Why are so many writers and authors so broke? I have wondered after attending writers’ groups. Sure some of us have made some money in this place, but most of us are bankrupt. Why? Often it is because they have low self-esteem and do not ask for a payment that matches their work or value. This is a personal problem, but there are other reasons as well. Another reason is due to simple economics; offer and demand. Nowadays, anyone can be a writer or author thanks to word processors, software and the Internet, and that means more writers, and while there are also more places that require this skill, even poor writers look good considering all the garbage. online. Okay, before I get into any kind of tirade, let’s talk.
Not long ago, an acquaintance of mine, Dr. Gary S Goodman, asked; “Should I write for free?” He then asks a deeper question: “A clear sign that you are a professional is that you are being paid for your work. If you are not being paid, does this mean that you are anything less?”
My opinion is that if what you write has value, someone will be willing to pay you for it, unless they can get it somewhere cheaper or free. In that case, the buyer of such written material is getting something inferior due to its price adverse nature, its marketing is insufficient, or what it writes is not necessary. Today, information is very cheap, sometimes free.
In my opinion, writing is usually not a very smart profession, however, all industries need writing and the written word (currently) to get that information to willing buyers and sellers. So there is plenty of room for writers, at least right now, in our pre-Artificial Intelligent era, as soon there will be no need for writers, not even fiction writers, this is how such technology is directed and therefore , the professionals. Most likely, the days of the writers are numbered.
When I look at my personal library of about 4,600 books and it continues to grow, I realize that there are many published writers and authors, all of whom sell their work and have sold books, so by definition they are professional writers and authors. Still, since those terms are loosely defined, anyone who writes an online essay on their blog, who has advertising, is actually paid to write, right? Therefore, the definition of a professional writer or author applies. Interesting, maybe we need a clarification on this matter. Your thoughts, what down.