The ethics of writing or how we make our way in the world

I was on a LinkedIn group forum earlier today in which someone posted this question:

“Am I totally insane or has ethical behavior been thrown out the window?”

The author of this question was referring to ads and service providers seeking freelance writers to write college essays for pay. This sort of loosely defined “ghost writing” is becoming an increasing trend even on sites like Elance and iFreelance.com. These sites, popular job boards and Craigslist are inundated with these essay writing offers- there are even entire essay writing services who are now recruiting freelancers for their stables. Though the answers from other group members were on-point, agreeing that doing this sort of work is unethical (provided that we can agree on such a subjective thing), it prompted me to think about this issue more deeply and why it seems to be on the rise.

If we dig a little deeper, I think the problem lies with our current educational system and its “memorization and regurgitation” approach to teaching. The University system is no longer about inspiring life-long learners or teaching people how to think for themselves but rather about about  dollars in pockets and butts in seats. Add to this, students who have been told, almost mantra-like, “College is a must- a BA is the minimum. Just go to college, you don’t have to know what you’re majoring in,” and you have schools filled with kids just trying to get by to get out and teachers trying to preserve tenure.

This behavior has created a population where the goal is the piece a paper (diploma) to enter the workforce with instead of education and exposure to new experiences and perspectives. A bachelors degree is the new high school diploma and the institutions are treating it as such.  Higher education shouldn’t mirror the public school system where we just push them through the mill. Priorities are in the wrong place and it starts in our public schools. There are elementary and middle schools now, that do not flunk anyone – everyone is promoted. It’s what “No Child Left Behind” left us with- a legacy of idiocy courtesy of the example George W. Bush gave us all — that anyone with the right connections can achieve untold heights, regardless of their knowledge.

It’s all about numbers and quotas and budgets. This is what we are teaching our youth. Add to this all of the marketing, blogging and “so-called reporting” that churn out ignorant, unsubstantiated and insipid content and what our society ends up teaching our young people is that knowledge and truth do not matter:  only money, numbers, connections and getting  through the required hoops to get what you want with the least amount of energy expended.

But then again,  how can we expect anymore of our kids? What messages do we send them in terms of ethics when politicians, religious leaders and reporters who have done things like lied about their educational backgrounds, their whereabouts, their sexuality, their affairs, affiliations and their sources (some even making up quotes) all still have careers and are “forgiven” by just saying, “Oops, my bad.”  We are not only reinforcing this type of behavior, we’re cultivating it. Ours is now a culture of anything goes as long as you get what you want.

As far as those who take on these jobs, it is without a doubt, unethical but I see writers everyday that are so desperate to hang onto making their living from writing that they are willing to push their ethical line further and further to survive and get paid. (Especially when it can be months before checks are received from more traditional outlets and with more print outlets folding every day.)

It seems as though we are seeing the disintegration of a once well-respected career. That of the writer. Instead of paying a decent fee for quality work, content mills and web sites offer a pittance for sub-par work (which BTW- is the only way you can come out ahead working for the mills. If you actually spent the time necessary to do the proper research and formulate a thoughtful well-rounded piece, it wouldn’t be worth your time to write it.) While it’s been a long-held tradition to intern or write for free to amass clips to establish your career in writing,  with the advent of blogging everybody (and their brother) thinks they are a writer (and they’re willing to do it for free just to feel like one.)

Andy Warhol was right about those 15 minutes and now every gets and thinks they deserve their 15 minutes of fame in the digital age’s pseudo-reality world. As a published writer who has spent a great deal of her life honing a craft, I can understand why, after banging your head against the wall in this market, many may decide that the only choices they are left with are to give up the dream and go get a job as a barista or a courtesy clerk at Target (because to paraphrase Stephen King, let’s face it, as writers what else are we qualified for?) or supplement your writing income by diversifying. How you choose to diversify is  the real question. Many will choose the easy money with these well-paying essay gigs. For these folks the answer is a no-brainer.

