What is the point of writing if you don't get paid for it?

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   Mark Ewbieposted 9 years ago

   OK I feel slightly mean now.  Here is some advice that your analyst would charge big bucks for.
   
   Drop the memes.  They obviously piss people off - so don't do them.  They are NOT funny or clever.
   
   Interact in a more give and take way.  Read what people say, try to contribute on topic and with some degree of sense and thought.
   
   Consider there are other people on here.  It is NOT all about you. We SHARE these forums and sometimes learn and swap useful titbits.  News, tips, or just moans - they make the place worth visiting.
   
   Some people are assholes.  But not ALL the time.

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   DasEngelposted 9 years ago

   

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      Mark Ewbieposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Pathetic.
      
      Good bye.

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         DasEngelposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         

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   Stacie Lposted 9 years ago

   If you write on a blog, you don't get direct payment, but over time, may be paid better as the blog ads generate revenue. I've been trying this tactic for a long time without making much money, but I guess I am hopeful.

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      TessSchlesingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

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         DrMark1961posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         I hope this works! I do not have any ads on my blog so it is not generating revenue yet--the writing is just to distribute information.

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            TessSchlesingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

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               DrMark1961posted 9 years agoin reply to this

               I am writing it with the intent to inform, but, as you have pointed out, it is certainly nice to earn a little too.

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                  Jean Bakulaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  Exactly. And if it helps us feel good in the creative process, that's another bonus.

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   Stacie Lposted 9 years ago

   Obviously I'm not that successful

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   DivineHeroineposted 9 years ago

   At times, I write to help recover myself from traumatic experiences, but what matters most is I write to heal others and help inspire them.
   Knowing that they learned something from it all or be uplifted after reading what I wrote is worth more than all the money in the world.

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      TessSchlesingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

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         DasEngelposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Just checked out Writing.com. I think HubPages should acquire it!

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         tsmogposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Thank You!! I had not known of this resource and certainly will consider. And, too, a great recommendation for a friend banned by HP once long ago, even though success today with children books as writer and illustrator. There is value with the social enterprise at times lending toward the commercial perhaps a different pathway?

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      Jean Bakulaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Divine Heroine,
      I also write because it heals me and I hope that some of what I write is healing or helpful to others. I like to get paid, but am not ruled by money. Many people have written to me on various group sites and personal blogs and complimented my writing, but it's the ones who told me that I helped them or made them feel better that meant the most to me. When we have a certain niche, part of our reason for having it should be to teach what we have learned; to pass on our knowledge. Money comes and goes. Creative outlets are important in life.

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         Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         +1

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   Jodahposted 9 years ago

   Pay me $5.00 and I'll write a 100 word comment

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      VationSaysposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      hahaha! #Win

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      billybucposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Love it, John!

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   DasEngelposted 9 years ago

   

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8. 87

   Nell Roseposted 9 years ago

   I think the answer to the question why write on here etc, has got to be:
   
   'if you have to ask, then you are not a writer'
   
   I read that somewhere, and to be honest its nearly true, I write on here for the fun of it, the research, hoping it will help others and so on. And the money does come in handy even if its only a little bit. If I get an idea to write then I have to get it down. I enjoy the 'company' of other writers on here, made some awesome friends, and I love reading their stuff too.

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9. 80

   Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

   Lets say HP shuts down because only people who want to make money write here.
     Lets just say the creative ones who are still kind of practicing or are trying to change the world with their common sense and wisdom decide to take their words and go …
      well, that would be sad!
   wouldn't it?

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      TessSchlesingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

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         Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         I wish I understood your actual point.
         
         <"Nobody practiced writing. We simply wrote and submitted to print magazines for publication. If it was accepted, we got paid. If it wasn't accepted, we didn't get paid.">
         
         I feel sorry for you when you state such a thing.
         Writers enjoy the process of writing and ALWAYS HAVE!!!!
         Practice makes perfect. When you get rejected you wonder why.
         You figure out where you could IMPROVE!
         Who is a perfect writer?
         YOU?
         
