Monday, March 14, 2011

I Am A Writer For Hire

I'm back to work. Back to half-work. Almost half the hours, chop, like that. This economy began it's financial beheading of my family with the loss of my husband's hard earned and much loved business, continued along with the enormous IRS and medical debt, and has ascertained that a tendon, a ligament, some kind of silly string was still hanging by our neck and CHOP. Half-hours at work. I have looked so hard for writing work online. I have sent out carefully crafted emails that I spent hours working up. I have sent ideas, columns, poems, links, perfected the art of the self-selling soundbite, and nothing. I am a writer. This is what I do best, what runs in my familial blood, what I have done since I was five and what I always responded with to the question What do you want to be when you grow up? I write more than I breastfeed. I write more than I have sex. I write more than I eat. I probably write only less than I read. Hire me. I'll make you happy. I'll write until your shark tank is full of chum and your hands full of newspaper print. I'll write until your teeth are stained with coffee laden afternoons of reading. I'll write until your eyes are tired and your email is full of my attached. Just pay me to do it, so I can pay our goddamn water bill.

Yours,
Maggie May Ethridge
Ms. Moon said...

Wishing you all the work you DESERVE!

Rebecca said...

Parenting magazine and other magazines like that? They need you!

Anonymous said...

I am in that boat (that I'm starting to get the funny feeling has a hole in it, water glurg glurging in, etc) with you. I will send prayers for your writing successes up with mine. You're a beautiful writer. Your writing should be read.

Annie said...

Maggie,
I hope it all works out, and soon. You are a wonderful writer, and your voice needs to be heard, through personal essay, poetry, nonfiction writing, short stories and novels. I wish there was a place now, for paying, freelance feature writing. Parenting magazines may be a venue, for your personal stories and researched articles. Another possibility is to hire yourself out for editing fiction or poetry, or ghost writing someone else's memoirs, advertising through your blog or a separate web site.

Elizabeth said...

I've been trying the same for ages. It's just so damn hard. I wish you luck doing it, though -- could you parlay your writing skills into something else -- like a non-profit foundation -- newsletters, etc.?

Hannah Stephenson said...

I am envisioning your success right now.

Caroline said...

I like Annie's suggestions. Since I'm not really a writer, I don't have any advice, but I do think advertising here on your blog is not a bad idea.
I am visualizing the day that I'm reading your novel and then I'm watching you on the Today Show talking about how great it feels to be a bestselling author. Hold that thought in your mind and that will help. :)
Prayers for you today in this--you DO deserve to be paid for what you write. I can't believe that we get to read it here for free.

Maggie May said...

Thanks for holding it up ladies xo

kelly louise said...

I definitely am in no position to hire you but I can't wait to read your novel.

Collin Kelley said...

Now THAT'S a resume. :)

Chaos and love said...

Hip Mama?
You have so much to offer.....may the offers cometh!!
Ohhh, and one of my fav movies :D
xo

Ida Mae said...

wishing you loads of work and fast! One of my all time favorite quotes, from a favorite movie!
~ida mae

Courtney said...

Sending good vibes for success + and ample paychecks your way.

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