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Payback time for writers
How and when not to write for nothing

Beginner writers have as much chance of having work published as an established writer. It’s a matter of the right words at the right time for the right editor in the right frame of mind for your submission.

Easy, peasy. In fact, it’s so easy anyone can do it, almost.

First, you need to find an editor to suit your work. Clever writers study the market as a hunter studies a quarry. They watch to see where something stirs in the publishing undergrowth. Then they go there seeking happy pickings.

Professional and successful and published writers don’t waste time on work-for-nothing-jobs. A writer has to live and to live you need to be paid for your work so you can buy food, to live and then to work.

There are times when you will write for nothing; but do try to ensure it’s pro bono work, for the good of all.

Once you make some sort of a name for yourself people will ask you to contribute something or other to local publications where there is no budget available to pay the writer. Do so; it’s a writer’s way of paying back for the good fortune of being a writer. It should also be for a good cause.

But, where you are asked to supply stories and articles for nothing to a commercial entity that will profit from your work you must stare at your reflection in the mirror to see if you are mad, for they seem to think you are so insane that you will write for a single copy of their publication wherein lie your very own precious words.

Your writing success lies within yourself. For you must be your manager and agent, and genius. For some hours you must be the creative writer, even when you are writing non-fiction you must be creative in your approach so as to be different from your hordes of competitors.

For some other hours you must be the professional marketer and manager of your work. Here, you must concentrate. Sending motoring tips to a gardening magazine merely identifies you as not focused. Asking a celebrity magazine if they would like a profile of the local housepainter who sings like Elvis merely wastes time, and ensures you will never hang an access all areas tag around your neck as a commissioned writer.

Practice your art for all it is worth, as often as you possibly can. But stay on target. Follow the hunter and ignore spurious trails that lead to dead-ends. Set a goal and strive towards it in your writing. A target publication, an amount of work published, money in your bank account or your back pocket, something definite.

Ask for a byline when your work is published and keep cuttings to help in seeking new work.

Proceed as if your writing goal will be reached and your confidence and your fortune will grow.

It’s really very easy you see, this being a writer. Anyone can be one. Even you.

© Brendan Nolan 2009
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