Britain used to have a system where they would grant well-known writers in financial distress an allotment of such-and-so pounds a year, in tribute to their achievements as well as to prevent them from starving. (Arthur Machen, one writer I admire, benefitted from that towards the end of his life.) I only wish such a system existed in North America, without strings attached.
We have the grant system, of course, but the language they use in the instructions is almost like esparanto to me. Plus, they always make it contingent on certain projects, and they are biased towards some at the expense of others. At least it's healthy in Canada; the Americans are threatened by cost-cutting measures and the President's egotism.
Universal Basic Income has never been needed more than now. And underpaid writers would be the ones who would most benefit from it.
This piece made me cry. I have been writing for nearly 30 years. I have drawers full of stories, poems, children's picture books, essays. I think over that span of years; I have been paid a total of $13. My 9-5 looks like an ocean and I cannot swim.
Boy do I get that! And if you send it off, you wait months for a reply. I got better at sending when I got a writing partner - we met weekly and reported what we'd done. If that's available to you, you might consider it.
Yeah. I have a writer's group, but no one has tried to publish anything lol. I really need to find someone nearby. I think I am in a literary desert out here in Mid-Michigan.
I needed to hear this. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Some days are hard and writing feels like a complete waste of time, but reading your piece reminds me that one just needs to hang in there.
First of all, YES. The internet made it easier to be a writer and also, harder. Unpopular opinion, not everyone *is* a *good* writer. Not everyone meets each sentence, word, and syllable with care. Not everyone truly delights and is fully in alignment with their soul when telling story through the perfect combination of words and sentences and beats. AI has exacerbated this issue, making everyone think they should write a damn book with a robot helping them. The point of books is that they are arduous, artistic processes in print! Ugh. I digress...
And then there's the making money of it all. I've made most of my money (and I am 34 as I write this) from nannying for the uber wealthy. We all work for the man, I just work in his home. The frustration of this was particularly punch in the stomach-y the day my published book released and I was on the playground getting bullied by a billionaire's baby. Even with the royalty splits, I made more in a week getting pummeled by privilege than I've made in book sales.
And yet...
I know my writing is great. I know that it is truly changing people's lives for the better. I know my book is healing through humor and helping readers feel #SEEN. I know because they reach out, I've met them at book signings. Sure, they're not coming in droves (yet), but I wrote a book I am so delighted to and proud of and confident in sharing. My partner reminds me regularly that I am living the best life. When I pass, unlike many others, I will not have lived for anyone else. I am truly living in authentic purpose, and that is incredibly brave.
You are so right that not everyone is a good writer. And AI, man I can talk your ear off on that. lol. So I am curious my dear Mattie Jo -- where can I get your book?
I am a casual writer. I do not feel compelled to write every day usually, why the hesitation? Current events and the urgency of the need for immediate action is a strong motivator. Thank you for your thoughtful words, they have meaning.
I think there are a lot of writers who don't feel compelled to write every day. Even some Pulitzer winners who do not. But when it calls, it calls and won't shut up. lol
Love Love this. I've been "rowing my little boat to the moon" for years. First I wanted to be a ballet dancer...are you kidding? But I did it. Then I wanted to write and all these years later, my debut is coming out and I just won a prize. So thank you for letting other dreamers know this is possible! If you HAVE to write, don't give up. We need dreamers now.
You described my first 16 years as an aspiring writer. My father kept telling me my writing wasn't good enough. Full of glitches. Then, the mail brought an entire, requested book back. "Good luck placing this elsewhere."
I cried. And my father realized how much that rejection hurt.
Envelopes inside envelopes. Stamps by the roll. Tears.
When I was a young writer, being published weekly by several New York magazines and newspapers, my mother kept asking me, “Wouldn’t you rather be a secretary and have two weeks off each year to take a cruise?” Another formidable piece, Linda.
Your mama and mine, same thing. My sister was a secretary. She went on a cruise. Boy, don't think mama didn't point out I am babysitting my niece while my sister is on a beach.
I'd just gone to email, figuring I'd write you and ask you a question, one on one, and see if you had any wisdom you could share. Thought you might have an answer I could sip on, like some sort of margarita.
I got so much more.
You were at the top of my email list. The top. Right where I could realize, "This could be it." I'm not trying to flatter, here. I felt I was in deep need, I could think of no one else, and there you were.
Yesterday I read such an ugly "story", written by a narc whose purpose was to spew hatred. Pinged me good. The world seemed bleak. The writing world seemed bleak, I mean.
I'm not needy now. I mean, I still don't know which way to turn, but I know it doesn't matter, as long as I go. I knew that. But now I know it again. Thanks for writing.
I keep writing one last piece where you know where I am. (Strange how I feel I cannot list specifics, cannot be caught saying something wrong. Good grief.)
Thank you for writing. I'm gonna begin paying you today, if I can figure out how. Much love...
It's such a nice thing when we need something and then there is it, right when we needed it. Even nicer when I can be the one to deliver it. Sometimes what I need most is to know that my writing matters. That's where I was this morning. Wondering why I keep on. Thank you for being what I needed to hear, too. xo
Britain used to have a system where they would grant well-known writers in financial distress an allotment of such-and-so pounds a year, in tribute to their achievements as well as to prevent them from starving. (Arthur Machen, one writer I admire, benefitted from that towards the end of his life.) I only wish such a system existed in North America, without strings attached.
We have the grant system, of course, but the language they use in the instructions is almost like esparanto to me. Plus, they always make it contingent on certain projects, and they are biased towards some at the expense of others. At least it's healthy in Canada; the Americans are threatened by cost-cutting measures and the President's egotism.
Universal Basic Income has never been needed more than now. And underpaid writers would be the ones who would most benefit from it.
