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The Dilemma of a Writer-Wannabe
By Alyice Edrich Copyright 2002

I was reminded recently of how hard it is for a freelance writer to make it in today’s world. And it made me realize that I too, had lost site of what is important. A writer used to be something to be revered. There was a time when people would dream of becoming an accomplished writer and winning the acclaim of millions. There was a time, not so long ago that one would speak of being a writer and people would be in awe. Today, however, mention you are a writer and people shrug their shoulders. Why? What has happened to this great profession?

In honesty, I can sum it up in one phrase, "free content." With the boom of the Internet, people can write anywhere, about anything, at any time. While businesses understand that having "content" on their sites will get more people to notice them, will have more people coming back, and will offer more for their "valued" customers, they are unwilling to pay for such. So they offer promises of a byline which is supposed to get publishers to take you seriously or promote one of your products. They may also state that all your hard work will not be in vain as they offer you pay on a pay-per-click basis, percentage of the advertisements, or stock options. Or even worse, they offer you a "place to be heard."

In time, those that refuse to pay for content have degraded the value and prestige of being called a "writer." And those of us, that have been fooled into believing that we are getting something out of the deal, have lowered the pay grade and our chances of making a descent living as a "paid, professional, writer."

Think about it this way, you go to the store and the manager is offering you a free soda with every purchase of store-brand chips. You were going to have to purchase the chips and soda anyway, so you decide that the store-brand would be just fine, as it is saving you money. Do you understand what I am trying to say here? It makes it harder to get publications to pay for our writing, when the publications can get it for free.

The sad truth, is that when one finally realizes that he or she wants to become a writer, it is very difficult to break into the field of writing. Publishers want clips and clips are needed to get published. So we set out to find places that would give us hope; places that would allow us to be published so that we can receive the "clips" needed to show "real" publishers. Needless to say, we turn to places that don’t pay because they take just about anyone. Then, with clips in hand, we set out to get a "paying" job as a freelance writer. Unfortunately, we never realize that some of those clips simply should not be. We get frustrated with the real publishers and return to those that do not pay; because at least they allow our "voices to be heard." In the long run, promising writers fall by the wayside as they never learn to fine tune their skills or listen to constructive criticism. Even worse, they tire of working so hard for so little in return.

So the next time you plan on writing for free, make sure it is worth it! Are you writing to support a cause? Are you writing something that ties in with a product or service you sell and will your byline state so? If not, stop giving your work away! You can bet that companies offering no pay, including the person that accepts your article for print is getting paid so why shouldn’t you?

Take a chance on your talents and face your fear of rejection and criticism. Did you know that an average article is rejected ten times before it is accepted into a paying field? And if it is never accepted, it may simply be that you have some fine-tuning to do.

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Alyice Edrich is a Freelance and Press Release Writer. This is an excerpt from her e-booklet –Writer Guide which can be purchased at http://thedabblingmum.com/ebooklets.htm for only $3.50. Stop by The Dabbling Mum.com (http://thedabblingmum.com) – An Online Magazine for BUSY Parents and enter a FREE Contest TODAY!

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