good clips, larger assignments will come. Don't overlook online markets, either. They typically pay less than print markets, but optimal word count is 400-500. If you are a fast writer, the money adds up quick. Whatever you do, don't give up.