As a freelance writer, the majority of my income comes from helping other people write, edit and even learn more about honing their craft. I consider this part of my talent as much a gift as the actual writing I do. It took me a life-time to realize I am good enough to share my gift with the world, and now that I have, I consider myself quite blessed.
I've said all along that what I am is a conduit. That is, even though I have (and continue to) studied the art of words, more often than not it's not just me who writes. More often than not, I get an idea, start out with just a line or two, and then my fingers fly across the keyboard for however long it takes for me to complete that thought. The thing is, I have no idea what I'm 'saying'. The words just come out...and my job is to let them. Conduit.
I've always marveled at this. Sometimes, after I'm done with a piece or a chapter or whatever it is I'm doing, I'll go back and read what I've typed...and wonder, "where the heck did that come from?" Sometimes it's brilliant stuff. Other times it's funny as hell. Other times, it's so profound that I know it wasn't me who came up with it. No matter what the result, I always get the same feeling...tingles up my arms, down my back, down to my tippy-toes. Yep. The Muse visited. I love that part.
The other side of this coin is the 'freelancing' part. When I review ads that people have posted for "paying gigs", I am mostly insulted. People post ads with headers that lead you to believe there's actual money involved. They have this long list of demands and then, at the very end of their post, they'll say something like: "small start-up so no pay involved BUT you will add exposure to your name as a writer and may also add it to your portfolio."
Gee. How nice of you. I'm so freakin' honored.
I wonder how people in other professions would react to such ads. Can you see it? The ad would read:
"Top notch Structural Engineer wanted. Must have minimum 5 years experience with verifiable references. Master's Degree required (minumum). Multi-million dollar project with big-name backers. No pay. However, you will have the honor of being able to say it was your design AND you may add it to your growing portfolio. Only serious, talented Engineers need apply."
Can you imagine????
Well, this is precisely the kind of thing I read every single day. And as much as I want to just ignore them and not respond, sometimes it's really tough. I want to call them up and read them the riot act. I want to send them letter bombs filled with sticky confetti that will clog their keyboards and make a huge mess in their offices. I want to mail them boxes of sour milk and bad literature. I want to block them from ever being able to buy a book at Amazon.com ever again. I want to string them up in the middle of Town Square, strap Bose headphones on their heads and force them to listen to B-Rated romance novels at full blast.
One of the other things about these ads that really bugs me is that I know there are people out there who will actually take the job. Maybe they're not 'good' writers, maybe they're not writers at all. But whoever they are, they make it five times more difficult for those of us who actually have talent...and ethics. Pisses me off like you wouldn't believe. Kind of like the whole 'outsourcing' that American companies have done with overseas labor. It's just not right!
I say it's high time we, as writers, take our stand. Stop working for pennies. Stop accepting such insulting, degrading offers for so-called "paying gigs". Demand your worth! Demand respect. And for God's sake, demand excellence from and for yourself.
You deserve it.
Camille Strate is a blossoming Being who spends much of her time writing, romping with her critters and occasionally crafting treasures from wood. Her latest book, "Whispers ~ The Often Subtle Sometimes Rowdy Voice Of Truth" is now available in paperback and eBook formats. For more information, please visit her site at: JoyZAChoice. Woodwitch.etsy.com
Hi Camille, I enjoyed your article quite a bit. I definitely could relate when you mention that you just let the idea flow and words just follow. I also get the same reactions by contemplating the aftermath. Thank you for sharing. All the best Respond to this comment
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