Earning money (from writing)
Navigating subscriptions, donations and AI in the ever-evolving world of writing and publishing
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writerofwordsetc.substack.com
Since the end of last year I debated back and forth whether or not to accept payment for this substack. A deep resistance kept me from activating the payment portion, most of which is sourced back to the question of worth in terms of my writing abilities. There was also an element of unexplainable fear.
Is my writing good enough?
Why would anyone want to pay for my writing?
Isn’t it easier to just bypass the request for a paid subscription and go read something else on the internet for free?
There’s a lot going on inside my head. I know other creators (artists, musicians, photographers etc) have similar thoughts which means I am not alone in my struggle to pursue viable income from writing.
The thing is, I know deep within me I am more than ‘just good enough’. People have enjoyed my writing for almost two decades, much of it published for free on the internet.
Still, asking for a subscription-based commitment from readers who have always received quality content for free is more than just a little nerve-wracking.
And now, the landscape has changed. Everyone who types any words into the internet knows there’s another concern, one that’s evolving and seeping into every writer’s (or creator’s) mental space: Artificial Intelligence.
Generative Artificial Intelligence
Generative AI has exploded in recent months. How much of the content people read on the internet is written by AI? Can you tell the difference between AI generated content and human-written content?
Experimentation
I’ve used AI to generate content to see whether the difference between human and robot words are recognizable. I even wrote about it before and published it on my personal blog, to much fanfare (123 likes and 70 comments). Read here:
I asked AI to help me with writer's block of a particular scene in my book and this is what happened
Evolving AI apps
I don’t have access to BARD in Canada (Google version of Microsoft’s AI) nor have I used other AI generators (I hear X (Twitter) has its own as well) but I have used both ChatGPT and Copilot. Both produced inadequate content (in my view) in that the content requested did not align to my authentic unique voice on the internet. This is going to change going forward; there are already noises being made that a human can train an AI app to write like their voice.
This is scary, truth be told.
Here’s my thing: even when stuck in a time-pressured deadline, I can’t resort to AI. It just isn’t something I’m comfortable with. Which is why I am comfortable stating that all the words I write and publish are mine.
The words I type into any online platform - substack, blogs, social media, even personal emails or other forms of messages - are all typed by my own fingers.
PERSONAL GUARANTEE
Every word in this substack is conceived inside my brain and typed with my fingers.
AI may have its uses, particularly when it comes to research - it has a much faster ability to compile data and information at a much faster rate than any human is capable of. But when it comes to writing the content, I do not like the AI generated prose I have come across in my travels across the internet.
Why donations matter
I debated for months, since I began my Room with a Door adventures in Substack in November 2023, whether or not to write for pay on this platform. I finally decided there are ways to keep writing without forcing anyone to pay for my words but still earn some form of income: voluntary donations.
Subscription options
Instead of restricting or limiting portions of this publication - keep some free, make some paid - I installed a donation option.
There are 3 options to choose from but all of them allow you to continue reading for free.
You're welcome. 😊
Options
Choose None and continue to read for free. Nothing will change. You will receive my newsletters in your inbox each time I publish (typically once a week or so.)
If you choose Monthly or Annual, you have my eternal gratitude. Your donation is much appreciated! Once you make your choice you will be asked for your credit card information and billed accordingly. This is voluntary, not an obligation. Nothing will change in terms of the content I publish and you will still be able to read all of it. But as a paid subscriber, you will be offered a special gift (keep reading).
Your donation means the world to me.
It will help me to keep writing and creating quality content for your reading pleasure.
There is nothing wrong with asking for donations to support someone’s passion (I keep telling myself). Even if it feels uncomfortable. We all have bills to pay and that internet connection isn’t free. Nor are the devices I type into.
A free gift when you choose a paid option
Meanwhile, if you chose to support my Room with a Door publication on a monthly or annual basis, I have a gift for you.
As an incentive to help you decide to support my creative endeavors, I have offered to send you a handmade bracelet or other small item for free. All I ask is that you pay for shipping.
Limited Time Offer.
If you would like to receive a handmade gift, please contact me via email (writerofwordsetc@gmail.com), and we will have a conversation about the type of gift you might like. I can make a bracelet or earrings for this limited time offer.
To garner some ideas of the type of jewelry I create, I invite you to visit my online gift shop ClaudetteCreativeDesigns.com.
Have a look around and let me know your style preference, and I will create something unique and one of a kind just for you.
Note: the items in my store are not part of the give-away. Your gift item will be created as a custom order.
There are multiple new upcycled gift ideas in my shop available for sale at this time.
Please note, I will be away from mid-April to the beginning of May 2024 and unable to ship anything during that time.
Thank you for supporting Small Business! It means the world to me.
Buy me a Coffee
Sometimes, readers are unable to make monthly donations to their favorite creators. However, I have come to witness the generosity of people who like to make a one-time donation instead of a monthly or yearly one. This is possible on my Buy me a Coffee page.
Supporting my creative endeavors through this page has a double effect:
I buy my coffee and baked goods at local cafés, not at mass-produced coffee chains or conglomerates. When I buy my coffee or pastry at a little independent coffee shop run by entrepreneurs who live and work in the community, your donation helps to keep them in business too.
My two favorite places to sip coffee in South West Toronto are Tatsu’s Bread bakery and The Happy Bakers. I sit in those cozy cafés during rainy days, enjoy their heavenly cappuccinos while typing into my devices, reveling in a change of scenery. Bliss!
Concluding remarks
This post was difficult to write but necessary. I spend more time writing than I do anything else in my life (with the exception of sleeping, although some days, sleep is hard to come by). Writing is a passion which flows through my blood and I can’t help myself - I must type the words into my apps and share them with my tribe.
Each like, comment and share means something. Each subscription sign-up means something. Each shout-out means something. I know, because I have been on the other end. I too am a subscriber, follower, sharer, liker and commenter. I purchase indie books, I support small businesses, I am right there in double capacity: as a creator of content and as a supporter of content creators.
Thank you for reading. I look forward to producing more content for your reading pleasure.
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Until next time,
Claudette