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Words Are Worth More Than Pennies

As a now-wannabe writer, I’ve learned the hard way that words don’t come cheap.
However, it goes beyond the value of what I write; it’s an acknowledgment of the time, effort, and expertise that go into creating something meaningful.
I remember when I was first breaking into freelancing, I tended to accept offers that were not worth my time.
I accepted more gigs just to avoid being rejected, convinced that I couldn't say no because I really needed the cash to help pay for my coffee addiction!
I remember one gig in particular. The second agent offered me a price that, if I had not checked twice, would have led me to believe he was trying to send something more.
But I was hungry to prove myself, so I said yes.
I wrote, pouring my heart and soul into the words, expecting to surpass the standards.
When the job was finished, feedback was scant, and the pay hardly compensated me for the hours devoted to research, writing and editing.
That moment was a watershed. My time, my words, my voice were worth so much more than what I had settled for.