I’m Tired of Articles Telling Me To “Just Write for Fun”

What’s wrong with wanting to get paid for your work?

I haven’t been reading as much on here lately, and now I know why. Some articles in my feed are downright frustrating.

As a creative, it’s discouraging for people to dismiss my hard work as somehow not worthy of pay. It really hurts when this shtick comes from another creative who should know better.

And of course, the site promotes those articles!

If you are independently wealthy, have a 9 to 5, are retired, or just write for fun—great! More power to you.

But some of us actually need the money we make here. Why is that so horrible? You’d think we committed an unpardonable sin!

How dare you expect money for writing!

It’s some weird badge of honor to “just write for fun.”

Oh, look at me! I don’t need money for my writing.

Well, isn’t that special?

If that’s what you want to do, more power to you, but some of us don’t have that luxury. Some of us need every penny to live.

Not all of us have a well-paying day job, spouse, generous insurance plan, and 401K. Some of us have disabilities that would make a regular job difficult, if not impossible.

And you know what? It shouldn’t matter, anyway. If you do the work, you are worthy of compensation.

Period.

Update: I know some people don’t agree with this, and that is your right. But it is also my right to state my opinion. FYI…a difference of opinion is not a “rant,” nor is advocating for creatives to be paid for their work.