Words to Starve By

"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."

—John Wooden

WRONG! of the Week (WOTW)

"We don't have the budget to pay any more local columnists, but we're always looking for local people interested in submitting material (generally 500 to 600 words). We run a byline, and, when possible, a photo of the writer."

Well, thanks...but I do this for a living, this writing thing. You'd be amazed, though, at how many people think we should not charge because they don't have money to pay.

Words to Starve By

"Writing is a fairly lonely business unless you invite people in to watch you do it, which is often distracting, and then have to ask them to leave."

—Marc Lawrence

Words to Starve By

"We do not write because we want to; we write because we have to."

—Somerset Maugham

WRONG! of the Week (WOTW)

"Pay will range from $20 to $50 per article. Your writing will be exposed to 2.5 million visitors."

If true, that means your ads will probably pull a decent income. Share it. Under a dime a word is a rip. As for "being exposed," isn't that illegal in most states? Is some reader going to say, "Wow, a recycled story! This writer is for me!"

WRONG! of the Week (WOTW)

"Medical Spa is in need of a female writer age 45+ to do a story tonight about a Charity Event. This person would get free botox, restylane and photofacial along with a makeover."

Gosh, free injections of weird substances. Can we get cash?

Words to Starve By

"We don't just borrow words. On occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary."

—James Davis Nicoll