[Image credit: fotographic1980]

Writing is the only profession where no one considers
you ridiculous if you earn no money.  ~ Jules Renard

When people ask me what I “do,” I typically respond that I’m a writer which, of course, leads to more questions, like what I write and do I get paid (yes, people ask that).  In spin class one day, I dished out my standard replies and also mentioned I had picked up payment the previous day for one of my projects.  Oh, so then you’re a “real” writer, the speaker said.  So I wasn’t a real writer before she knew I got paid for my work?  Truth be told, payment doesn’t necessarily mean money.  Sometimes seeing my name in a byline is the closest I get to being paid.  In fact, many writers I know — myself included — not only submit pieces of work to publications that don’t pay, but they also support themselves with day jobs to afford the opportunity to write in the first place.  But that doesn’t negate their true profession, nor mine.  Ridiculous or not.

Are you — or would you be — satisfied doing what you love most even if you don’t get paid for it?