I originally intended to keep this blog fairly upbeat and positive when first I began to write it. I still do for the most part, but I wanted to take a moment to address an issue which many writers are facing. The issue of getting paid a wage that we can survive on.
The written word is an important thing. It could arguably be considered one of the enduring signs of civilization and has helped elevate us out of the general squalor of day-to-day living.
Writing, in general, has allowed us to record our history. It permits us to find out what is going on in other parts of the world and keep in touch with our friends and family. It even allows us to escape from the general squalor of day-to-day living by providing us with fictional universes where we can spend a little time now and again.
I graduated from college with a diploma in print journalism and, while I have not pursued a career at a newspaper or magazine, I have been keeping an eye on what is happening to the careers of the people I went to college with. And I am deeply saddened by what has been happening. The newspaper industry is being carved up, bit by bit, and fed to the gods of profit. And this has resulted in casualties both locally and across the country.
In fact, the written word as a whole is being distinctly undervalued. Take what I am doing for example. I am currently working as a ghost writer producing articles for the internet. It is a tough job and made tougher by people who refuse to pay.
I have discovered a couple of facts, and these facts are (and in no particular order):
1. Being able to string words together on paper or on a screen does not make you a writer. The amount of terrible writing I have seen passed off as professional writing makes me fear for the future. Literally. Some of it has been particularly terrible.
2. While there are fantastic people out there who are completely above board and who want to treat their writers well and I have been fortunate enough to deal with a few of them who I continue to work for gladly and whose work I dedicate most of my time to. But, sadly, there are far too many people who are exactly the opposite. I have encountered two of them so far who fall into that second category. In the interests of being professional, both of these men will remain nameless.
I feel that if the written word were not being severely undervalued in general, #2 fact would not be an issue.
I have been reading books on freelancing and they urge professionalism in matters such as this. So I ask, what is one to do when you get cheated and there is no recourse? Suggestions are appreciated because I am of two minds about this. I have options and some are a little less professional than others. So I ask... what would you do?
The written word is an important thing. It could arguably be considered one of the enduring signs of civilization and has helped elevate us out of the general squalor of day-to-day living.
Writing, in general, has allowed us to record our history. It permits us to find out what is going on in other parts of the world and keep in touch with our friends and family. It even allows us to escape from the general squalor of day-to-day living by providing us with fictional universes where we can spend a little time now and again.
I graduated from college with a diploma in print journalism and, while I have not pursued a career at a newspaper or magazine, I have been keeping an eye on what is happening to the careers of the people I went to college with. And I am deeply saddened by what has been happening. The newspaper industry is being carved up, bit by bit, and fed to the gods of profit. And this has resulted in casualties both locally and across the country.
In fact, the written word as a whole is being distinctly undervalued. Take what I am doing for example. I am currently working as a ghost writer producing articles for the internet. It is a tough job and made tougher by people who refuse to pay.
I have discovered a couple of facts, and these facts are (and in no particular order):
1. Being able to string words together on paper or on a screen does not make you a writer. The amount of terrible writing I have seen passed off as professional writing makes me fear for the future. Literally. Some of it has been particularly terrible.
2. While there are fantastic people out there who are completely above board and who want to treat their writers well and I have been fortunate enough to deal with a few of them who I continue to work for gladly and whose work I dedicate most of my time to. But, sadly, there are far too many people who are exactly the opposite. I have encountered two of them so far who fall into that second category. In the interests of being professional, both of these men will remain nameless.
I feel that if the written word were not being severely undervalued in general, #2 fact would not be an issue.
I have been reading books on freelancing and they urge professionalism in matters such as this. So I ask, what is one to do when you get cheated and there is no recourse? Suggestions are appreciated because I am of two minds about this. I have options and some are a little less professional than others. So I ask... what would you do?
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