         I guess so.

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            TessSchlesingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

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               qeylerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

               I know exactly what you are saying.  In Ja. I wrote a couple of letters to the Editor cause I was cheesed off and they gave me a slot to write for the paper.  I mean, I never 'practiced'  I never was 'tested'. 
               
               You have to remember, when you were in primary school, (like 6th grade) what you were taught, what you knew, is equivalent to a High School Senior. 
               
               There has been a serious dumbing down coupled with a kind of 'Animal Farm' sheep production.  1984 arrived in 2002.

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    Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

    I would say even those who write professionally are practicing every single time they write. What if they were not writing for money OR pleasure, Their writing skills would diminish.
    The Way I see It
    
    Also if HubPages only wants serious money-making types they should state it.
    
    
    So, why this discussion anyway?

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11. 93

    peeplesposted 9 years ago

    I don't need anything for writing. Writing to me is like reading a book, gardening, or watching tv. It's for relaxation. I certainly don't do it for some form of fame, I don't even use my real name. I get paid a fair price for what I write, but it certainly isn't enough to consider it a money making adventure.
    I write because my mind is filled with words and I like to write them instead of speak them sometimes.
    I also have a unique background and hope that by sharing it maybe I can help someone out there. I'm just hopeful that some foster kid or abused kid out there finds some peace because of something I have written, or some foster parent realizes they can do things different.
    I got an email a couple years ago from a woman, just out of foster care. She signed up here and emailed me through HP (not sure if that is still a feature). She had gone through similar situations as I had and after reading the article I wrote she wanted to reach out to me to feel like she had someone who understood. I still wonder about her today, and am glad for a moment she felt connected and understood.  I feel like I have good reasons to write.
    I wrote here for 2 years without signing up for adsense or any of the ad programs. I only signed up for it after my husband suggested it. This is no different that me watching tv. Just the thing I do at the end of the day to relax.

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    Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

    I think I am missing an important piece of info as to why this thread was started.

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       TessSchlesingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

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          Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          Well, thanks for ranting.
          Things change.
          
            We could all go on and on and on.
          Why bother.
          
          
          There are other ways to make money!

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    Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

    <" … one must have superior writing skills which include an excellent command of English, acute thinking & analytical skills."> Not to mention a sense of how things should be spelled.
    
    
    How are these skills developed would you say?

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14. 80

    Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

    So, good writers are just BORN? And the rest of us should stay in our caves painting bison on the walls?
    I really disagree.
    
    Really, really disagree.

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       TessSchlesingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

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          Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          I am really quite used to not getting paid for what I do. I am a swimming teacher. Aquatics is poverty city.
          We lifeguards /swimming teachers / Aqua Fit instructors are are all willing to work for low pay because it is just so darn fun!
          Thats life.
            As far as writing, the computer/internet is to blame.
          You gotta go with the flow.
          Maybe if you loosen up (,) (would a comma go there or not?) your writing will improve!
          Then you could get a book published!
          Right?

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15. 80

    Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

    Repeating:
    "So, good writers are just BORN? And the rest of us should stay in our caves painting bison on the walls?"
    
    What is the solution, Tess Schlesinger ?

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    Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

    <"Tough. Every single best selling writer I have spoken to at San Diego Comic Con International has told me that it's a talent.
    It is.">
      I think I get it now … 

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       TessSchlesingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

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          Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          I can't go on … !     

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             TessSchlesingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

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                Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                cool!

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    Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

    <" I have books published. I have had thousands of articles published in print and on the web. I have worked as an editor and ghostwriter for publishing houses. Google me.">
    
    My you are busy!

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    word55posted 9 years ago

    For the fun of it and what we can come up with. It really has nothing to do with money.

