An insightful look at the various definitions of a writing career, salaried or otherwise. And nice job on the PHOENIX article. I’m excited to hear we’re finally getting a culinary bookshop this year!
Your transparency and directness in this piece are so needed in the industry! I appreciate taking time to consider why one might write outside of paid gigs or contract work, and the role of community building rather than solely networking.
Thank you Marlaina! I certainly think about it a lot and wanted to write about it publicly. I had a thought that didn't make it into this essay -- that sometimes gatekeeping (not being transparent) might come from writers being so exhausted and onto the next assignment, especially if they are paying their bills from writing. it takes time but I think it's worthwhile to be transparent, I always appreciate when other people are!
Congrats on your article. I can highly relate to all of this. I am not a published writer but I continue to write with passion hoping that someday I might be. Thank you for being so open. I really enjoy your work.
Aw thanks, Jessica--and I so enjoy your newsletter! I know it's definitely not just me dealing with these issues connected to writing and publishing, so I wanted to take the time to write about it.
such a great piece, as someone who freelances i am always thinking about the relationship between work and value and i find it totally fascinating! for example, getting great pay from an unrelational or unexciting client is a completely different experience to being paid only a little to make something that i feel totally unqualified for (but so excited about!) such as writing for a print mag or contributing some kind of art or writing. thanks for the great thoughts and honesty.
thanks so much, Josie! and I totally agree with you about work and value. freelancing has shown me that the money and the meaning (that I personally make of the job) don't always align but there is a lot to learn from different types of clients/jobs. I think of my higher paying client work as subsidizing my art work lol!
I’m just starting to enter the writing world, but I’ve been a freelance violinist since my freshman year of music school, so I am more than familiar with all of the things you wrote. “Keep going” is definitely the most important ❤️
An insightful look at the various definitions of a writing career, salaried or otherwise. And nice job on the PHOENIX article. I’m excited to hear we’re finally getting a culinary bookshop this year!
Thanks so much, Amie! I'm really excited about Comal too, I hope all their plans move swiftly because I want to go there right now lol
Congratulations, Devin, on the PHOENIX publication!
thank you Christine!!
Your transparency and directness in this piece are so needed in the industry! I appreciate taking time to consider why one might write outside of paid gigs or contract work, and the role of community building rather than solely networking.
Thank you Marlaina! I certainly think about it a lot and wanted to write about it publicly. I had a thought that didn't make it into this essay -- that sometimes gatekeeping (not being transparent) might come from writers being so exhausted and onto the next assignment, especially if they are paying their bills from writing. it takes time but I think it's worthwhile to be transparent, I always appreciate when other people are!
Congrats on your article! Appreciate the thoughtfulness and candor here
Congrats on your article. I can highly relate to all of this. I am not a published writer but I continue to write with passion hoping that someday I might be. Thank you for being so open. I really enjoy your work.
Aw thanks, Jessica--and I so enjoy your newsletter! I know it's definitely not just me dealing with these issues connected to writing and publishing, so I wanted to take the time to write about it.
such a great piece, as someone who freelances i am always thinking about the relationship between work and value and i find it totally fascinating! for example, getting great pay from an unrelational or unexciting client is a completely different experience to being paid only a little to make something that i feel totally unqualified for (but so excited about!) such as writing for a print mag or contributing some kind of art or writing. thanks for the great thoughts and honesty.
thanks so much, Josie! and I totally agree with you about work and value. freelancing has shown me that the money and the meaning (that I personally make of the job) don't always align but there is a lot to learn from different types of clients/jobs. I think of my higher paying client work as subsidizing my art work lol!
haha yes i see it in a similar way!
I’m just starting to enter the writing world, but I’ve been a freelance violinist since my freshman year of music school, so I am more than familiar with all of the things you wrote. “Keep going” is definitely the most important ❤️