Their justification may even be, “The only person they (the person buying the essay) are hurting is themselves.” The problem with that argument is this:

When we’re already seeing a rapid decline in intelligent debate and content in the world due to the sheer volumes of misinformation around every corner on  our information super-highways, those who do take these jobs are not only enabling someone in their personal journey to idiocracy, they are also contributing to the overall decline of western civilization.

Really, whether you agree with all of my connections in this piece or not, my main point is this– each and every choice you make as a writer impacts not only you, the outlets you write for and your business but those of your peers and your world as a whole.

We all know things are tough out there but keep your wits about you folks. If we stand strong and stick to our principles we can effect a change. It only takes turning down these so-called jobs to change the industry back to a “fair pay for credible work” market. As long as we are willing to accept little to nothing for our work (or sub-standard jobs in general) that’s what market will dictate.

Maybe if we all, no matter what our vocation,  just remembered to care about what it is we do and what we put into the world, we could stop these kinds of issues before they started or at the very least reverse the trends.

That  is why it is so imperative for us all to remain present in making decisions about who we work for and what work we do and not just blindly go where there’s money. I  spent a bit of time trying to understand why both the person hiring someone to write their essay and the person accepting the job might do so (less about judgment and more about understanding) but I still believe that the most important part of accepting or turning down any assignment is to carefully consider any job and it’s impact not only on your personal life philosophies (i.e. whether you can feel OK writing for the KKK’s newsletter) but the effect your decisions can have on our industry and the world at large. If we stretch the line so thin that doing this type of work is accepted practice within our industry, there really will be nothing left of the fabric of writing ethics and journalistic integrity and we will have lost what little respect folks still have for the work we do.

Want some ethical ideas for new roads to revenue for writers?

New Roads to Revenue for Writers

New Bucolic Roads to Writing Revenue

Weathering tough economic times is hard for everyone these days but especially hard on freelancers and those folks that consider themselves artists (whatever the genre.) As our steady markets have dwindled (closing up shop or cutting down on freelancers) the Portland market has also become flooded with a bevy of qualified folks all vying for the same job.  I have friends that once held secure posts at the Oregonian that had to move out-of-state for employment, former editors now dishing local for a mere $0.10 a word or slinging books at Powell’s Books (I’ve done it- it was quite wonderful, actually) and award-winning photojournalists capturing your wedding day.

With Oregon being one of the hardest hit in the nation, in terms of unemployment and the influx of carpetbaggers snatching up our jobs, the creative class here in Portland needs to be even more creative in order to earn a living without turning to whipping up lattes for our huddled masses. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that- I love a good barista!)

Some consider commercial work of any kind selling out while others have turned exclusively to copywriting and are making more now than they ever were as employees of corporations. I find myself in a place in between, unwilling to clock-in at an office but unable to play the part of the starving artist with a 17 month old to feed and shelter. I’ve heard advice from many, ranging from, “Just take any job you can get right now and you can go back to writing later,” to questions like “Do you really consider writing web content ‘writing’?

The answer to that question is- Yes, I do! And the answer to folks who think that they are artists of a caliber higher than me because they refuse to take the kind of assignments I will and consider my work selling out is this– nobody but you know if you are selling out. Me, I’m diversifying.

Any financial planner worth their salt will tell you to diversify. It’s the safest bet to hedge. Now only you can decide the scope and direction of how you will create your new revenue streams but there are quite a few worlds whose circles overlap with the writing world.

Articles

These are your bread and butter and what you came to do but what if the outlets you once wrote for have shut their doors and turned off their presses? Now’s as good a time as any to launch that national career you’ve been talking about for so long. Dust off your pitching skills, rummage through your idea shed and send some of these gems off to see the light of an editor’s glowing screen. The more you pitch the more likely you are to land a gig. Talk to other freelancers or pick up a book like the one I have dog-eared and tabbed by Jenna Glatzer called, “Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer.” The more you know what they want the greater your chances for landing that gig. Still too scared to make the big leap. Start smaller– write for national trade publications or local outlets in other markets.  There’s no reason why a Portland writer has to only write about Portland. Maybe you have family in California and you just visited and found a gem of a boutique off the beaten path. Find out what the local equivalent of Portland Monthly is and send them a pitch.

