Getting Paid
“I feel very rich when I have time to write and very poor when I get a regular paycheck and no time to work at my real work.” Natalie Goldberg
In “Muses Like Moonlight,” my first collection of poetry and essays on writing, I wrote… “Who can I bill for the 8 hours it took me to research and write this commentary?” I asked my husband, Joe, as I slapped a stack of paper on the kitchen table. I had just emerged from the computer room, which was beginning to feel like a dungeon. I complained to my brothers and sisters – via our email group link – that I had carpal tunnel of the body. After 4 more hours, I told them I had computer chair “bedsores.”
“Not only am I not going to get paid, but nobody cleaned the kitchen while I was working!” I added. Joe looked up calmly from the book he was reading. He wasn’t thrown off guard by my loud display because he knew that, for all my complaining, I was exhilarated by my accomplishment and glad that I was finally done.
The essay happily concludes like this:
My commentary (Voting Machine Voodoo) was published at COMMONDREAMS.ORG on the evening of the day I submitted it. The next morning I went to my computer to check my email and found the following: “This is by far the best article I have read to date related to the voting machine fiasco. Thank you for using your obviously superior research skills and brilliant writing techniques to bring us into the light of truth. Congratulations!!!”
As the day went on, more responses poured in… “Excellent! Thank you for including references… and… “I have a political radio talk show…Would you be willing to do a 15 minute interview on air?”
I printed out a few of the emails that the commentary had generated to show to my husband. When I did, he not only looked up from whatever he was doing, but he physically got up to see what the excitement was about. After reading, he looked at me, smiling, and announced, “YOU JUST GOT PAID!”
The commentary was picked up by a dozen other internet sites. It was published in the Roanoke Times newspaper (December 12, 03) and the New River Free Press. I did the radio interview and got to plug my website. Hey, maybe I got overpaid.
March 31st, 2005 8:07 am
that’s great! I feel very wealthy when I write. It’s always better to get the cash-ola though even though you got free press.
March 31st, 2005 8:15 am
Hi, Michele sent me over! Wonderful place. Yeah, isn’t it great to be paid like that!
March 31st, 2005 8:26 am
What a great story!
Hello, Michele sent me. 🙂
March 31st, 2005 8:27 am
I firmly believe what goes around comes around. You’ve just proven it again!!! Great work. Great article too, never thought about virtual corruption, duh, 1/2 my brain left with my kids. This blogging bit has actually got it fired up again! Have a great day!
March 31st, 2005 9:32 am
Hello Michele sent me.
March 31st, 2005 9:36 am
Nah, you didn’t get paid too much. Hearing people tell you that you made an impact on them is better than any money they could throw at you (although it couldn’t hurt for them to try, could it?).
So often, we writers put our hearts and souls into what we create and never know how it affects others. You got a wonderful gift.
And, Hi – Michele sent me!
March 31st, 2005 10:56 am
Michelle sent me. You are an excellent writer. (But you knew that.) I especially enjoyed your comments on Bush. All of that is true, and I often wonder, How does he get away with it? gack.
March 31st, 2005 10:59 am
Excellent story! On my better days I completely forget how much time I put into my writing or photography, and just enjoy the exhilaration when that last edit is complete and that last photo is cropped. Then there are the days when it’s all a battle and I ask myself the ‘why’ questions…
Getting feedback is a great way to get ‘paid’, especially when it’s positive and specific.
…Almost forgot – Hi, Michele sent me.
March 31st, 2005 11:09 am
Michele sent me…and a compliment is worth waaaaay more than money! (um, except when the mortgage is due, right?)
March 31st, 2005 11:27 am
Michele sent me.. Wonderful story. Write because you love to not because you want to get financially rich. There are so many things that stay with us so much longer than money does.
March 31st, 2005 11:51 am
Hi. Great story. Michele sent me.
March 31st, 2005 12:51 pm
hello, Michele sent me!!