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Kim Wilson
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Hamilton, NJ 08610
Tel: (609) 888-1683
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Dabbling for
Dollars . . . .
When Is a Writer a Writer?
by Alyice Edrich
Copyright © 2005, Alyice Edrich
A writer is someone who loves the written word and writes.
Each writer writes for a different reason, some write for the mere satisfaction
of seeing pen to paper. Others write because it releases the stresses of the
day. Others write to clear the mind and find solutions to problems. Others write
because it is freeing to the soul. And still others write because it unleashes
the creative mind.
I heard it once said, "to not write, would mean utter death to my soul." And how
true that is. Writing has a way of shaping minds, changing attitudes, and
bringing about compassion.
So when does one become a published writer? A writer becomes published only when
she perseveres through piles upon piles of rejection slips and doesn't give up.
The writer doesn't give up because her passion for writing won't let her quit;
not because she knows that "there is money to be made in them tharn hills."
When starting out as a writer, remember that you don't have to take every crappy
deal that comes your way. It's okay to take a few "write for free" clients, so
that you can build up your clips and show prospective clients that you can meet
deadlines. It's even okay to "write for free" for causes that you believe in;
but you can't pay the bills this way. Believe in yourself and stand up for what
you are worth.
Taking small jobs is a great way to build up to the bigger ones. It allows you
to prove your talents. It also helps writers learn to gracefully accept
rejections and requests for rewrites.
Writing filler articles pays minimal but writers can use those ideas to expand
on other articles, for more money.
While "Write for Hire" sites own all rights to the writer's work, these sites
are steady income and can help to build up a writer's confidence. The downside,
is that some "write for hire" jobs cannot be seen outside of the company they
were written for, while other "write for hire" jobs are published without the
writers knowing where to find their articles. And still, some "write for hire"
articles don't even give the writers a byline.
One thing to keep in mind when one "writes for hire"
is that it means that the owner can resell the work and make a profit, but the
author (or writer) gets nothing more than the original fee given at the time the
article was sold.
When choosing which market to write for, the writer must decide the purpose of
her writing. Is it merely to see one's name in print? Is it to change the views
of others? Is it to pay the bills? Or is it a combination of things? No matter
what the reason, finding goals, setting them, and taking small steps to reach
those goals every day, is what makes a writer a "published" writer.
So when does a writer feel like a writer? The answer is a simple paradox, "when
doesn't a writer feel like a writer?"
 Alyice Edrich is an affordable
freelance writer specializing in how-to articles and Q&A interviews for the Web.
To view her freelance writing rates, or to hire her for your next writing
project, visit http://alyiceedrich.net.
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