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       Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       +1

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    Geekgurlposted 9 years ago

    I look at writing as a way to help people in addition to socializing.  I have a fulltime job and a part-time position, so I really don't do it for the money.  I haven't really been active on Hubpages since squidoo transferred everything over, but I plan to be more involved.  These are the communities I enjoy being apart of since there is so many diverse topics and interesting perceptions.

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20. 73

    LeanManposted 9 years ago

    House Painters vs Fine Artists
    
    I write for MONEY - this is my full time job that I do to support my family - 2 kids in college, 1 in school, wife that wants new shoes and handbags, a niece whose no good father is too busy to support and the mother has vanished etc... So I have to agree you should not write for free...
    
    I create my websites to earn - if they did not earn then I would not create them.. I put pages on here to earn. Even if they only earn a few cents if they are doing it month after month it all adds up.
    
    I wrote on here to learn initially - I wanted to earn and learn the ropes, I never expected to earn a lot and have been quite happy with what I have managed to achieve here with a regular payout. But this is the smallest of my eggs and if it stopped paying - well I would probably move the content where it would still earn.
    The best of my personal websites now earns in 4 figures, the worst also in 4 figures but you have to include the cents on those.. They are there to earn, but I earn by offering my readers what they want to see not just turning out crap.
    
    I also do freelance writing, I don't look at $ per word, I look at the job and think how much can I earn per hour. A high $/word could mean many hours of research and revision of the work to get it so perfect that it squeaks as you slide it onto the page. While a lower $/word can mean that you can race it out without too much effort and still earn. I manage to earn $15+ per hour as a minimum with my crap writing. (I was not born with the talent, I don't have a talent for writing, I am just persistent at what I do..)
    
    BUT..
    
    I get pissed off when I go onto places like odesk/upwork and see people asking for 500 word articles in perfect English for $1. and there will be dozens of applicants for the work as they need the money and are desperate to do anything to earn a few bucks. Some of the locals where I live now here in the Philippines earn only $5 a day for a full days hard labor. So writing 5 articles for $5 seems like a good deal to the better educated who cannot find better work. Then the same work is offered out for editing at 50c an article!!
    Makes it very hard for people that want to earn a decent living from what they do!
    
    So yes I agree - you should not write for free, or for peanuts - unless you want to write lots of pages and give them to me so that I can earn from your hard work..
    
    My earning rely on me getting paid, if everyone else is writing for free then I will not get paid..
    
    Thankfully however there are few people that write for free in the areas that I write - I don't do fiction, I don't write recipes or opinion pieces - the closest that I have to that are my articles about working in Saudi Arabia.
    
    I guess when it comes to writing you could look at me as a "House painter", I aint gonna come paint your house for free I have to earn a living - maybe "you" think you are a "fine artist" - but then maybe you will not earn anything until after you are dead...
    
    Anyway guys - have to go earn some money - that is all the free writing that you are getting today........

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       Jodahposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Well said.

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       kaiyan717posted 9 years agoin reply to this

       I work on Odesk and I can say there are those that work for peanuts. I don't even try to compete. I make 30-40 dollars an hour for fiction writing and yes, there will always be those clients that will pay top rates. Fact is, I have more work than I can handle. I raise my children on my writing, so I agree that I need to be paid. But others may not need that and it does not change/hurt my chances of making a living. Like you, I have found a way to make it work. That is what it comes down to, making it work for you. Now Hubpages was just an experiment and no the 50-100 a month doesn't pay the bills, but it is steady, passive and once and a while, an article goes viral and you bring in over 6k in a month. That makes it a legitimate source in my eyes.

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          Aliswellposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          Thanks for the Great Input!

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       AshlyChristenposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       i would like to get paid to write, i just think i do not know where to look...any suggestions?

