Under what circumstances do you do it?
I've done it:
a) before I had any published clips
b) For publications run by friends that I really respect
c) when I thought I was going to get paid and didn't
d) "on spec" for an alt-weekly
I regret (c), of course, and I actually regret (d) also. I didn't get the gig, and the editor could've figured out he didn't want me by reading the clips I sent.
Obviously, blogs have changed this a lot -- I wouldn't be writing this if I didn't want to. Anyway. Thoughts?
3 comments:
Well...since I've never been paid to write I'm probably not qualified to answer this question. I'd think 'A' and 'B' are great reasons to do it for free. Also, if you just simply believe that what you are saying is worth other people hearing/reading, regardless of compensation.
Obviously, I don't get paid to blog, though I do it so frequently, and the medium in itself is so informal, it's pretty much a glorified livejournal.
I rarely write for free these days and the only publication I contribute to that doesn't pay me is Redefine, which is helmed by my former roommate, and she gives me free CDs (which, most of the time, I turn around and sell, so it's like I'm getting paid).
i don't think i've ever been paid for my writing.
does (b) mean "publications that i really respect" or "friends that i really respect"?
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