I agree, David. Universal Basic income would help so many people. I've read a bit about some of the studies and the more I read, the more I agree
Thanks for an inspiring article!
Thanks, Maureen :)
Love this! Thanks for sharing!
I needed this. Thank you.
This piece made me cry. I have been writing for nearly 30 years. I have drawers full of stories, poems, children's picture books, essays. I think over that span of years; I have been paid a total of $13. My 9-5 looks like an ocean and I cannot swim.
I was in your position until last year. I'm guessing you love the writing which makes you a writer! Wishing for the universe to smile on you...
Writing is my passion. I am actually pretty good at it. I am awful at selling it.
Boy do I get that! And if you send it off, you wait months for a reply. I got better at sending when I got a writing partner - we met weekly and reported what we'd done. If that's available to you, you might consider it.
Yeah. I have a writer's group, but no one has tried to publish anything lol. I really need to find someone nearby. I think I am in a literary desert out here in Mid-Michigan.
I needed to hear this. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Some days are hard and writing feels like a complete waste of time, but reading your piece reminds me that one just needs to hang in there.
Boy, I hear you. Some days I still ask myself why I'm doing this. lol.
Ohhhh how I needed this today more than you know.
First of all, YES. The internet made it easier to be a writer and also, harder. Unpopular opinion, not everyone *is* a *good* writer. Not everyone meets each sentence, word, and syllable with care. Not everyone truly delights and is fully in alignment with their soul when telling story through the perfect combination of words and sentences and beats. AI has exacerbated this issue, making everyone think they should write a damn book with a robot helping them. The point of books is that they are arduous, artistic processes in print! Ugh. I digress...
And then there's the making money of it all. I've made most of my money (and I am 34 as I write this) from nannying for the uber wealthy. We all work for the man, I just work in his home. The frustration of this was particularly punch in the stomach-y the day my published book released and I was on the playground getting bullied by a billionaire's baby. Even with the royalty splits, I made more in a week getting pummeled by privilege than I've made in book sales.
And yet...
I know my writing is great. I know that it is truly changing people's lives for the better. I know my book is healing through humor and helping readers feel #SEEN. I know because they reach out, I've met them at book signings. Sure, they're not coming in droves (yet), but I wrote a book I am so delighted to and proud of and confident in sharing. My partner reminds me regularly that I am living the best life. When I pass, unlike many others, I will not have lived for anyone else. I am truly living in authentic purpose, and that is incredibly brave.
Thank you for the gift of your words today :)
You are so right that not everyone is a good writer. And AI, man I can talk your ear off on that. lol. So I am curious my dear Mattie Jo -- where can I get your book?
Oh boy, did I need to read this this morning. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
You are so welcome. We all need that some days. And some even more than others.
I am a casual writer. I do not feel compelled to write every day usually, why the hesitation? Current events and the urgency of the need for immediate action is a strong motivator. Thank you for your thoughtful words, they have meaning.
I think there are a lot of writers who don't feel compelled to write every day. Even some Pulitzer winners who do not. But when it calls, it calls and won't shut up. lol
Love Love this. I've been "rowing my little boat to the moon" for years. First I wanted to be a ballet dancer...are you kidding? But I did it. Then I wanted to write and all these years later, my debut is coming out and I just won a prize. So thank you for letting other dreamers know this is possible! If you HAVE to write, don't give up. We need dreamers now.
You are so right, we really do need dreamers. And mad props on the prize, too
Thank you. I've gone through the same thing with my family
Boy, sometimes we just need to hear that, you know? Thank you.
Serendipity sometimes means finding what you need just when you need it. There is wind if the salls again this morning. And so to the keyboard.
I love that so much. To the keyboard indeed!
{*{*{*hugs*}*}*} dear lady 💚💚💚
Thank you Jack :)
You described my first 16 years as an aspiring writer. My father kept telling me my writing wasn't good enough. Full of glitches. Then, the mail brought an entire, requested book back. "Good luck placing this elsewhere."
I cried. And my father realized how much that rejection hurt.
Envelopes inside envelopes. Stamps by the roll. Tears.
Then my first sale to Harlequin.
We didn't quit. Good for us!
Hugs,
Linda
Right? I can sure relate to envelopes inside envelopes.
When I was a young writer, being published weekly by several New York magazines and newspapers, my mother kept asking me, “Wouldn’t you rather be a secretary and have two weeks off each year to take a cruise?” Another formidable piece, Linda.
Your mama and mine, same thing. My sister was a secretary. She went on a cruise. Boy, don't think mama didn't point out I am babysitting my niece while my sister is on a beach.
Linda, you just started your memoir or a great fiction story with this scene IMNotHO.
Oh, sweet Linda.
I'd just gone to email, figuring I'd write you and ask you a question, one on one, and see if you had any wisdom you could share. Thought you might have an answer I could sip on, like some sort of margarita.
I got so much more.
You were at the top of my email list. The top. Right where I could realize, "This could be it." I'm not trying to flatter, here. I felt I was in deep need, I could think of no one else, and there you were.
Yesterday I read such an ugly "story", written by a narc whose purpose was to spew hatred. Pinged me good. The world seemed bleak. The writing world seemed bleak, I mean.
I'm not needy now. I mean, I still don't know which way to turn, but I know it doesn't matter, as long as I go. I knew that. But now I know it again. Thanks for writing.
I keep writing one last piece where you know where I am. (Strange how I feel I cannot list specifics, cannot be caught saying something wrong. Good grief.)
Thank you for writing. I'm gonna begin paying you today, if I can figure out how. Much love...
It's such a nice thing when we need something and then there is it, right when we needed it. Even nicer when I can be the one to deliver it. Sometimes what I need most is to know that my writing matters. That's where I was this morning. Wondering why I keep on. Thank you for being what I needed to hear, too. xo
I know. You're welcome. I know.