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    sriramapriyaposted 9 years ago

    This is priya,  I have a blog, through that i can earn little money, i joined hub pages, four years back, Hub pages is a source to show the world what are we, and also a source to earn money, still now no earning on hub pages, sometimes i get one click, sometimes i did not get any clicks,  but still am Happy to write in Hub pages, with one hope i can also earn money through Hub pages and i too want become popular write through only hub pages. Due to Cancer i left Hub pages and my blog, this days.    again i stated working on hub pages and on my blog to earn money only one source of my life to earn money.

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       TessSchlesingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

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          Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          "Here's a simple equation that spells it out:
          
          A content-rich page = Highly-targeted ads
          Highly-targeted ads + Interested users = Healthy clickthrough & conversion rates
          Healthy clickthrough & conversion rates = Success!"
          https://support.google.com/adsense/answer/81554
          
          
          could you explain this, Tess?
          
          what is "content rich?"
          what is "content?"
          Some of my hubs which I thought were content-rich are not attracting in the least.

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          sriramapriyaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          Thank you Tess, thank you for your suggestion. I will work with full dedication, without missing above comments.

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    srivposted 9 years ago

    Wonderful hub!!

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    writeyourwrongsposted 9 years ago

    Some people enjoy entertaining others. It's like when you think of a really funny joke, you can't just tell it yourself and laugh (well, you can, but you probably wouldn't) - you only really enjoy that joke once you've seen somebody else's reaction to it.
    
    Having said that, if you don't pay me, I'm very unlikely to write anything for you ;-)

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    Susana Sposted 9 years ago

    There are plenty of high paying writing opportunities if you have the skills. That fact isn't diminished by hobby writers.

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    Aliswellposted 9 years ago

    As if to have the "Gaul" to interject my Two Cents Worth...I must admit, I find it unimaginable that the individuals who are making the "Livings"; "Big Bucks"; "Accolades of the Ages", Etc.etc...have 1.) The desire to post either Original Hubs, or 2.) Response after Response after Response on this site????
    
    I am just one insignificant soul, and a Very infinitely small contributor to the Gazillions of Writers or simple purveyors of the written Word. But my 'soul'/sole reason is for emptying those floating clouds of jumbled letters into...at this time of my life...cyberspace!! Hopefully the readers of such nonsense can stroke or cane me back to reality???
    
    I do, however. find it most enjoyable to learn from those few 'Next to Godly' ones who offer their time and expertise on how.. We Non-Gifted by the Grace of the "Writer's God" types...can hopefully develop a craft and some 'Coin of the Realm' for beer money!!!

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       Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       +1
       
       (By beer you mean "can of drink!")
       
       
       The truth is, CONTENT is a mystery.
       It is something magical and elusive until caught by those fish who think its really something … for whatever unfathomable reason!
       
       if you ask me …  which ...

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       TessSchlesingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

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          Aliswellposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          If I were to request someone to edit My Feeble and 'Semi-Literate' Attempts at purging my thoughts through the written word...Trust me your Services would be Very ---------

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             writeyourwrongsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

             I don't understand.

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                Aliswellposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                I like to think of the 'Very....'
                As A 'Dangling Modifier', in as much as I leave my response for the Reader to Fill in the Blanks?

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                   writeyourwrongsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                   It's more your use of capitalisation I find interesting. I'd love to hear about how you choose to place them?

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                      Aliswellposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                      Sorry to disappoint, But my formatting technique has nothing to do with the 'Literary Community' accepted or required, Capitalization criteria!
                      I simply have a gut feeling that requires emphasis on particular words or phrases.

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                         writeyourwrongsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                         OK that makes sense. I know people who post in other forums using similar techniques.

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    Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

    Words are not like paper clips. Some words are needed by some people and some words are not needed by anyone.
    Paper clips are totally needed all the time by everybody.

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       WriteAngledposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       I haven't seen a paper clip for years....

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       AshlyChristenposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       very nice

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    Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

    maybe unprofessional writers who are just doing it for the fun and not the money are immature.
      like kids.
    oh well.
    sorry about that.

