Comments on: What’s Wrong With Writing About Writing Because I Like Writing About Writing?

By: Miko Holt

Miko Holt — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:20:41 +0000

I remember my uncle who is a world-renowned Chef say to me: “Well, Kid i’m doing what I love to do and I GET PAID FROM IT”. Well all want to make money! Bills don’t stop coming in. And why NOT make money from what you love the most! It’s the American Dream Baby! Great post

By: asithi

asithi — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:01:56 +0000

I have been called some nasty names as well and wanting cheap people out of their money. Hah – as if I am going to get rich from the $5 a month a make from the advertising on my blog. It’s hurtful and annoying, but I try not to take it personal. There will always be people who are afraid of other people’s passions.

By: T

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:37:26 +0000

I think other writers are jealous–and possibly frightened. Why frightened? Because if you look at the numbers, it’s actually a very small percentage of freelancers who make a living wage. And as we all know, the writing landscape is changing; the old models don’t always apply today. People are probably scared of being left behind in the (non-paying) dust, and what easier way to vent worries than to attack someone who has obviously figured out how to succeed? I believe the ultimate goal is to do what you love and get paid for it, and I appreciate the tips and help offered here.

By: Successful Freelance Writer » Writing for Dollars

Successful Freelance Writer » Writing for Dollars — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:12:16 +0000

[...] Ng posted an article about how an email she received accused her of just wanting to make a buck. The post got me thinking about that concept. When does it become wrong to make a dollar off [...]

By: Heiddi

Heiddi — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:17:13 +0000

Well Deb, either people are jealous, have too much time on their hands or some other third thing is going on. As you did with this site, I started The Freshman Writer for the love of writing and wanting to share that info with other writers. Nothing wrong with that at all and if you do make money from it, imagine all of the hours you put in already that you WEREN’T paid for. There will always be people wanting to knock you down, Deb, but remember there are a lot more people ready to give you a hand up.

By: JulieF

JulieF — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:54:09 +0000

Jodee- jealousy and ‘keyboardkourage’. Discussed this with Deb before, she’s not as crude as I am, though. Pretty sure the same people doing the vicious writing/emails/IMs would benefit from getting a life.

Disagreeing is one thing. Being off-color is, too. Straight out nastiness just proves they’re enjoying the drama- sort of like their personal reality series.

By: Jodee

Jodee — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:23:24 +0000

Short answer to your question: There is absolutely nothing wrong with writing about writing or anything else you want to on your own blog.

I would be very interested to find out why someone would take time out of their day to send you hate e-mail. Do they feel so icky about themselves that they need to go after someone else to make themselves feel better? I’d really like to know.

By: lornadoone

lornadoone — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:40:33 +0000

I’m curious as to why none of the detractors are commenting on this post. It seems like the perfect opportunity to air their grievances, doesn’t it? If they have so much to say about what you’re doing, why not speak up when called out on it?

By: Kat

Kat — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:27:48 +0000

Okay…before someone slams me. I see the typos…and frankly don’t care tonight. I’m in cheering mode for Deb!

By: Kat

Kat — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:26:22 +0000

Deb,

I cheer every time I read you standing up for yourself, what you do and believe in as a professional writer, and the integrity you display personally (whether you’re highlight your strengths or presenting your weaknesses so others might benefit.

Keep on keeping on…and more power to you!

Kat

By: Kathryn Lang

Kathryn Lang — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:41:47 +0000

It depends on HOW you make your money that other writers view as good or bad. Selling books to readers is fine. Selling books and information to other writers means you are just out for a buck.

That’s my first guess. Kindof like, “You are getting your fortune by stepping on the backs of all of the little guys.” Not that I feel that way personally. But I guess I can see how some others might feel that way.

I say, as long as I get what I want and you get what you want then the transaction is fair and successful.

By: Jennifer L

Jennifer L — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:30:15 +0000

Please forgive me for giggling a little bit at the email you received, Deb. Obviously the emailer meant to be malicious, but it really just comes across as being silly.

Raise your hand, anyone, if you are not at all concerned about making any money from any of your writing? Hmmmm, let’s see…anyone? Anyone?

