Writing For Free
February 1, 2009
When does writing for free end? As a writer begins his journey in the publishing world, almost every writing expert suggests that you should give away your articles to build your credibility. New writers are ecstatic when they see their article published on websites and magazines. This becomes their only reward.
Other experts recommend building a good portfolio so that you can showcase your writing talent to a real magazine’s publisher. So who is this real publisher who will take you under his/her wing, understand your ambitions, and give you a break with a whole of money?
Let me be this first to break this bubble… there is no one.
I have been down that path; giving away free writing in the form of essays, articles, fiction stories, memoirs and the list goes on. I was gearing myself for that fantastic break which every writing newsletter promises, hoping earnestly against all odds. But it didn’t happen.
Writing for free should be discouraged. People take advantage of talented writers and give them nothing. Few weeks of displaying their article on a simple website only helps the owner of the website and does nothing for the writer. Glory doesn’t pay bills. Most eminent publishers and publishing houses don’t consider such articles published in these small time websites as worthy. So in the end, the writer suffers.
Too many rejection letters and an array of fresh articles often frustrate a writer. The yearning to be published and popular compels him to give away articles for free. This is not healthy sign. A writer should never give away their articles because they cannot find a suitable market. If there is no market then learn to create a niche and relate it to some other topic.
Frustration and disappointments never help a writer in their writing goal. So if you are a new writer and struggling to get a foothold in this writing world, then I suggest you take less amount of money based on your experience but never work for free.
©Nayna, 2007-2009. All Rights Reserved.
Similar Posts
Comments
Got something to say?