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       writeyourwrongsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Listening to you and the OP argue is something I would pay good money for.
       
       Actually I wouldn't - if I paid, you'd stop and then the argument would become a monologue, which would entertain me less.
       Please continue.

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          Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          Hey, thanks!  I would get all nervous if you did pay.

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    Quillianposted 9 years ago

    Well, I think everyone here proves a few good points. People are social animals, language is a living dynamic and...wait for it...when you put those things together then the spectrum for reasoning and rationale comes full circle.
    
    Should we be paid if we can put a couple of fine symbols together to form a concept? Shakespeare added many words to our dictionary and I don't think he was grammatically correct to all of his teachers. We write for all the reasons mentioned and more; to connect to each other, to educate, to entertain, to blow off steam, and to make money or for fame (although I think the fame thing is delusional).
    
    Sure I would love to get money for writing, but unless the writing is successful then the advertisers aren't going to knock down my door. So I have to get my name and a sample of my product out there.
    
    The more established my name and work become, the higher the paycheck gets. If you're only successful with controversial subject matter, guess what...those day jobs better not see your material connected to your name or you won't have one of those either.

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       Aliswellposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Well Said!

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          Quillianposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          Thanks, this is an important topic and I love it when people can come together and disagree respectfully.

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             Aliswellposted 9 years agoin reply to this

             I agree with "Respectfully' wholeheartedly!!!
             I almost went to the 'Darkside' when I was dubbed a 'Semi- Literate' but thankfully, pulled back from the 'Gates of Payback', and instead used my 'Dangling Modifier' to ease the pain!

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                Quillianposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                I understand your pain, it really bothered me when I saw the word "addition" replacing "addiction" so I guess when I think everyone needs an edit I should stick to my guns!

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    AshlyChristenposted 9 years ago

    indeed!
    Writing is so much a part of me it is hard to ignore. I put up the pen for a long time but it calls to me every day! It really is an addiction. It can be healthy and it can be unhealthy. I think I realized I was not pulling my muse from a healthy part of me so I took a few years to consider this. Now I am feeling a very strong pull again. I am somewhat lost, I am not sure what I am being pulled to but I can feel it nonetheless
    I have posted a couple articles, a piece of poetry and a handful of recipes but I am not sure what my niche will be.
    mulling it over day after day
    I want to make a profit
    I always have wanted to make something of it, but here I am posting hubs like the hundreds of writers on here hoping that theirs catches the public eye.....and still I wonder....why.?

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    theraggededgeposted 9 years ago

    Reading some of these comments is like dwelling in a parallel universe for a time
    
    There are people making sense, people making no sense at all, some go off on a tangent, there are writers, there are non-writers (it's easy to tell), there are hopefuls and those who have been there and done that. It is all very joyful and entertaining on a dull, wet Welsh Tuesday morning.
    
    Happy December!

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    makingamarkposted 9 years ago

    No point in responding - just press the button and report it to HQ

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       Jodahposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Done

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    PrePreyanshuposted 9 years ago

    I don't think that getting rewarded is always the prime motive of every actin a human commits ya it's obvious I would like fame.... So my question is that how can i get more followers plz answer as soon as possible....

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       Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Just build it and build it well on the ground of your own personally held, solid and true beliefs. They will come.
       And edit like the Charles Dickens.

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    Aelbarshaposted 9 years ago

    Being paid for writing, is a reward. But certainly, feedback, especially if positive, is a BIG reward!

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    Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

    I would rather have only one follower who supports and understands my work, rather than be paid by mindless multitudes.

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    Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

    oops … see what happens when you mention the B word?
    good to know.

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    Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

    If hobby writers are welcome on HubPages, I really don't understand the existence of this thread.
    Should I delete all my unpaid for works and GO?
    
    ~ or should I not feel defensive, and STAY?
    I hate feeling defensive.
    