Marketing

Copywriters can be freelance but many times they are hired in-house. If you can stand punching a time clock and reporting to a building this could be a safe haven to wait out the storm and restore some of your nest egg. Bonus: health benefits and paid time off.  Still want to freelance AND be a copywriter- it can be done. Just look at Jeff Selin, owner of the Writer’s Dojo (a resource and haven for Portland area writers) who is assembling a stable of copywriters.  Jeff started as a copywriter before opening the Dojo’s doors a few years ago.  Now a space for writers to rent time, meet with groups, come to events and share resources the Dojo is offering copywriting services to the businesses large and small.

Public Relations

After years of slogging your way into the hearts and iphones of local editors and publications you now have relationships with press outlets that other new PR people don’t. Add to that your ability to spot a good angle, write clean copy and know what editors want and this one becomes a no-brainer.  If you hang out your shingle on this one though be prepared to network and do a job or two for free to prove your chops and earn you clients. Try offering to promote your favorite local charity’s event  for a mention in the program. It’s a win/win.

Web Content

There is a misconception in the blogosphere that anyone can write a blog. To the contrary, anyone can type a blog and post a few pics of their Egg McMuffin or their irascible cat attacking the furniture– but real content, the stuff people reference and pass on, takes skill. The kind of skills you have. You should absolutely have a blog of your own, that goes without saying (though I just said it!) but you could also look for the many opportunities to create content for business websites and blogs. Some just want conversational style entries others want journalism — real articles written by professionals. Most web content positions are contract and as such they are subject to the usual terms of freelancing.

SEM/SEO

If you were an online magazine editor this may be your milieu but if not, no worries you can grab a certificate from PSU (one of only a handful of learning institutions in the country that offer such a program) and be up and running. You can use the skills you glean here to help other websites increase their traffic.  Pair it with some killer content penned by yours truly and you have a hit solution for some struggling business to increase their “Google juice!” SEMpdx even offers a scholarship twice a year so, like me, you could take the course for free!

Copyediting/Proofreading

It’s not glamorous but it pays the bills and for many of you former editors it’s an easy gig to land. These positions range from staff to contract and you can work locally or remotely for places around the globe. As long as we’re all writing, we’ll always need editing.  Not proficient in editing or proofreading? Grab your favorite Stylebook (AP, Chicago etc.) and brush up on your skills. If your looking for some grammar motivation pick up “Eats, Shoots and Leaves” by Lynne Truss.

Bottom line is, you’re creative, that’s why you got into this line of work. So put that creativity to use by coming up with creative ways that serve your unique talents, experience and skill set while still keeping yourself employed in the field of writing. Whatever you do though, don’t kill the dream and don’t ever stop writing.

“These are but wild and whirling words.” -William Shakespeare

(The Bard- rumored to have been a gun for hire.)

There is something about that quote that gets my juices flowing. It makes me want to take to the keyboard or to pen and pad and write with such feverish delight that hours will pass with but a moment’s notice. But writing as a gun for hire is seldom like that.

Freelance writing requires careful preparation, timed inspiration and don’t forget quotations! (But enough of my poetry.) Freelancing really is about building a business and as an artist that can be a real downer.

We all became writers (well, those of you reading this, that are indeed, writers) because we had something we needed to express. That inner voice, the artist, that wanted to get  something off his chest. The idea that we could paint a scene with the brush and canvas of page and pen. That we could reach a greater truth by showing and not telling. That this emotional truth will deliver such gravitasse that our readers will cry and cheer along with us and that we will all be better off for having shared this with one another.

That is the dream. Ah, the wistful moments spent picturing long hours writing. Sitting in your log cabin by a lake in the early morning hours, finishing chapter after chapter. No boss micro-managing you, no gray cubicle life, no mundane water cooler conversations about who has a case of the MONDAYS. Just you and the blank page, maybe a cup of coffee and a terrific view.