By: JulieF

JulieF — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:51:26 +0000

Freelancers tearing down others.

By: Dave Doolin

Dave Doolin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:45:01 +0000

Bwahahaha!

That’s precious. “See through your agenda…”

Here’s my disclaimer: I write only to make money. I write comments on blogs in the hope that people will visit my web site and spend money buying my stuff or paying me lots of money to help them out. I’m in it for the money, honey, and don’t you forget it.

BTW, Deb, you so rock!

@Julie – “burr in my butt”?

By: Marian

Marian — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:41:52 +0000

Your agenda is to make a living writing a blog about writing.
It’s a good and positive agenda. And even better than that you are succeeding.

By: LIsa

LIsa — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:41:21 +0000

how odd. I sure wouldn’t sweat comments like that if I were in your shoes! you can just shrug your shoulders all the way to the bank!

Lisa

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:13:04 +0000

Hopefully, people like what they do…too much time spent on it otherwise.

And, business is business. Business is not charity. Though utilities aren’t my favorite entities (local ones rejected me several times for jobs, 3 times on Indiana side, 3 times on Illinois side); I find it laughable when people complain about their profits. That’s why they’re in business. Same with financial institutions. Now if they are doing something illegal or unethical or lying to customers to make those profits, that’s something else.

Heck, McDonald’s isn’t in business for the love of burgers. FedEx doesn’t get high on delivering packagages. It’s great that you like what you do. I generally do, too, though there are some clients I have because I need the income. I see nothing wrong with that. What are the people complaining doing, working for free?

By: Amy Hill Schaffer

Amy Hill Schaffer — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:59:42 +0000

Since when is wanting to make money an “agenda,” anyway?

By: JulieF

JulieF — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:33:32 +0000

I was going to comment. It grew so long I just gave up and posted my own thoughts on my blog. This whole thing has been a burr in my butt for months.

By: Eileen Rivera

Eileen Rivera — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:10:59 +0000

I think some people feel jealous that they didn’t come up with an idea first or maybe that they are trying to do the same thing as you but are not finding as much success. Either way, you don’t deserve to be their punching bag. As a newbie freelance writing, I have found this site invaluable and if there was a way to make you spend even more time on giving us advise and pointers, I’d be all for it. It saddens me to think that some people don’t appreciate the valuable tools that your website and others like it offer and instead would like to see them gone.

By: Uncle Ron

Uncle Ron — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:53:17 +0000

Deb,

I have no idea why some people are so petty they have to tear down what others do. Envy? Maybe. Maybe by tearing someone else down, they feel better about themselves. It’s common, and not just about blogs. I’ve heard these petty types try to tear someone down because they bought a new car, live in a really nice house or get a great new job. I say, more power to them and more power to you.

Perhaps it would make you feel better if you compared the amount of hate mail you get with the total number of people who visit FWJ. I bet it’s a really small percentage.

By: Kathleen K. O'Connor

Kathleen K. O'Connor — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:52:45 +0000

I think it all boils down to jealousy. People are jealous of your success, and it makes them bitter to see you finally making a living off of your blog. I think you just have to focus on your projects and ignore the haters. Your supporters will continue to be here for you.

Some lame-o writers worry so much about what other writers are doing because they obviously aren’t putting enough effort into their marketing and building their own businesses. If they were more worried about themselves than other people, it would do them good. Unfortunately, some people can’t stand to see others succeed so they do their best to shut them up.

By: Genesis

Genesis — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:42:27 +0000

How dare you earn money at something you enjoy! Don’t you realize that most people don’t get to do that? So really, you shouldn’t be allowed to be making money with something that everyone else finds useful AND you enjoy, that would just be too much.

By: Deb

Deb — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:40:13 +0000

Thanks all. Again, it wasn’t meant to be a love fest.

Why do you think so many freelance writers take exception to another writers happiness or success? Insecurity? Jealousy? Self righteousness?

By: Sharon Hurley Hall

Sharon Hurley Hall — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:34:02 +0000

I also enjoy writing about writing and hope to make some income from my blog, so I don’t see anything wrong with doing both. If your blog weren’t profitable you would have time to post as often as you do, which would be a big loss.