    P.S. I really don't see me signing up for Adsense.
    
    Maybe that should be the requirement for joining HubPages:
    " Just sign up for Adsense and you're IN!" … otherwise its: "Go start your own website, Good Luck with that …"
    ?
    Maybe I am not where I should be.

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       qeylerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       If you can get an adsense account here, you can use it on your own blog. So you can get paid.  You would only put one ad on a page or so...

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          Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          +1

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       NateB11posted 9 years agoin reply to this

       I think you should stay. Your writings add value to the site.

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       TessSchlesingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

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          Susana Sposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          I think it's because you used "you" a lot in your opening post plus the post title so people related the questions to themselves as hubbers.
          
          But to answer your question of why people write for sites like huff post or the Atlantic for no direct monetary gain. They can get other valuable rewards which may lead to income in the future such as a very high value link and lots of new visitors to their site and/or social media profiles.

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          makingamarkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          Tess
          
          1) because you have a much wider perspective on the writing world derived from your experience - so you knew what you were talking about - and a number of other people and I did too
          
          2) because the thread stayed on topic for a long time before being derailed
          
          3) because when threads get long (and/or get derailed by attention seekers) people don't bother to read all the posts or follow the arguments and just respond with whatever is uppermost in their minds - irrespective of whether or not this is relevant to the topic of the thread
          
          4) ...and finally... I think very possibly because others have only ever written here and have little experience of the world outside HubPages - hence if you're talking about writing you must be talking about HubPages!

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    Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

    Thanks, Nate. Your article, "SEO, Art, Money or Passion: Why Do You Write Online?" answered a lot of questions for me.
    
    Paul Edmondson posted this elsewhere awhile back:
    I hope this clears things up:
    
    "HubPages is a place to read and write about topics you're passionate about.
    
    Our mission is to be the best place to discover and create original, In-depth, media rich, useful pages.
    
    HubPages is NOT a place to publish for a link or to solely promote something.
    
    There is a place for people on HubPages that want to earn residual income by sharing their knowledge. However, to have your product reviews or information earn, it requires a high level of expertise and deep details.  We know it's not easy, and the people we see be successful over the long term are experts in what they write about and are more focused on the content than the monetization."
    http://hubpages.com/forum/post/2756019

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    Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

    P.S. I have great respect for those who are good at the money aspect of writing here and anywhere. After all, what's wrong with a little $$$?

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    Murtaza Abbasiposted 9 years ago

    Can you teach this to Stack Exchangers because they write more than a Hubber "in my opinion".
    Somebody asked this question from them and what they answered, check it.

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    Barbsbitsnpiecesposted 9 years ago

    So, Tess, are you speaking about people writing gratis generally for websites sponsored by the likes of Atlantic, etc., as mentioned in your initial comments? But do your thoughts include writing gratis for websites like Hubpages, Bubblews, etc., which pay little, or nothing?
    
    There is no way Internet writing ever will be corralled (or unionized) by writers who seek payment. Gratis writers are all over the Internet because it's there, available. Some sites that paid rather well, Helium, AssociatedContent, Suite101, all closed, or reformatted to avoid regular payment to writers not because they wanted gratis work done, but because they couldn't continue to profit while paying hundreds of thousands, even millions, of writers worldwide.
    
    I'm a freelance writer and retired journalist. I earned when sites were available for writing profits up front. Now, one must play the market and have multiple opportunities going on the Internet to earn. And I can understand your concern about gratis work making it more difficult for "job" writers. However, the Internet is a worldwide forum and it isn't right for anyone to suggest certain writers should do journals, or get into nursing, instead of being a gratis writer. Those are personal choices.
    
    As long as the Internet provides a gratis "Publish" button, all kinds of writers will participate with all kinds of aspirations.

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       Aliswellposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Love your response, it gives those of us who are "Lost in Woods of Literary Madness"...more to think about!!!