Then reality hits. You are not the literary star of tomorrow (at least not yet) and you’ve got bills to pay and an active 14 month old that thinks the word naughty means “a lot more fun!” But at least you work from home (some days never getting out of your pajamas.)

Sure, technically, you’re your own boss but in order to get paid for what we do, we’re all beholden to somebody. Which means juggling deadlines, research, pitches, queries, corporate proposals and maybe even resume writing to make ends meet. It means meeting these obligations head on, even when your entire household is knocked out with the flu or the aforementioned child is breaking-in a molar! Because consistency is key when freelancing.

Your most successful freelancers are often times not the best writer available but the most consistent, good writer that an editor can drum up.

It also helps to know someone. Connections can get your foot in the door quicker than even the most well-written query. But how do you get to know those folks “in the know”? By networking and networking takes time and energy away from writing.

But in the 2010 world we’re all waking up to, folks, it’s the cup o’ joe you better get a whiff of and quick. Social media is taking the marketing world by storm and though it’s always kind of been about who you know, it is so now, more than ever before. Don’t believe me? Take a look at the employment listings in your local paper’s classifieds section. Even on a Sunday it is a paltry couple pages long and though their online classifieds are larger, any expert will tell you that most jobs aren’t even advertised with the paper (online or otherwise.)

So that means networking and for a freelancer this is your bread and butter. Again, this is kind of against the natural instincts of those of us that are inclined to choose such a solitary career path as writing, but it is a nonetheless a necessary skill out here in the wild. Social media makes it easier than ever before for those of us that are sitting endlessly at our laptops anyway, to stay connected and therefore gain a wider audience for our work.

This leads me to blogging. Something which I do and have done for the past five years with some relative regularity but probably not as regularly as necessary. Why? Because I’d rather be meeting those deadlines, wooing a new client or working on a short story or poem to feed my inner artist (that is, after all, why we started in this path in the first place isn’t it?)

But as I write this to remind you, it reminds me too. Blogging keeps you fresh, builds skills and an audience, hones your unique voice and can open doors to other writing opportunities. Just look at what a blog did for Julie Powell author of Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen. A bestselling book and a movie starring Meryl Streep.

I could be the next Julie Powell and you can you too. Or Penelope Trunk for that matter, who is working on her second book deal all because she had a blog and she knew how to market it. Check out Penelope’s tips for getting that sx figure deal you’ve been dreaming about at her blog The Brazen Careerist and maybe, just maybe, that cabin in the woods won’t be such a faraway notion.

These are the things my writing life has been occupied with more and more lately and though I know that this is the future of publishing, marketing and writing,  I do sometimes find myself wishing for the days of the private benefactor. That fabled time when the wealthy kept artists, playwrights, composers etc. in their stables – commissioned solely for the benefit of creating for them. I know, I know, that’s still being beholden to a master, you say.

To some commissioned work means compromising your artistic integrity, to others it means paying your bills doing what you love. There are trade offs either way – this is how I see it. You can keep your vision crystalline clear as your own start to finish but then have to sacrifice by giving up a huge chunk of your life to a “Joe Job” to pay your rent or you can take work (whose idea may not have been your impetus but it is yours nonetheless) and still make the rent. It is a choice each artist has to make for themselves.

When I was younger, I railed against selling out (some days you may still find me doing this.) But as I’ve gotten older the one thing that has become clear to me is that there are no absolutes in life. As comforting as a world of black and white may seem to the naive or uninitiated, it is nevertheless only one small piece of this puzzle we call life.  In the shades of gray live our trade offs. What we’re willing to give up to get something of more value to our lives and perspectives. It is these trade-offs, these compromises that tell us more about ourselves and each other than most anything else.

Just make sure that when you weigh the pros and cons and make your compromises, they are not things which compromise your core values, whatever those may be. You will be richer for having made that important distinction. In spirit, if not in pocket.

Happy Writing.