Why do you write? Why does anyone write? Just for the heck of it? Certainly not.
I write because it makes me happy. Actually, happy is too small a word to convey what I feel about writing. Putting pen to paper, or in this case, the strokes of the keyboard give a new dimension to my life. It helps me evolve, grow, think out loud and connect with like-minded people from all over the world. No, it’s not about social networking though that is definitely a part of the process. It’s more about the extension of my being, of observing life, of scrutinizing aspects that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. Writing, to me, is not just a hobby. It is a way of life, something that would probably leave behind my footprint in some corner of the world wide web once I’m gone.
People often ask me why do I write and I try to explain them as much. But I’m not quite sure everyone gets that. For many, non-bloggers and non-writers especially, what I do is probably a colossal waste of time, just another activity nothing more. But that’s where they are wrong.
Now, I might not be a Jane Austen or a J. K Rowling, but that doesn’t mean my love for writing is any less or that my passion is open to ridicule. And that certainly doesn’t mean that the free-lancing that I do in this field is to be taken lightly or, to put it more clearly, derided.
In my journey as a blogger and a freelance writer, I have often come across people who take the ‘free’ in ‘free-lance’ to stand for ‘unpaid-writing’. That’s where the problem lies, that’s where the disrespect for the craft lies. And it irks, even more, when a person who has never even spoken to you in the span that you’ve known each other suddenly approaches you to write for them pretending to be an acquaintance, rather a close friend. That’s blatantly impolite.
When I take writing assignments, I put in my time and effort which need to be understood by the client. Yes, I do the hard work to promote, advertise and review works and businesses which are not mine. The footfalls on those posts are publicity for someone else’s dream. So, why the assumption that I do that for free? For certain genuine social causes I understand but not when profit for the client is involved.
It’s simple. If you want exposure for your business on my website, you need to pay. The free writing that I do is for myself and for the charities or causes I like to be involved with. In fact, why only me any blogger or free-lance writer would attest to that.
I think as a community our importance as social influencers is huge but we lag far behind when it comes to the point of being given our due. That’s where we need to stand up and say no. Why? Because the person asking us to write for free wouldn’t have done so in the first place if our website wasn’t worth it. Think about it.
So, today I leave you with this thought ‘I write because I want to, not because I have to. And certainly not because someone thinks I have to.’
I write because it makes me happy. Actually, happy is too small a word to convey what I feel about writing. Putting pen to paper, or in this case, the strokes of the keyboard give a new dimension to my life. It helps me evolve, grow, think out loud and connect with like-minded people from all over the world. No, it’s not about social networking though that is definitely a part of the process. It’s more about the extension of my being, of observing life, of scrutinizing aspects that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. Writing, to me, is not just a hobby. It is a way of life, something that would probably leave behind my footprint in some corner of the world wide web once I’m gone.
People often ask me why do I write and I try to explain them as much. But I’m not quite sure everyone gets that. For many, non-bloggers and non-writers especially, what I do is probably a colossal waste of time, just another activity nothing more. But that’s where they are wrong.
Now, I might not be a Jane Austen or a J. K Rowling, but that doesn’t mean my love for writing is any less or that my passion is open to ridicule. And that certainly doesn’t mean that the free-lancing that I do in this field is to be taken lightly or, to put it more clearly, derided.
In my journey as a blogger and a freelance writer, I have often come across people who take the ‘free’ in ‘free-lance’ to stand for ‘unpaid-writing’. That’s where the problem lies, that’s where the disrespect for the craft lies. And it irks, even more, when a person who has never even spoken to you in the span that you’ve known each other suddenly approaches you to write for them pretending to be an acquaintance, rather a close friend. That’s blatantly impolite.
When I take writing assignments, I put in my time and effort which need to be understood by the client. Yes, I do the hard work to promote, advertise and review works and businesses which are not mine. The footfalls on those posts are publicity for someone else’s dream. So, why the assumption that I do that for free? For certain genuine social causes I understand but not when profit for the client is involved.
It’s simple. If you want exposure for your business on my website, you need to pay. The free writing that I do is for myself and for the charities or causes I like to be involved with. In fact, why only me any blogger or free-lance writer would attest to that.
I think as a community our importance as social influencers is huge but we lag far behind when it comes to the point of being given our due. That’s where we need to stand up and say no. Why? Because the person asking us to write for free wouldn’t have done so in the first place if our website wasn’t worth it. Think about it.
So, today I leave you with this thought ‘I write because I want to, not because I have to. And certainly not because someone thinks I have to.’
That is the sad reality when people don't want to pay and get things free of cost disrespecting the effort behind. I understand this pain.
Spot on! It's time people stop taking bloggers for granted. People literally think free-lancing = free work. Just last week, somebody was telling me how writing for them would increase traffic to my blog and how it would enhance my portfolio!!
Totally agree with u .. So many people think bloggin?writting is easy n not a full time job.
I get so frustrated with emails where they ask u to promote their brands for free …
Wear your Scarf/Dupatta/stole as a Dress
I know Tina..Wonder when they will learn respect!
Oh the audacity Shilpa…They want things to be done for free and the moment you send across your media kit either they become start ups or your relatives and hence apparently you are to write for free!
I know! I have stopped responding to those people! Best way is to send them the media kit and see their stupid reactions! 😀
Absolutely. I can't even tell you how many requests I get to write for free; and from for-profit companies!
Bang on…I know the feeling! Don't know when and how people will understand..or rather, I think, they don't want to understand at all…
Totally agree with you Nabanita… people who want to get away with free posts should be kicked where it hurts the most, because all they are doing is being disrespectful to our fraternity…
Cheers 🙂
oh yeah…I keep getting these requests too…and I turn them down politely, though the urge is to land a hard kick on their backsides!
You already know my views on this. Quite exasperating.
Totally agree!
I can imagine…I wonder when they will understand we are not to be taken as people who write because they have nothing better to do!
Yes, me either..I wish to sometimes give them an earful..maybe someday 🙂
Agree wholeheartedly Archana 🙂
hehe same urge here 😀
Oh yes Rachna… !
🙂
The anguished cry is from photo bloggers too!! 🙁
So true, Nabanita. People just assume that we work for free and are so shocked when we ask for pay. Why should we write for free? You post is very valid and true.
-Nikita @Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff
ohh I know! It's the entire fraternity!
Thanks Nikita…We should never write for free when it involves profit for the person asking us to do so… 🙂
Wonderful afterthought! Yes, it doe hurts when others don't understand why we write!
Visiting you from Shanaya Tales.
Glad to have read this post of yours. 🙂
Everyone only loves freebies:)
Totally agree with you! We write cos we want to write and not cos you want us to write. Honest one Nabanita. I like how you always get the most simple facts out there in the simplest of words. Good one!
Indeed it does!
Thanks so much Salvwi!
Well, that's true!
Thanks so much Parul..Means a lot!
This is an extremely annoying, but very prevalent practice. A lot of bloggers accept such offers too. I believe that the only reason for this is that they underestimate the value that they bring to the table.