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          qeylerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          I would think that a writer who is not paid on Site X would create various blogs, use adsense, and write and network.    Why write on Site X if not paid?

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             Barbsbitsnpiecesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

             I have a number of blogs I write for the fun of community writing and meeting writers -- another great benefit of Internet writing anywhere -- to network on topics and opinions. For me, writing has always been passion and fun first -- My Writing Life Xposed. Sometimes it's been a paid job -- a bonus of the art. If a writer isn't enjoying the personal satisfaction of wordsmithing -- creating, editing, rewriting, etc. -- in what ever capacity, much of the joy of writing itself is being missed.
             
             Why write if one isn't being paid for it? Because writing isn't always about having a "job" of it; sometimes it's internetting, networking, community connection, people relationships... as already has been expressed here by a number of persons.

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                Aliswellposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                I like the People part myself. Have got several people on HP that I like to read and learn from!

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                   Barbsbitsnpiecesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                   I do, too, Aliswell. Even if posting isn't as frequent on my part as I grow older with less energy to spare, people who love to write is what first attracted me to Internet writing. I actually was astounded to learn that so many people worldwide consider writing a passion that they find outlets for wherever they can, regardless of monetary benefits, and who find writing connections with other people a satisfying reward, as well.

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                Jodahposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                I agree Barb.

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                   TessSchlesingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

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                      wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                      Not a sacrilege, but just sad.  If one doesn't enjoy the activity that earns them a living they are in the wrong business.

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                         TessSchlesingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

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                            Solarasposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                            +1 LOL

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                            wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                            No, it means they (and you) need to change what you are doing to earn that living.  That you will spend a third of your life in activity you hate just to have food and a roof is truly sad, although a great many people do just that.

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                               TessSchlesingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

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                                  Solarasposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                  And even if you are lucky enough to be employed in an industry you love, there are co-workers, bosses and office politics etc.. that can ruin it for everyone.
                                  
                                  If you still are not troubled by any of the above, there are corporate takeovers that result in massive restructuring, redundancy of workers, penny pinching and eventual enslavement of the few remaining workers, who must now do the job of 3 people. They delight in working overtime for no overtime pay, while 4 levels of managers, each managing one person, scrutinize their production.

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                                  wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                  And certainly if you never make an effort to find work you like or enjoy, you never will.  You will always be stuck with a job you hate.
                                  
                                  You like swimming - have you looked for work cleaning giant aquariums?  Underwater welding?  Oceanography?  Training dolphins?  The entertainment business?  Or do you just write it all off as either "impossible" or still work and therefore something to be disliked?
                                  
                                  I think most people could find something they enjoy, or at least don't hate...but only if they are willing to put forth the effort and pay the price.  As most people are not, they will remain forever stuck, hating to get up in the morning because they have to go to work.

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                                     Solarasposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                     I had a psychology professor that related this tale to us, in order to make a point about work versus doing what you enjoy. In college he needed to make some extra money to support himself. He loved to play the saxophone, and was very good at it. He joined a band that played hours late into the evenings; it seemed ideal at first.
                                     
                                     But as time went on, it became a chore.  Having to do it for the money took away the pleasure of playing the sax.  Ultimately he began to hate the instrument, and as soon as he could quit this gig, he did so and quit playing the saxophone altogether for decades.

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                                        Marisa Wrightposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                        I've met people with similar experiences, including a hobby photographer who tried to make a living from photography and found it spoiled his enjoyment of taking photos.  I think it all depends how much freedom you have to pursue the activity the way YOU want.   Often if you make it a career, you have to compromise and do what your clients want (e.g. taking wedding photos to please the customer's requirements instead of what you'd find artistically pleasing). 
                                        
                                        Likewise if you make a career as a writer - often to make the most money, you need to write what's commercial rather than what you'd find fulfilling to write.

