Talk to enough writers and the subject of measuring success by a per-word versus an hourly rate is bound to arise. Some magazine writers reach a point where they won’t accept work below a certain per-word rate or beyond the most popular household titles. Others quietly make a great living writing for myriad out-of-the-spotlight pubs, including trade magazines and special interest publications. Having a low "pain-in-the-backside" factor comes up often, too. Is it worth it to write for $2/word if your hourly rate dwindles with each edited-by-committee re-write mandate or request for more research and interviews? Sometimes lesser-known publications paying $.50/word are dreamboat pubs with non-grabby contracts, few editorial hassles and editors ecstatic to have competent writing submitted on time. That hourly rate sure changes when you factor in the various requirements for any project, and knowing this is a huge key to becoming and staying a successful writer.
For me, the definition of success has shifted around quite a bit. At first, simply being published was enough. When my mother-in-law presented me with what is probably the most touching gift I’ve ever received–a scrapbook filled with every local sports clip I’d written for our tiny weekly paper–I was floored. I’m still proud of those clips; I learned a ton from writing about a topic about which I had little interest, including dodging tired, old cliches! The pay didn’t begin to cover the Starbuck’s I consumed writing those pieces, but I didn’t care. I was writing for money and being published, and that was success aplenty for me. My first national clips (including a personal essay) for a pregnancy magazine similarly thrilled me.
The definition of success kept evolving: breaking into X or Y publication, gaining an acceptance a few minutes after receiving a rejection, being able to easily say "I’m a freelance writer" when asked what I do for a living without choking on my fear that someone would point and shout "FRAUD!" Receiving generous ‘kudos’ letters from sources and editors with whom I’d worked.
Success for me currently means gaining acceptance into peer organizations like ASJA or SATW, landing that first book deal, breaking into magazines I’ve long dreamed of writing for, and successfully shifting the direction of my writing business to include subjects I’m passionate about covering. But it also means working smarter, not harder–understanding that there is value in taking gigs that aren’t sexy or prestigious but will cover my student loan payments or allow our family to take a dreamy vacation. Knowing my value as a writer while still always striving to improve and evolve. Being able to say "I’m a freelance writer" to myself, knowing how blessed and lucky I am to do what I love for a living.
What’s your definition of success as a writer? Has it changed along the way? Where do you see it shifting or evolving with time? Let us know your thoughts about success in the comments to this post.
Have a successful month!
–Toni
