'Real Life' writing...

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by Stax_Daniel, May 18, 2007.

  1. #1
    How many of you guys that do lots of writing online for blogs, articles, sites, etc...do writing on paper, poems, books, etc...

    for those of you who do...do you make money doing it?...if so...how?

    I love to write...more poetry and stories (working on a book...for the past 4 years :D...lol)...though lately i don't have time to do it as much as I'd like because i'm always online...so i'm trying to figure out if it's really even worth it to pursue as more than just a hobby...
     
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    Stax_Daniel, May 18, 2007 IP
  2. marketjunction

    marketjunction Well-Known Member

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    #2
    If I had a $1 for every "writer" that was going to write a novel, I'd be able to hire different Playboy models each day to give me sponge-baths and I'd spend my free time throwing cash in the street at cars passing by.

    If you think you're going to "make it" as a novelist or poem writer, you may want to do a little more research into it. The streets are littered with these types of hopeful writers, like the homeless people in downtown waiting on a quarter to accidentally fall from someone's pocket to the ground.

    At publishing companies they don't use toilet paper, they use submitted manuscripts to wipe their asses. There are so many of them, they never run out.

    Just like anything else, there is a lot of money to be made. Whether you can and will is up to you.
     
  3. LuckyDay

    LuckyDay Peon

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    #3
    I started out writing for print publications, and then transitioned to online work.

    I don't want to discourage you because if you have the talent and patience you can definitely get some good paying assignments.

    However, the thing I really disliked about print publishing is that it can take forever to even get your stuff looked at, never mind approved, published and paid for!

    It wasn't unusual to receive a check for something I'd submitted a year earlier. That's great for extra money, but not a full time income. People definitely do earn full time incomes and beyond writing for print markets, but it takes a lot of patience and a lot of persistence until you get rolling.

    If you really feel drawn to go into print work, go for it! Get a subscription to Writer's Market and start researching the submission guidelines for various publications.

    Just don't count on making a ton of money fast unless you're VERY good and VERY lucky.
     
    LuckyDay, May 19, 2007 Set Best Answer IP
  4. mr_kyle

    mr_kyle Peon

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    #4
    Hi Daniel

    You can make a little money from writing blogs & articles, but you won't make a killing. However if you enjoy it then that might be ok with you.

    If you want to write a book I'd go the self-publishing route and learn marketing, your book's success will have more to do with your marketing skills than the quality of your writing.

    Check out Dan Poynter's "The Self Publishing Manual" if you decide you want to publish yourself, it covers everything you could possibly need to know about the subject.

    Regards
    Kyle
     
    mr_kyle, May 19, 2007 Set Best Answer IP
  5. Stax_Daniel

    Stax_Daniel Guest

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    #5
    Thanks for the pointers guys :D,,,mostly just confirmed my own thoughts...if i ever do become serious about it (i'm not really that serious about it right now...more of a hobby...wouldn't upset me either way it went) I'll probably think about the self publishing route if I ever finish the book i'm currently (passively) working on :D
     
  6. pstone

    pstone Peon

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    #6
    I just do it for fun. There's no money involved in this.
     
    pstone, May 21, 2007 Set Best Answer IP
  7. Stax_Daniel

    Stax_Daniel Guest

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    #7
    I do it for fun as well, and don't really mind if I don't get any money...

    but to say there's no money involved is wrong ;)...as Tom Clancy, J.K. Rowling, Clive Cussler...i'm sure they would be quite happy to disagree with there being no money in it ;)
     
  8. marketjunction

    marketjunction Well-Known Member

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    #8
    Yeah, there's no money in writing. Move along. ;)
     
  9. Stax_Daniel

    Stax_Daniel Guest

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    #9
    same goes to you as went to the guy above you :p...lol:eek:
     
  10. heinlein99

    heinlein99 Peon

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    #10
    "None but a blockhead ever wrote except for money."
    - Samuel Johnson
     
    heinlein99, May 22, 2007 Set Best Answer IP
  11. marketjunction

    marketjunction Well-Known Member

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    #11
    I was joking of course. I've made significant amounts of money from writing.

    The poorer writers tend to be those who are focusing on poetry, novels, etc. I'm not sure about song writers though (it's like poetry).

    Typically, the better paid writers (whatever type) are those who can market themselves very well. And I've found most writers to be poor marketers, even though many think to the contrary.
     
  12. Stax_Daniel

    Stax_Daniel Guest

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    #12
    what type of writing do you do?
     
  13. marketjunction

    marketjunction Well-Known Member

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    #13
    The kind that pays. :)

    I started out as a copywriter and went to college for journalism. I spend my writing time (for others) doing copywriting and writing articles (sometimes they are one in the same, other times not so much).

    I'm not going to give out my financial info, but there's a lot of money out there. It tends to be a case of whether or not you want it.

    Needless to say, I'm not in the write 100 articles for $20 a day crowd. But, that's for what I'd call hobbyists and gen pop (to borrow a prison term).

    Like most writers, I've dabbled with writing poetry, short stories and songs. But, I leave that stuff for my "extremely free" time, because it doesn't pay. Everyone wants to be the next Stephen King. Well, each year thousands and thousands of writers spend their "earning time" writing manuscripts that no one, but them, cares about.

    I guess it's that "lotto" feeling that keeps them going. This "could" be the next Harry Potter. :)
     
  14. geekcognito

    geekcognito Guest

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    #14
    I've written for print publications for over 10 years including military spec manuals, tech manuals, and even some fiction. I have found that since I have moved my writing online and marketed it intelligently that I can make a much more steady (and substantial!) income from it. While writing for print publications can definitely be profitable, you are fighting against every other schmuck that can string words together whereas online, as long as you can register a domain and host it somewhere, you have limitless options.
     
  15. enigmatic9

    enigmatic9 Peon

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    #15
    Writing online can help you make substantial income.
    It took me an year to make my employers to take me seriously and have a look at the new concept for a comics series i had in mind!

    Now I await their approval to for my final draft!

    Earn a lot first and then nurture your dream to become the next J K Rowling!
     
    enigmatic9, Jun 22, 2007 Set Best Answer IP
  16. ashokkumar123

    ashokkumar123 Peon

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    #16
    If you have need of blog, article, sites writer then you should contact to consultants hire employee.
     
  17. ElleSorbet

    ElleSorbet Member

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    #17
    I've been working on some creative nonfiction & fetish erotica but they're for my own ventures. I wish I was writing for magazines or such. I think it would be awesome to have the adult copy I'm writing online to be for actual adult magazines or such
     
    ElleSorbet, Sep 11, 2012 Set Best Answer IP