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                                           Solarasposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                           I think you hit the nail on the head.  Many people still enjoy making a living from their avocation, while once it becomes rigid - perhaps you have bosses or team members that place restrictions on yo -, it becomes a grind.

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                                        wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                        That's what I said - if any kind of work is defined as being hateful then you will never find anything you enjoy doing.  It is, to a large degree, a mindset as well as preference in what is "fun".
                                        
                                        And there is another facet as well, in plain old boredom.  I started a new career at the age of 45 and truly did enjoy it.  Some hard, nasty work, but mostly something I could enjoy doing.  But after 15 years of it, there was nothing new to learn or do; it had become repetitive to a large degree and I no longer enjoyed the work as I had.  Sometimes that's all it is; boredom and time to move to something new.

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                                           Solarasposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                           +1

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                                           Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                                           1. Work for a living doing what you used to love, but now hate, because you can sew those darn Speedos with your eyes closed, (after all, its been more than ten years.)
                                           2. Keep that job because it is very hard to find another one with all the benefits that Speedo is providing, plus the fact you are grandfathered in. Also when you retire you will have even more benefits which you would lose if you quit. Oh well, you have to keep working at Speedo until you retire and are way too fat to fit into any of those suits ...
                                           3. Meanwhile you have the money you need for the roof over your head and most importantly, your computer which enables you to type your head off anywhere you want expressing all your magnificent thoughts and organizing them so others can understand them. It is fun and you don't care about the money.
                                           4. Others do not want to pay you for your actual organized words, but they start to value WHAT you write as much as you do.
                                           5. In time, you learn to organize your thoughts so well you are offered writing jobs. One fine day, National Enquirer rings you up and offers you more than your current boring job, and you take it. You become a journalist! Now you have online followers galore and earn so much money you are rolling in it.
                                           6. Accidentally, after a night of imbibing in adult beverages at a party, and being dumped by your girlfriend of twelve years the night before, you accidentally submit your online journal entry titled, "I Am Greater than Mohamed," pondering how anyone could possibly dump YOU? or some such thing.  You meant one thing but people have taken it the wrong way, as what happened with John Lennon.
                                           The next thing you know you are fired or worse.
                                           
                                           No, better stick to your safe and secure job.
                                           Writing is too way risky, anyway. :-D

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                               Barbsbitsnpiecesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                               Tess, you've said you don't enjoy earning a living, but you do enjoy writing, which is how you earn your living. This is all getting a bit mixed up, wouldn't you say? Nobody has to enjoy anything they do to earn a living, but many people are proud and satisfied to be able to earn their own way -- a whole different subject.
                               
                               I'm sure many people enjoy writing because it's an art that gives benefits other than financial, is what I said. And most journalists are in that field because they do enjoy writing, if even your father and you have not been among them. This is all really a six of one and half a dozen of the other type debate.
                               
                               So is gratis writing, simple because it's not something that can be corralled. It involves personal choices.

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                Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                Very well-said, Barb. Spot on.

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    Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

    we are wired for freedom.
    when it becomes something we no longer freely choose to do it is unpleasant.
    A miserable chore. Forcing is taboo.  But if you are forced to be alive on this earth, you have to find inspiration to do what you are forced to do.
    There is no winning.
    

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    Bronwyn Joy Ellioposted 9 years ago

    To answer the OP, because one day, I might be discovered and end up getting paid. If you don't risk anything, you lose everything.

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       Solarasposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Some people use their HP articles as part of their online resume when looking for commercial work.

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    Mark Ewbieposted 9 years ago

    I have more or less stopped writing.
    
    Having more fun doing this...
    
    
    

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       Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       w o w and love it!   (colors now!)
       so much a picture ( edit: internet drawing) can say !!!!

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       Quillianposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       I have felt JUST LIKE THAT! The funny thing is, who is making up those out-dated tests?
       
       Language is a living dynamic; as our technology changes and local communication becomes real-time global communication, language also changes and develops. The universal at that point is adaptability.

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