I Will Not Write for Free

Photo by Arash Asghari on Unsplash

I get it. I’m not a writer with twenty years of experience.

I haven’t published any groundbreaking exposes about corruption in the White House. I don’t even know if my Modern Love column will make it out of the editor’s inbox.

But why does it seem like every writer is expected to freelance or ghostwrite to earn credibility? Yet, we are contractually obligated not to take credit for our work. So how do we establish a profile if we can’t announce to the world, “This is mine.”

I Am Claiming My Work

I’m done working with ghostwriting companies that require me to write 5,000 words before they will send me paid assignments. I’m done writing blogs without my name in the byline. I’m done writing for other people.

I’m only twenty-two, but I have nine years of creative writing experience.
I started taking creative classes during my freshmen year of high school, where I kept a journal during those four years that I still use to inspire my material.

I majored in political science (if you don’t think that counts, let’s talk about the political trends in your worldbuilding) and minored in creative writing at the University of South Florida.

I spent one year contributing to a professional marketing blog.
I also have…